Lake Havasu Gathering Promotes Boating Advocacy, Education

Recently, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Lake Havasu Marine Association (LHMA) met with elected officials from the Arizona State Legislature and the Lake Havasu City community to discuss various recreational boating priorities and highlight the impact recreational boating has on the local Lake Havasu City economy.

Lake Havasu City, Ariz., lies on the shores of Lake Havasu, a popular boating destination that draws in boaters from all around the state as well as California and Nevada. Boating events like the Desert Storm Poker Run, Lake Havasu Boat Show and various other happenings are held on the lake. Lake Havasu is known for its clear water, abundant fisheries, terrific boating and the vibrant-and-supportive recreational boating community. 

Gathering Lake Havasu Boater Education MRAA
Mark Curry, President, Just 4 Fun Powersports, provided a pontoon boat for the on-the-water tour of Lake Havasu.

This Lake Havasu event kicked off with a pontoon ride with Representative Leo Biasiucci (R-30), a Lake Havasu native who represents District 30 in the Arizona House of Representatives. The boat ride was made possible by Just 4 Fun Powersports President Mark Curry, an MRAA Member who has operated in Lake Havasu for more than 8 years and is a resolute supporter of MRAA Advocacy.  

“The entire Just 4 Fun Powersports Team is passionate about the lake and the people that boat on it,” said Curry. “We see the frustrations that first time boat owners and veterans alike experience that is most often a result of lack of boating experience or lack of experience on a new boat they may have just purchased. We believe the importance of good boating training — whether it is during a delivery orientation or giving them an opportunity to take an online course — is on par with having quality service after the sale. It is a measurable importance.”

While touring the lake, the group highlighted several opportunities for Biasiucci such as needed recreational boating infrastructure repairs, issues with competing user groups and opportunities to increase state-funded education to strengthen boater safety. Our group also shared the magnitude of Arizona’s recreational boating industry, which contributes $2.2 billion to the state, has more than 125,000 registered boats and supports more than 7,000 jobs at 239 businesses.

“Aside from being the lifeblood of our community, this lake represents the heritage of many of our founding families and lifetimes of memories for many others,” said Rick Riegler, Executive Director, LHMA. “We’ll do everything we can to preserve the beauty and vibrance of Lake Havasu for the enjoyment of generations to come.”

After touring the lake, we attended a small reception at the London Bridge Resort where Cal Sheehy, the Lake Havasu City Mayor, Lake Havasu City Council members, Mohave County Sheriff Department officers and local dealers gathered to discuss recreational boating issues on Lake Havasu as well as collaborative opportunities and improvements. Because Lake Havasu is one of the busiest lakes in Arizona, boater education was also a major focal point.

Gathering Lake Havasu Boating Education
(From left) Rick Riegler, LHMA President, Representative Leo Biasiucci, Rachel Fischer, NMMA Western Policy and Engagement Manager and Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager, toured Lake Havasu, one of Arizona’s most popular recreational boating destinations.

“It was a wonderful experience being in Lake Havasu City, seeing all the boating opportunities the city has to offer and talking to locals and government representation about how impactful boating is for the area,” said Rachel Fischer, Western Policy and Engagement Manager, NMMA. “We want to continue protecting boating access while advancing boating safety and education across Arizona. Getting the opportunity to talk about these topics helps us localize issues as the state legislature moves towards the 2024 session.”

Our get-together at the lake reinforced the ongoing need for cooperation between businesses, law enforcement, user groups and state and local government to ensure Lake Havasu remains a top boating destination in the West. These connections help pave the way for a successful 2024 legislative session in Phoenix, where the recreational boating industries and its allies will again be advocating for infrastructure funding to fix boat ramps and improve recreational access in the state. We can then continue conversations about boater education with legislators to create safe experiences for everyone on Arizona’s lakes and rivers.

Boating advocacy and events like this are integral to highlighting the importance of boating and our industry to local elected officials and others within the community. Making the effort to build these relationships is priceless, as you never know when you might need them. If you are interested in hosting an event like this, or engaging in MRAA advocacy email me at chad@mraa.com, or Mike Sayre (sayre@mraa.com), MRAA Government Relations Director.

