Discover Boating, powered by MRAA and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), partnered with dozens of Instagram and TikTok content creators across the U.S. and Canada throughout summer to inspire the next generation of boaters to get on the water and enjoy the benefits of boating. From cruising and wakesurfing to fishing and sailing, influencers showed their followers how and why to experience the boating lifestyle with help from Discover Boating. The amount of engagements generated (likes, shares, comments, etc.) indicates the content was impactful and resonated with the influencers’ audiences.
Image supplied by NMMA.
Comments included:
“This all looks so fun! Thanks for sharing!” – @blairvmeeks
“Love this! Hopefully we can check it out one weekend!”- @morristosee
“Wake surfing is so much fun!!”- @madelynonthemove
“Ok funnnnn I need to try! I’ve been craving a boat day!” – @kate_trafford
“You’ve been out on the water this summer! I love it! That’s what I should be doing.” – @blackhikingqueen
• Expansion aligns two of the top dealership teams in New England behind one mission: Creating the ultimate boating experience
PORTLAND, MAINE – Sept. 5, 2023 – Port Harbor Marine, a multi-location boat dealership and marina operation based in South Portland, Maine, announced today that it has acquired Baert Marine of Middleton, Mass.
Rob Soucy, President, Port Harbor Marine
With both organizations celebrating 50 years in business, Port Harbor Marine President Rob Soucy says the purchase of Baert Marine provides the perfect alignment for Port Harbor’s growing organization.
“Baert Marine was a natural fit for us here at Port Harbor, as we not only expand our reach with the Grady-White Boats line, but we share the same values and focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience,” said Soucy. “We will continue to serve Baert Marine’s customers with the same level of customer service and industry leading products they have come to expect over the last 50 years.”
“Both Bill Baert and I are extremely proud of the 50-year legacy we leave behind with Baert Marine,” said Warren Kelly, President of Baert Marine. “We are proud of our award-winning team, the quality of service we consistently provide, and the incredible relationships we have developed with our customers. We are both extremely comfortable in turning the helm over to the Port Harbor Marine team, knowing they share the same employee-focused, customer-centric philosophy and will only build on the legacy we have built by simply ‘making fun on the water’ North of Boston.”
While Mr. Baert and Mr. Kelly are retiring with this transition, Port Harbor Marine expects to retain all Baert Marine employees and will continue to provide the industry leading customer experience that the Massachusetts market has come to expect from them.
Along with the acquisition, Port Harbor will become the new dealer for Sea Hunt Boats for all markets north of Boston. Along with the Grady-White and Sea Hunt brands, Key West and Cutwater Boats will also be offered at the Middleton location.
“Our mission at Port Harbor Marine has always been to create the ultimate boating experience by consistently providing products and services that exceed our customers’ expectations,” noted Soucy, “and this merger of two great teams will help us fulfill that mission for a larger customer base.”
About Port Harbor Marine: Port Harbor Marine is Northern New England’s premier boat dealership with 5 locations throughout Maine. An employee owned company, we currently employ 85 full-time and 25 part-time/seasonal employees. We have served boaters throughout New England for over 50 years offering sales, service, dockage, storage, rentals and our boat club. This is often a fast paced and exciting environment and due to the seasonality of the business it requires the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and multi-task regularly. We are all about providing the ultimate boating experience for our customers and are equally committed to our crewmembers. Positivity, a good sense of humor and ability to work with others is required. Our motto is “Just for Fun” and we expect our crews to promote our vision, mission and values.
Every year you work to grow your dealership. Chances are you’ve been successful at doing just that, coming off of a spectacular three-year run that featured fast-moving inventory and high demand.
However, the market is shifting, so now it’s time to pause and take a closer look at the cost of doing business. You do this to identify areas within your operation where you can reveal potential savings. Conserving cash in a softer market with surplus inventory and healthy-but-decreasing demand is the right thing to do for your employees and your business.
But it’s not always easy to take that 1,000-foot view of your business if you’re always deeply entwined within its roots. We get it.
That’s why the MRAA partners with companies like Bukaty for MRAA Health and Wells Fargo for credit card processing. These companies offer MRAA Members benefits in form of exclusive discounts on health care costs and credit card processing. Put simply, an annual review of healthcare costs can save your dealership thousands of dollars.
