Record-Breaking Numbers: Outdoor Recreation a Whopping $862B Industry According to New Government Data

WASHINGTON, D.C. — November 9 — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has released economic data for 2021 exhibiting outdoor recreation’s powerful and positive economic impact on the U.S. economy. These new numbers show outdoor recreation generates $862 billion in economic output and 4.5 million jobs. This means the outdoor recreation economy contributes more to the U.S. economy than oil and gas extraction, mining, and agriculture. The report includes national and state level data.

This is the fifth consecutive year that BEA has released government data on this critical industry sector. Today’s releaseshows how the outdoor industry, which played a vital economic and social role throughout the pandemic, has since sustained remarkable growth, and continued to bolster local economies. The outdoor recreation economy came back stronger than ever after the COVID-19 pandemic and remains a steady source of strength nationally and a booming job creator locally. 

Key highlights from the 2021 data on the outdoor recreation economy:

  • $862 billion in economic output;
  • 1.9% of GDP;
  • 4.5 million jobs;
  • Trips and travel coming back, record sales in many outdoor segments, manufacturing increasing, as well as the drive to continue to recreate for quality of life allowed our industry to bounce back from the effects of COVID-19 in 2020.

“The BEA data underscores how important it is to invest in public lands, waters and recreation infrastructure from coast to coast and for recreation activities of all types,” said Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR). “From the creation of jobs and increased profit for small businesses in local economies, to larger boons to our national economy, this sector is a consistent driver, even in times of economic uncertainty. The strength of the outdoor recreation economy reflects what many in the industry have long known to be true: there are infinite benefits that come from more people spending time outdoors, and they’ll only grow with continued investment.”

“We have seen record growth in camping and boating over the past couple years, with millions of people enjoying RVs and boats to connect with family and friends, to relax and recharge, and to experience nature,” said Michael Happe, President and CEO of Winnebago Industries. “The record economic impact in the BEA numbers demonstrates the collective power of our industry to help people discover and experience the tremendous benefits of the outdoor lifestyle. We continue to welcome an increasingly diverse group of new participants, so we look forward to maintaining this momentum by developing recreation infrastructure and increasing access for all.”

“The latest BEA numbers are a testament to the power of outdoor recreation, and we are thrilled to see our industry’s economic impact grow,” said Chris Metz, CEO of Vista Outdoor Inc., the parent company of 41 outdoor and sporting product brands. “This data shows that people continued to venture into the outdoors for health, wellness and adventure in record numbers last year as businesses across the industry worked to expand participation and bring more people into the outdoors. The goal now: Build on that momentum. We will stay focused on increasing access to public lands, building more recreation infrastructure and growing participation across all outdoor activities.”

“This data solidifies what we have seen over our sixty-year history – that there is intrinsic value in the outdoors,” said Toby O’Rourke, President and CEO of Kampgrounds of America, Inc. “Over 20 million new households started camping since 2020 with six in ten planning to continue. We are increasingly seeing camping and the outdoors vacation becoming a preferred form of travel. The economic impact of camping and the greater outdoor industry underscores how critical natural spaces are to our communities.  And, even more importantly, the outdoors remain vital for overall health and well-being and in fostering connection to others.”

“The continued strength of the outdoor economy is no surprise to the marine industry, where we continue to see incredible growth with new and younger customers taking to our brands each year,” said Chris Drees, President of Mercury Marine, the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. “We will continue to work closely with our partners in the outdoor recreational community to promote the benefits of being on the water.”

“Last year proved to be a year like no other for the outdoor recreation industry, and today’s Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account data release underscores the fact that boating and time spent on our nation’s waterways is a favorite American pastime,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and current Board Chair of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR). “Since 2020, the recreational boating and fishing industry and outdoor recreation economy at-large has led a national recovery, welcoming millions of families to experience the considerable health benefits of the great outdoors while being a vital economic contributor and job creator.” 

To see what the recreation community is saying, click here.

America’s outdoor recreation community, represented by ORR, continues to support the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) – the project compiling and releasing this data. Just like is the case for many other industries, the goal is to provide annual data on the economic importance of national and regional outdoor recreation economies that can be tracked for years to come. To learn more about ORR and outdoor recreation’s contributions to the economy, click here.