Move More Inventory

• How simple changes to your inventory listings can garner more prospect attention, sell more boats and generate more cash flow.

By Drew Mick, MRAA Research Specialist

Headshot image of MRAA Data Specialist Drew Mick in a collared blue shirt at Top Golf
Drew Mick

Excess inventory. For many, this is a painful reality. But what if a few strategic steps could turn that around?

In the fast-paced world of boat sales, capturing customer attention is the first crucial step towards boosting sales figures. Yet, often, we find ourselves not giving our inventory listings the spotlight they deserve. It’s time to start a new movement – an “Inventory Movement” Movement, if you will – to change how we think of our listings.

Consider this: A study done by Boats Group on YachtWorld delved into the impact of visual content on generating leads. The results were eye-opening. Boat listings featuring 11 to 25 photos garnered the most leads. This statistic alone underscores the power of presentation in driving sales success.

Move More Inventory - Yacht World graphic
Graphic courtesy of Boats Group, an MRAA Strategic Partner

With this in mind, we present the following tips to elevate your boat inventory listing game. These actionable steps are designed to breathe new life into your listings, attracting customers and maximizing sales potential.

Let’s march forward into the world of optimizing boat inventory listings and unleash their true potential. Your next sale might be just a click away.

  1. Pictures: It has already been established that 11-25 picture for your listings is that sweet spot. But what else can you be doing to enhance those visuals? According to an article written by Boats Group titled “How to Improve Your Listing Score,” it is important that your pictures are of the highest quality possible, which starts with the camera you are using. Be sure your settings are set to the high resolution for HD-quality images. And of course, the first image shown should be the best picture you have of the boat, displaying the whole unit and at the best angle.

  2. Video: The YachtWorld study also suggested at least 1 video per listing. Typically, this would be a walkaround video. Furthermore, this might be an area that is worth thinking about differently. Can you get this boat out on the water for some action shots? Potential buyers might appreciate a look into how it runs. Is there an opportunity to be upfront with them about the flaws? Marcus Sheridan recently had a newsletter post titled “The Secret to Gaining IMMEDIATE Trust Online” where he talked about how he recently bought a new van. The short of it is, he bought the van without having seen it in person based solely on the fact that the video began by displaying the flaws first. This illustrated immediate candor and helped to fill in what Marcus called the “Trust Gap.” It helped Marcus drop any defenses and hesitation he had because it cut right to it. This way of outside-the-box thinking may be worth considering for your pre-owned boat listings.

  3. Detail: When it comes to the writing on your listings, there is no room for error. That earlier article by Boats Group stated how vital it is to list all basic details about the boat. What class is it? What about the HIN? The engine hours? Are there any important deadlines that need to be expressed such as “Limited time offer” or “Only while supplies last?” Everything a buyer might want to know should be there at a glance, even the price. Showing the price, rather than a “Call for Price” option has been shown to lead to more traffic. This all may seem like the basics, but it’s extremely important and cannot be stated enough.

  4. Description: According to Samantha Scott, APR in her presentation “Closing the Deal: Moving Inventory Through Positioning and Promotion,” be sure to paint a picture in your listing’s descriptions. Tell them how close they are to a lake time vacation. Ask them to imagine themselves soaking in the sun from the deck of their new boat. Be excited, and the customer will be excited right back. Don’t forget to explain why features are beneficial. Finally, and most importantly, you must use searchable keywords. Put yourself in the prospect’s shoes, and ask yourself “what words would I type into a search engine to find my perfect boat?” This harkens back to being detailed in your descriptions as well. If you do this, your listings will be sure to pop to the top of any search engine.

Rethinking your inventory listing approach holds the key to transformative sales outcomes. Through the inclusion of captivating visuals and strategic presentation, your listings gain the ability to unlock untapped potential, effectively capturing attention and driving sales. By incorporating these subtle adjustments and additions into your listings, you enhance their visibility, increasing the likelihood of your inventory finding its rightful place in the hands of your loyal customers.

Hey Drew!
How have you altered your dealership’s inventory listings? Got any success stories to share? Let me know, by dropping me an email at drew@mraa.com.