Depending on the size of your dealership and its workforce, Paycor Payroll Processing, an online payroll and HR software, can help you easily pay employees and eliminate your concerns about tax compliance while exploring ways to save you money. PartnerShip, offering you access to both inbound and outbound shipping and freight services, can save dealers in the U.S. and Canada anywhere from $500 to more than $10,000 per year on shipping!
Savings can also be seen when your dealership improves its efficiency. MRAA Partners like Rollick, Marine Dealer Technologies and the MRAA Virtual Business Development Center (in partnership with CSI, Inc.) can streamline your marketing, lead generation and follow-up processes, helping to reduce your team’s time commitment, but not its overall results.
As a business professional, it’s wise to examine your dealership’s expenses to help you reduce operational costs. Check out the MRAA Member Benefits page to find service providers that can help you improve efficiency and save money.
To discuss the potential saving offered by MRAA Member Benefits email me at jason@mraa.com.
As the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) continues to grow and work with all sectors of the industry, meshing directly with boat manufacturers is becoming an increasingly important method to engage new dealers. Presenting at dealer meetings is a great way for our team to meet potential members and highlight MRAA Membership benefits, while also fostering relationships with manufacturers and their integral dealer networks.
Avalon-Tahoe dealers hear from company leadership during day one of the dealer meeting.
Avalon Roots & Grassroots Advocacy Mike Sayre, MRAA Director of Government Relations, and I were invited to the annual Avalon-Tahoe dealer meeting held at the company’s headquarters in Alma, Mich. This presented us with a chance to educate Avalon-Tahoe dealers about the importance of advocacy and to call them to action. Our team produced three presentation for dealers, providing an in-depth overview of the MRAA’s government relations engagements and relaying the message that dealer voices reinforce grassroots advocacy.
Topics included how to lobby and get engaged in advocacy and government affairs, from important issues the MRAA has engaged on like the Federal Trade Commission “Auto Rule,” boating access restrictions and more. Throughout the week, we highlighted the importance of dealer engagement in advocacy, noting that dealers provide a unique voice in these conversations. We also encouraged non-members to join the MRAA and our existing members to grow their engagement.
Completed Avalon pontoon boats that just rolled off the production line were on hand for walk-arounds.
Stop, Collaborate & Listen The MRAA also collaborated with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) to address shared advocacy resources like BoatPAC and Boating United. Our united front reminded both dealers and manufacturers of the importance of advocacy while emphasizing the integral role dealers play in every advocacy scenario.
The dealer meeting included an opportunity to tour the Avalon-Tahoe plant and learn the intricacies of building high-performance pontoons. Avalon-Tahoe is one of the only vertically integrated pontoon manufacturers in the nation, as they build most of their own components, employing a staff of more than 400. From rolling out their own pontoons to sewing components onsite, the manufacturer is focused on bringing as much of the production in-house. To satisfy the wide variety of end users of Avalon-Tahoe pontoons, the company focuses on constructing high-quality pontoon boats at varying price points.
Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager, discusses the importance of advocacy with Avalon-Tahoe dealers.
A Win for the Industry The invitation to join the Avalon-Tahoe dealer show helped the MRAA advocacy team not only highlight our current efforts but also discuss advocacy contributions and commitments directly with dealers. That’s a win for boat dealers, a win for manufacturers and a win for the MRAA. Overall, the ability to connect on this level is a triumph for the marine industry.
MINNEAPOLIS – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) has launched its 2023 Service Management Survey to identify and benchmark industry averages and performance levels to help dealership service teams improve.
In today’s changing market, service departments need to operate at their optimal potential. Service, the unsung hero of a softer market, plays a pivotal role in generating cash flow, profits, customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty. Often, it’s service that keeps things afloat when sales are down.
To help dealerships harness the full potential of this powerhouse department, we invite them to complete this Service Management Survey. The deadline is Friday, Sept. 8, 2023.
Participating dealerships can closely inspect their operations and compare them against industry averages. An Executive Summary, reserved for survey contributors, helps dealerships to identify areas within their service operations that outpace the industry and also areas where they underperform. They can then take the next step and refine their processes and implement solutions to address their shortfalls.