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The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable  is the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations representing the $862 billion outdoor recreation economy. ORR focuses on the growth of outdoor recreation by building a better environment for the sustainable growth of outdoor recreation businesses and driving a broader understanding of the value of the outdoor recreation economy. Our membership includes national outdoor trade association members, business entities, nonprofit organizations, and universities — serving more than 110,000 businesses and representing America’s, boating, fishing, RVing, biking, hiking, camping, hunting, motorized, diving, horseback, and skiing communities among many more.

Dealer Week is Less Than 1 Month Away

• Annual MRAA Conference & Expo Runs Dec. 5-8 in Austin, Texas

MINNEAPOLIS, Tuesday, Nov. 8 – The countdown to the largest annual marine dealer education event is on, with less than a month until the kickoff of Dealer Week 2022 on Monday, Dec. 5, in Austin, Texas. Dealer Week is hosted each year by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and brings together boat retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, service providers and more professionals for a conference and expo dedicated to helping retailers – and, by extension, the industry — succeed in 2023 and beyond.

Registration has been tracking at record-setting levels leading up to the event. For those who are curious what’s driving all the interest, we’ve put together an overview of some of the highlights you can expect.

Economic Updates

Get the latest projections on where the economy is headed in 2023. Multiple experts will provide insights, including a Wells Fargo economist who will help kick off the conference during the Opening Ceremony.

Dealer Week 2022 theme
MRAA’s Dealer Week 2022 theme is “http://www.dealerweek.comDiscipline Amidst Disruption.”

A Focus on ‘Discipline Amidst Disruption’

The theme for Dealer Week 2022 is all about controlling the things you can in an unprecedented (and unpredictable) marketplace. Topics include customer experience, employee retention, high-performance teams, time management and much more.

Historic Expo Hall

See the latest models from a wide selection of manufacturers and meet with partners who are dedicated to dealer success. The Expo Hall at Dealer Week, the most-packed in history this year, is built around the education sessions because the exhibitors come prepared to be educational partners for the dealership attendees.

Networking Receptions

Dealer Week is hosted in December because it’s the only time of year attendees report they can take a moment to gather with their peers and focus completely on the business. As a result, the networking receptions often generate as many great ideas as the education sessions. This year will feature more opportunities to get together, including a Women in the Industry meetup in the Expo Hall hosted by Soundings Trade Only (and featuring a special themed cocktail) as well as other special drinks from partners like Pineapple Payments (you can take a guess what their themed drink includes).

MRAA Industry Celebration at Dealer Week 2022

Groovy Industry Celebration

To honor MRAA’s 50th anniversary, we are turning the clock back to 1972, the year the association was founded by boat dealers. A ‘70s-themed celebration — open to all Dealer Week attendees and made possible by KICKER Marine Audio — will feature food, drinks and a few surprises.  

To see a complete rundown of the event, and to register, go to DealerWeek.com. Hotel information is also available, but reservations are recommended soon as hotel blocks at some nearby hotels have already sold out.

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About Dealer Week

For 50 years, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has delivered world-class educational programming to dealers, retailers and service operations that power the boating industry and serve today’s boaters. Dealer Week exists to engage, energize and empower the dealer community. The MRAA envisions a brighter future for marine retail, and Dealer Week is the preeminent means for bringing that vision to life. Learn more at DealerWeek.com.

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.

Correct Craft Acquires Indmar Marine Engines

MILLINGTON, TN (Nov. 7, 2022) – Today, Correct Craft announced the acquisition of Indmar Marine Engines, a pioneer and leader in the inboard marine engine segment with a hard-earned reputation for delivering world-class quality and reliability. Indmar will be operated by Correct Craft subsidiary Liberty Technologies which also manages PCM Engines, Crusader Engines, Levitator Engines, and Velvet Drive Transmissions.

While an important new member of Correct Craft’s portfolio of brands, Indmar will continue to operate independently, retaining its own brand and team members. Indmar will remain operating from its world headquarters in Millington, TN, while continuing to supply its boat-building manufacturers and network of dealers.

Graphic of Indmar engines with Correct Craft logo
Indmar Marine Engines acquired by Correct Craft.