MRAA, Outdoor Recreation Leaders Back Bill to Bolster Rural Communities, Outdoor Recreation Economy

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 13 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) and leading outdoor recreation organizations are backing Senator Michael Bennet and Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury’s newly-introduced Rural Outdoor Investment (ROI) Act. This bill provides much-needed support for rural communities seeking to build and plan for recreation economies.

If passed, the ROI Act’s funding is ideally timed. Outdoor recreation participation skyrocketed during the pandemic as millions of Americans flocked toward local and federal public lands and waters. For the gateway communities alongside these treasured destinations, this new interest presents excellent opportunities for economic diversification and stability, as well as new challenges to manage around stewardship, housing and visitor management. The ROI Act would direct resources to help communities strategically integrate outdoor recreation into their plans.

“As evidenced by the hundreds of rural communities who have applied for federal technical assistance to support economic development through outdoor recreation in recent years, as well as the unprecedented numbers of Americans flocking to the outdoors, we have an outstanding opportunity to meet the moment through the Rural Outdoor Investment Act,” said Jessica Wahl Turner, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable President. “The ROI Act is aptly named as it will help bring rural communities a big return on outdoor recreation investments in the form of social, economic and environmental benefits for locals and visitors alike.”

The ROI Act will provide:

  • $30 million for public works through the Economic Development Administration (EDA). To fund necessary infrastructure improvements from signage to boat ramps and new trails.
  • $5 million for grants through EDA for communities to create recreation economy plans that optimize their natural spaces including marketing, branding, business development, fundraising and tourism management.
  • $2.5 million in university partnerships to promote place-based research, education and technical assistance to local stakeholders and businesses for this high-growth sector.
  • $12.5 million for the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) grants program for main street revitalization through outdoor recreation.
Jeff Strong, MRAA Board Chair

“The Rural Outdoor Investment Act will create common-sense changes to pre-existing programs and direct money to communities to help bolster and grow their outdoor recreation economies,” says Jeff Strong, MRAA Board Chair and President, Strong’s Marine. “From additional funding to improve boat ramps to money aimed at helping communities’ market their recreational offerings, this bill will benefit the recreational boating industry, boaters and anglers and rural communities alike.”

Read more about the ROI Act here. Read the full ROI Act bill language here.

If you have further questions, email Mike Sayre, MRAA Director of Government Relations or Chad Tokowicz, Government Relations Manager.

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.

MRAA Educational Foundation Releases Call for 2023 Scholarships, Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year Award

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 13 – The MRAA Educational Foundation has announced the call for nominations and applications for the 2023 Annual Scholarships and the 2023 Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year Award. Scholarship recipients and the award winner will be presented this December at MRAA’s Dealer Week Conference and Expo in Tampa, Fla. Award information and applications may be found at the MRAA Educational Foundation website.

The educational scholarships are intended to financially assist career development for marine industry professionals. The Darlene Briggs Award is given annually to an outstanding woman who is actively involved in the marine industry at any level. The deadline to submit a scholarship or award nomination/application is Friday, Oct. 13.

“In a diligent effort to grow and maintain a more robust workforce for our dealers, the MRAA Education Foundation scholarships adapt to meet the current and future needs within the marine industry,” said Jeff Siems, MRAA Educational Foundation President. “The scholarships play a vital role as supportive elements within our mission to expand the workforce and continually improve the boating industry.”

Online applications and nominations are being accepted for the Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship and Kevin Lodder Scholarship. Marine Trades Associations can also apply for the Foundation’s Marine Trades Association Scholarship.

The prestigious Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award is open for application submissions and nominations for women within the boating industry. The annual award, continuously presented each year since 1987 and sponsored by MRAA and Boating Industry, recognizes an outstanding woman in the industry who is making a difference, no matter her position within the company.

Click the links below to learn more about each of these offerings and to nominate or apply:

About MRAA Educational Foundation
A nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization, the MRAA Educational Foundation has awarded more than 85 scholarships and awards collectively worth more than $194,000 over the past 18 years.  Donations from independent donors and corporate partners make all scholarships provided by the MRAA Educational Foundation possible. To learn more about donating, or to find more information about the MRAA Educational Foundation, visit www.marineedfoundation.org.

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.