Drew Mick
“This is a substantial opportunity for dealerships to contribute to an industry-wide study that will pay dividends to them in the form of analytical data and identifiable areas for growth,” says Drew Mick, MRAA Research Specialist. “Dealers can use this insight to enhance their service department, provide a better customer experience and magnify its impact on their business.”
Dealership feedback and participation help to strengthen service departments and enrich the customers’ service experience throughout the marine industry. Take the MRAA Service Management Survey. For more information, email Drew Mick.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
Throughout the summer, the Discover Boating team has been hard at work rolling out enhanced features and functionality on DiscoverBoating.com, making it easier for consumers to navigate the website, particularly from mobile devices, and providing a variety of digital touchpoints to connect the site’s visitors to NMMA members.
Recent DiscoverBoating.com enhancements include:
Refreshed Boat Type landing pages – a complete redesign of boat type pages to bring Manufacturer Referrals to the top of the page – making them the first thing consumers see when they land on the page.
Enhanced Boat Loan Calculator and tracking – updated features including a downpayment field and a chart that shows interest amounts, plus improved tracking on the calculator to monitor engagements and consumer input.
Canadian Dealer Finder – extending beyond the US Dealer Finder, Discover Boating launched this user friendly tool in Canada, where consumers can search via postal code, city or province; the team is tracking referrals to dealer websites and phone call clicks.
Progressive Safety Videos – Due to recent boating accidents on the rise, Discover Boating is doing its part to raise awareness on key safety issues. With Progressive as Discover Boating’s official safety partner, Discover Boating is highlighting the Progressive-Discover Boating safety video series in a variety of ways. In addition to the video series landing page, you can find these videos prominently featured on the site’s home page, within the DB TV section, and throughout relevant safety blog articles. And, on the horizon, Discover Boating will be introducing the official Progressive landing page highlighting the partnership.
Google Analytics 4 Integration – the Discover Boating team has adapted to Google’s everchanging ways by modernizing Analytics tracking to the most recent version – Google Analytics 4. With this integration, we’re able to enhance our user tracking capabilities across the website – tracking engagements, touchpoints and referrals to manufacturers, dealers, boat rentals and more.
Source: Discover Boating, powered by the NMMA and MRAA.
Last month, Discover Boating, in collaboration with Progressive Insurance, launched a television public service announcement (PSA) campaign to increase awareness of boating safety and provide resources for people looking to get started in boating. The PSAs, which feature videos from the Safety Basics Video Series as well as the See You Out Here “Anthem” spot, have generated more than $750,000 in donated media value within one month of distribution.
To date, the PSAs have aired more than 2,000 times across local, regional and national TV networks including ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX affiliates in top media markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia, driving nearly 13 million impressions. The videos are also airing on Connected TV (streaming platforms such as Apple TV and ROKU) and have a view through rate (VTR) of 99%, which is higher than the industry average of 89%, according to Connect360 Multimedia.
The videos are available to industry stakeholders in the Discover Boating Industry Resource Center, powered by NMMA and MRAA. Click HERE to download or embed the video content to share in your showroom, on your website, via your social network or in your next email campaign.
Recently, Governor Maura Healey signed the 2024 state budget, which included $150,000in funding for workforce development and career technical education initiatives within the recreational boating industry. This funding will continue the successful initiatives and progress that the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) has made over the last 5-plus years to help meet the workforce challenges within the industry.
The funds were introduced via Budget Amendments sponsored in the House by Representative William Straus of the 10th Bristol District and in the Senate by Senator Patrick O’Connor of the Plymouth & Norfolk District, joined in leadership by Representative Susan Gifford and Senator Paul Feeney, the four Co-Chairs of the 60-plus member Legislative Boating Caucus.
Bunker Hill Community College Outboard systems adult education program working in collaboration with Mercury.
The MMTA would like to express our appreciation to Representatives Straus and Gifford and Senators O’Connor and Feeney for their leadership on this budgetary funding. We would also like to thank the entire 60+ person boating caucus for their continued support of the recreational boating industry in Massachusetts. As well, we would also like to thank the six members of the 2024 budget Conference Committee: Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Representative Todd Smola, Chairman Michael Rodrigues, Senator Cindy Friedman, and Senator Patrick O’Connor. Last but certainly not least, thank you to Governor Healey for signing the final budget for the state and supporting workforce solutions within our industry.