For over half a century, Indmar has been focused on the future, introducing new innovations and technologies that have enabled the sport and the industry to progress and grow. From the early adoption of fuel-injected engines to the introduction of green technologies that reduce exhaust emissions, Indmar has embraced opportunities to make its products better, improving the environment and the lives of boating enthusiasts and families across the world.

Chuck Rowe, former President of Indmar Marine Engines, commented, “I am proud of the company and brand that our family has built. The acquisition by Correct Craft provides significant opportunities for long-term growth while continuing to build and honor my family’s legacy; However, most importantly, the acquisition with Correct Craft provides additional security and opportunity for our employees, boat building partners, and network of dealers.” Rowe added, “There could not be a better company to sell our business to than Correct Craft. The values and culture of Correct Craft are one-of-a-kind, and I know Indmar is in good hands.”

Liberty Technologies President Mark McKinney stated, “We are excited to welcome the Indmar team into our Liberty Technologies family.” McKinney added, “The Rowe family has done an extraordinary job of leading Team Indmar and making outstanding advancements in the inboard marine industry. Though Chuck Rowe’s shoes will be hard to fill, I am excited about the opportunity to continue the legacy of Indmar and to work with the team to support and provide additional features, products, and opportunities that will elevate Indmar and their OEMs to new heights.”

Bill Yeargin,
Correct Craft CEO

CEO of Correct Craft, Bill Yeargin, stated, “I am tremendously happy to have Indmar join us as a part of the Correct Craft family. Chuck and his father have built a phenomenal company that resulted in both men’s induction into the Marine Industry Hall of Fame. I appreciate the trust they have placed in our team, and we will do our best to meet and exceed their expectations.”

Yeargin added, “Indmar has a strong team whom we respect greatly. We are excited to continue providing Indmar’s customers with products well beyond what we can imagine. We are looking forward to an exciting future!”


About Indmar Marine Engines

Indmar is the world’s largest privately held manufacturer of gasoline-powered inboard marine engines. Indmar has a pedigree going back nearly 51 years in the inboard marine industry and a proud tradition of pointing the way forward. Indmar was the first inboard manufacturer to deliver fuel injection, and custom-calibrated engines and the first to produce an inboard engine with a catalyzed exhaust, which is now the industry standard. Today, this legendary brand delivers an inimitable mix of unrivaled performance, meticulous craftsmanship, and ground-breaking innovations – charting a course for others to follow.  Indmar operates advanced manufacturing facilities in the U.S. with distribution centers in Millington, TN, Merced, CA and Clarkston, WA. For more information, please visit www.indmar.com


About Correct Craft

Celebrating 97 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. Focused on “Making Life Better,” the Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, Indmar Marine Engines, Velvet Drive Transmissions, Watershed Innovation and Aktion Parks. For more information, please visit www.correctcraft.com

Marketing to Current Marine Customers

• 5 Tips to Help Your Dealership Succeed in Marketing to Existing Customers from Boatline

By Lori Stacy, CEO of Trader Interactive

Today’s consumer buying environment is more competitive than ever, which is why retaining loyal customers is key. To keep up in this space, you may have to adjust current marketing strategies to better appeal to your existing marine consumers.

Here are five tips to help your dealership succeed in today’s digital marketing landscape and remain top of mind with consumers.

1. Personalize the Buying Experience

Now more than ever, customers are seeking a personalized buying experience from dealers, both in person and online. In fact, a 2017 Epsilon survey found that among respondents ages 18-64, 80 percent indicated that they’re more likely to do business with a company if it offers personalized experiences. Tailored buying experiences can be used throughout a shopper’s buying journey, from start to finish, to better retain existing customers.

Start by reaching out to current customers for their feedback. This can come in the form of online reviews, incentivized surveys and more. For example, Boatline recently surveyed marine consumers about electric boats, who let us know that the most effective marketing strategies to overcome their reluctance around electric boats would be hearing electric boat owner testimonials (43 percent) and reading informative articles (42 percent).

When used effectively, this feedback can optimize your sales tactics and customer service efforts. You can also create personalized promotions based on the information you collect from in-person and online shoppers, as they browse your dealership’s website. Use this feedback to analyze the most popular brands and types of watercrafts that your consumers are interested in to create more effective marketing and promotional campaigns.