MRAA Celebrates Record-Breaking Number of New Partner Memberships

MINNEAPOLIS, — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announces the addition of 15 new Partner Members in August, establishing an all-time high for a single month.

MRAA Partner Member logo in white square

Marine manufacturers, suppliers and service providers, through Partner Membership, commit to aligning their brands with the programs and opportunities that MRAA offers in its efforts to fuel the success of the marine industry. Support from Partners allows the Association to expand its offerings and create a positive, long-term impact on MRAA members’ business.

  • 50 State DMV, Las Cruces, N.M., is a trusted resource for out-of-state title and registration processing across the nation.
  • Accelerate2Compliance, St. Louis Park, Minn., was founded to help small- and medium-sized businesses protect themselves from the risks associated with cyber security attacks, personal information leaks and non-compliance.
  • Bob’s Machine, Tampa, Fla., has brought quality and innovation to the jack plate market since 1978.
  • Capone & Associates, Wilmington, N.C., serves its clients’ finances clearly and confidently with bookkeeping, financial planning, forensic and M&A accounting and exit strategies.
  • Dealership Performance 360 CRM, Wilsonville, Ore., produces CRMs that line up with dealerships’ best practices, and is supported by a team of dedicated experts to guide dealers every step of the way.
  • Defiance Boats, Bremerton, Wash., uses only the finest in composite materials to assemble the ultimate sportfishing machine.
  • Everglades Boats, Edgewater, Fla., builds performance fishing boats with patented features, quality craftsmanship and innovations that are “intelligent by design.”
  • ezDrive Thrusters, Coral Gables, Fla., constructs external boat thrusters that are designed specifically for active wake surfing, wakeboard, watersports, and more.
  • GatorStep, Lenoir City, Tenn., manufactures premium boat flooring and decking, adding a layer of comfort, style, and customization to boats.
  • Highfield Boats USA, Ball Ground, Ga., focuses on performance and strength when constructing its offshore high-performance RIBs.   
  • Power-Pole by JL Marine Systems, Inc., Tampa, Fla., manufactures peak-performing trolling motors.
  • Red Oak Inventory Finance, Alpharetta, Ga., is a one-stop shop for inventory and retail finance needs.
  • Spectrum Color, Augustine, Fla., creates specialty gel coat protection for every kind of boat on the market.
  • Varatti Boats, McGregor, Minn., designs its boats for all watersports and programmatically adds them to its software, affirming the tagline “Varatti is Variety.”
  • Wet Sounds, Rosenberg, Texas, brings a level of performance, style and durability to the audio industry that’s designed to be heard in the toughest environments.

“The MRAA has never-before seen so many companies sign on as Partner Members in a single month,” says Allison Gruhn, MRAA Vice President of Business Development. “We are overjoyed to see such a variety of industries supporting our cause as well as exhibiting at Dealer Week this year. Thanks to the commitment from these organizations, the MRAA is able to strengthen our resources, educational offerings, advocacy efforts and coordination of Dealer Week and the dealer meetings that are hosted there. For our retail members, make sure to stop by and visit these new partners while you are at Dealer Week 2023!”

To view the complete list of all MRAA Partners at every level, click here.

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.

Discover Boating Content Creators Inspire Next Gen Boaters to Spend Time on the Water

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

Recent Instagram and TikTok posts:

If you have questions regarding Discover Boating’s influencer partnership program, please contact NMMA’s Maggie Maskery at mmaskery@nmma.org.

Port Harbor Marine Acquires Baert Marine

• 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.

Lower Your Expenses with MRAA Member Benefits

By Jason Walz, MRAA Director of Programs

Image of MRAA Director of Programs Jason Walz in blue shirt at MRAA's MN headquarters
Jason Walz, MRAA

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.

MRAA Advocacy Engages Avalon-Tahoe Dealers

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.

Boat dealers in conference room learning about 2024 models from boat manufacturer.
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.

Pontoon boats sit in Avalon production facility for dealers to tour at 2024 Avalon-Tahoe dealer meeting in Michigan.
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.

Bearded man speaking to audience about importance of advocacy in boating during presentation.
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.

MRAA Launches Service Management Study

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.

Headshot image of MRAA Data Specialist Drew Mick in a collared blue shirt at Top Golf
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.