Examples of how MMTA will use the workforce funding:
Support existing and new educational programs at various schools throughout the state; *Examples include Salem High School, New Bedford Tech, New Bedford High School, Cape Cod Regional Tech, Upper Cape Cod Tech, Whittier Tech, Worcester Tech, Bunker Hill Community College, Cape Cod Community College and more.
Provide financial assistance for employee training.
Provide financial assistance for Tools of the Trade Funding. This program provides $300 gift cards to Snap-On Tools for new or existing employees to help build their tool boxes to help in their current positions within the industry here in Massachusetts.
Continue marketing outreach and development to connect current and future workers with available jobs, such as through www.massboatingcareers.com and MMTA’s workforce videos.
Students and instructors within the Cape Cod Community College Introduction to Outboard Systems adult education program that works in collaboration with Yamaha.
The recreational boating industry in Massachusetts has an economic impact of approximately $5 billion dollars and employs approximately 20,000 men and women in the state. The industry is currently facing a substantial workforce shortage both in Massachusetts and on a national level. Here in Massachusetts, there are hundreds—if not thousands—of jobs currently available. We have the jobs & careers; we just need the people to fill them. This amendment will go a long way in continuing to help MMTA’s efforts on workforce solutions here in Massachusetts.
About MMTA Established in 1964, the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) is the non-profit statewide, representative body for approximately 1,000 marine trades businesses in the Commonwealth that employ approximately 20,000 men and women. The mission of the Association is to further the interests of the marine trades and the boating public through the promotion of boating, participation in legislation and professional improvement programs.
MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 17 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) has announced the Education Pathway Hosts for its annual Dealer Week Conference and Expo, held Dec. 4-7, in Tampa, Fla. Three highly talented, well-versed and driven speakers will lead their respective “classrooms,” offering insight, interacting with the audience and guiding attendees to take action in their effort to recalibrate for 2024 and achieve transformative growth through learning.
“We carefully chose hosts who have the skills and experience to not only serve as great facilitators and educators within their designated pathways but also to help our dealers create a realistic and effective plan of attack for the year ahead,” says Liz Walz, MRAA Vice President of Education. “That’s one reason why we have the confidence to guarantee our Dealer Week attendees will receive tactics, resources and expert advice they can take home and implement in their businesses immediately.”
Marcus Sheridan
Meet Marcus Sheridan — Leadership Pathway Host A highly sought-after international keynote speaker, experienced retailer and passionate boater, Marcus Sheridan is known for his unique ability to excite, engage and motivate audiences. Forbes named Sheridan “One of 20 Speakers You Don’t Want to Miss.” He has been dubbed a “Web Marketing Guru” by New York Times and featured in Inc., The Globe and Mail, Forbes and many more.
Sheridan, who was a host last year and has a long history of high dealer ratings for his MRAA conference education, will also present an educational session dubbed “How to Fix Breakdowns in Dealership Communications” within the Dealer Week Leadership Pathway. He will provide dealers with implementable solutions and proven tactics to improve company culture, team participation and employee retention, while also enhancing their team’s problem-solving abilities.
As an owner of IMPACT, Sheridan has established one of the most successful digital sales and marketing agencies in the country. Within his speaking company, an MRAA Platinum Partner, Marcus Sheridan International, Inc., he gives over 70 global keynotes annually where he inspires audiences in the area of sales, marketing, leadership and communication. Mashable rated his book, They Ask, You Answer, the “#1 Marketing Book,” and Forbes listed it as one of “11 Marketing Books Every CMO Should Read.”
Valerie Ziebron
Meet Valerie Ziebron — Service & Parts Pathway Host Valerie Ziebron is a leading industry expert and top-rated speaker. You may have read her articles, seen her present, or had her pop into your dealership in search of “Golden Nugget Best Practices” to help marine businesses get more proactive and profitable.
Ziebron, as part of the Service & Parts Pathway, will host her own session called “Get on the A-List for Premium Service Success.” This live course will help dealers identify areas of improvement, uncover premium service qualities and understand how becoming an A-List shop benefits everyone at the dealership.