Lori Stacy, CEO Trader Interactive
Lori Stacy

2. Establish a Loyalty Program

If you have consistent buyers, reward them for their loyalty to your dealership. According to research from Bond, 79 percent of consumers say loyalty programs make them more likely to continue doing business with brands. Some of the most effective loyalty programs use a tiered system, allowing customers to receive rewards depending on how much they spend at your dealership. These rewards can range from discounts on service offerings to free gifts and related marine products. The more they buy, the bigger reward they’ll receive.

As you roll out your own loyalty program, make sure the language is clear for customers to easily understand. Too much fine print could decrease interest. You can promote your loyalty program to customers in person and in any sales or service collateral, such as online ads and email newsletters.

3. Develop Quality Content

Content is king in marketing, and producing engaging and quality content can set your dealership apart and keep your customers interested. This content can range anywhere from blog posts to videos to podcasts.

Blog articles are a great, free way to add content to your dealership’s website. In fact, companies with blogs generate an average of 67 percent more monthly leads than companies that don’t blog. Write about topics that are helpful to marine shoppers, such as new model releases or maintenance guidelines. Blog posts don’t need to be too long to see results. For a sampling of marine blog posts, check out Boatline’s blog.

The written word isn’t the only medium you can use to create quality content. Capture the attention of your existing customers by adding video walkarounds to your inventory listings. This allows shoppers to get an up-close look at for-sale inventory that could be theirs. You can also use video to promote your current sales and promotional campaigns, as well as offerings from your service department.

4. Use Social Media Platforms

Social media is an excellent way to reach consumers in a way that’s convenient to them. Consumers of all ages, from 16 to 64, spend anywhere from one to three hours a day on social media. If you haven’t already, create a social media page for your dealership. Facebook tends to be the easiest for dealers to manage and, according to the PEW Research Center, social media users in the U.S. spend more time on Facebook than any of the other popular platforms.

Maintaining your dealership’s social media pages allows you to spotlight your inventory, gather insights on your shoppers/followers, monitor your competition, and interact directly with your buyers. Some of the most engaging types of social media content includes contests and polls, videos and customer testimonials. You can also use your social media pages to share your blog and video content and respond directly to customers if they have questions.

5. Create Dynamic Email Campaigns

Even with all the new forms of communication emerging, email marketing is tried and true. In 2019, the average person spent about 143 minutes per day checking their personal email. Email is still a primary form of communication and serves as a great way to reach consumers and promote your inventory.

Boatline email marketing guide

Start by creating a database of existing customers and any leads you’ve been collecting. It can be helpful to divide your consumer base into two lists — current and prospective customers — so you can implement email campaigns that best fit their needs. Make sure your emails contain valuable content that keeps subscribers interested and engaged. Share your blog posts and videos, service offerings and inventory listings with your email subscribers.

To boost your email marketing efforts, use an email service provider (ESP). ESPs offer software that helps you create, develop and implement your email marketing strategies. When choosing an ESP, you should consider the following:

  • Size of your consumer base
  • Amount of support you’ll need
  • Email templates and other features
  • Reporting and statistics

If you’d like to learn more about developing and executing successful email marketing campaigns, download Boatline’s Email Marketing Guide. In this guide, you’ll learn how to grow your customer lists, write eye-catching subject lines and text, understand the stats in an email report, and more.

As you can see, there are several ways to build your dealership’s brand and retain current customers in an increasingly competitive marketplace. With the help of these marketing tips, along with Boatline’s Email Marketing Guide, your dealership will be increasing customer loyalty and generating more sales in no time.

Boatline Logo

About Boatline

Boatline partners with dealerships to help sell new and pre-owned inventory on their dynamic online marketplace. Boatline is a division of Trader Interactive and belongs to the well-known “Trader” family of brands, with decades of experience connecting buyers and sellers of lifestyle and commercial vehicles. Listing inventory through Boatline helps dealers increase their visibility, generate customer connections, drive sales, and maximize profits. For more information visit Boatmediakit.com.

Elite Recreational Finance Announces Integration of DocuSign Into Its Elite Management System Platform for Bank Contracts

• eSignature Technology Implementation with Lenders to Help Advance Recreational Finance Industry

F&I solutions provider Elite Recreational Finance announces the integration of DocuSign into its Elite Management System platform for bank contracts.