In 1989, she started VRZ Consulting, an MRAA Platinum Partner, and has since worked with hundreds of clients, big and small, to increase CSI and profitability as well as job enjoyment. Ziebron has delivered thousands of presentations for dealers and their Original Equipment Manufacturer partners. She makes a special study of what a dealership can do to “flip the switch from Reactive to Proactive” with the firm belief that to be profitable, you must be proactive.
Bob McCann
Meet Bob McCann — Sales & Marketing Pathway Host Bob McCann, Lead MRAA Certification Consultant, says dealers are working through a changing market and he is looking forward to helping Dealer Week 2023 participants tap into the Sales and Marketing Pathway education to meet those challenges. McCann has enjoyed the boat business for 24 years as an innovative marketer and educator applying his sales method known as TIPS (Traffic, Interactive Website, Process and Sales).
He is delighted to host the Sales and Marketing Pathway and welcome dealers to his hometown of 53 years. When not working with dealers on their processes through the MRAA Certification program, McCann can be found riding his road bike around Tampa Bay and boating in the surrounding waters with his wife Carol.
“I’ve been looking forward to this opportunity since I piloted the role years ago,” says McCann. “After years of speaking to dealers to help them sell more boats, I’m looking forward to engaging with the experts selected this year and helping them focus and go deep on their topic to ensure the participants depart with tangible actions items for immediate improvement. Inspiring dealers to commit to improvement is immensely enjoyable and rewarding in and of itself.”
Register today for MRAA’s Dealer Week 2023 and take advantage of early bird savings.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
SOUTHPORT, CONN. – Boat Fix, a recreational boating telematics company that provides a combination of remote monitoring, GPS tracking, sophisticated geofencing and 24/7 live customer support, announced today it has partnered with Bentley Pontoons to launch its Bentley 24/7 Assurance program, which will be included on purchases of all 2024 model year boats.
Bentley 24/7 Assurance, powered by Boat Fix, offers new Bentley owners a complimentary three-year mechanical help line, providing around-the-clock assistance by mechanics with 30-plus years of experience who have a proven 86% fix rate by phone. The mechanical help line is an instantly accessible resource for any time, especially when the dealership is closed on weekends, holidays and after hours. With help just a call away, owners can enjoy safe, secure, stress-free boating.
In addition, Bentley Pontoons’ dealership network will have access to a dynamic Bentley 24/7 Assurance app Powered by Boat Fix and dealers will have the opportunity to become a distribution channel for the app-based remote monitoring service. As the only remote monitoring company in the boating industry backed by 24/7 alarm and customer support, Boat Fix has partnered with Bentley Pontoons to provide the launchpad for this service through the Boat Fix Command and Control Center based in Southport, Connecticut.
“In a market where building brand loyalty is increasingly vital, the Bentley and Boat Fix partnership showcases two forward-looking companies who understand how important it is to take care of the customer,” said Alastair Crawford, Founder, Boat Fix. “The Boat Fix team answers every phone call in seconds, in person, each and every time. We’re excited to work with Bentley Pontoons, who share in our vision and the importance of looking after their clients through the incredible value and peace of mind that Boat Fix delivers.”
“One of the main advantages of Boat fix is the data and the resources of our Command and Control Center,” said Steve Pitsos, CEO, Boat Fix. “We don’t just promise a better boating experience, we back it up with proven technology that no one else in the industry has access to. We are confident that both Bentley owners and their dealer network are going to be thrilled with the Boat Fix experience.”
“Offering this level of after sales service to the boat owner and dealers is an industry first in the pontoon market,” said Ryan Marcott, President, Bentley Pontoons. “Bentley 24/7 Assurance will ensure that our customers are taken care of around-the-clock, and all of our dealerships are supported by a seamless 24/7 operation.”
For more information, visit www.boatfix.com.
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About Boat Fix: Boat Fix is a leading telematics service for boat owners that ensures a stress-free boating experience, including pro-active technical assistance, straightforward vessel management, and security. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Connecticut, Boat Fix has the industry’s only 24/7 service centers in the U.S. and Europe. Using the latest in IoT software, Boat Fix’s team continues to develop the best technology to provide unrivaled customer service.
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