Elite Recreational Finance horz. logo

“Elite Management System is how we have taken the business we built based on personalized relationships and digitized it to give dealers unmatched access to their F&I department. DocuSign will enable eSignature capabilities with participating lenders and disclosure documents to ensure a smoother customer and dealer experience while provided added layers of security for both dealers and their customers,” said Jimmy Delegro, President of Elite Recreational Finance.

Although DocuSign and other eSignature programs are widely accepted in industries like automotive and mortgage, the recreational finance industry serving boat and RV dealers has been much slower to adapt. Elite views this as an opportunity to further advance the recreational finance industry as a whole by demonstrating eSignature technology can be implemented and scaled just as it has been in other industries.

Elite will be rolling out eSignature capability with lenders for both its Indirect F&I Services and its Direct Lending Program over the fall and spring with an expectation to have most lenders who accept eSignatures boarded by the end of Q2 2023.

For more information visit www.eliterfs.com or call 866-553-0686. Stop by booth 240 at Dealer Week to learn more.

MRAA Educational Foundation Final Call for 2022 Scholarships, Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year Award

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) Educational Foundation has announced the final call for nominations and applications for the 2022 Annual Scholarships and the 2022 Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year Award which will be presented December 5-8, at MRAA’s Dealer Week in Austin, Texas. Award information and applications may be found at the MRAA Educational Foundation Website.


Nominate an Outstanding Woman
Presented annually to an outstanding woman who is actively involved in the marine industry at any level, the Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year Award recognizes long and devoted service, untiring commitment, and the advancement of women in the marine business.

The Darlene Briggs Award and educational Scholarships are intended to financially assist the professional development of those working in the marine industry. The deadline to submit a scholarship or award application or nomination is Thursday, Nov. 10.

Retail Members of the MRAA and their employees can now complete online applications for the Kevin Lodder Scholarship and Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship. Marine Trades Associations that are members of MRAA can also apply for the Foundation’s Marine Trades Association Scholarship.

“The MRAA Educational Foundation’s scholarships are ever evolving to promote a stronger workforce for our dealerships to meet the needs for our industry’s future,” said Jeff Siems, MRAA Educational Foundation President. “Scholarships are an important part of the overall effort of the Foundation as it supports expanding the marine industry workforce.”

Women from throughout the boating industry are eligible to be nominated or apply for the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award. This prestigious award, sponsored by MRAA and Boating Industry, has been continuously awarded each year since 1987, to an outstanding woman in the industry who is making a difference, no matter her position in the company or industry.

2021 Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year Award recipient: Roxanne Rockvam, General Manager at Rockvam Boat Yards, Lake Minnetonka, Spring Park, Minn.

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

The Kevin Lodder Scholarship covers the tuition and provides a travel stipend for the recipient to attend Spader Business Management’s Total Management 1 Workshop.

The MRAA Educational Foundation’s Marine Trade Associations Scholarship provides financial support to their members for technical training.

The Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship, established in 2013, covers the tuition for the recipient to attend Spader Business Management’s Leadership Development Program.

The MRAA Educational Foundation presents, annually, the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award. This honor is presented to an outstanding woman who is actively involved in the marine industry.

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.

Why Can’t I Find and Keep Good People?

• 6 Ideas to Help Your Dealership Improve at Employee Retention

By Dixie Morrow

Hiring people has been on everyone’s mind the past couple of years. Hiring people for a new position is exciting if it means you are growing your business, however replacing employees that you have invested time and money in training can be frustrating and costly.

As I interview people, I always ask; why are leaving your current position? Especially people who have been in their position for a while and have several accomplishments with that organization. I have received various answers, including: a more challenging position; growth opportunities; and burn out.

I think about how gaining this talented person is our gain and that company’s loss, but it also makes me concerned about our current talent and how to keep them.

How can you reduce turnover and retain talent in your business? You need to create an attractive environment that motivates and engages employees. Here are six ideas:

• Survey Your Team

One idea to find out what engages and motivates your team is to ASK them. Here are 3 basic questions that can help you get started and determine how involved and enthusiastic your associates are in their work and the business:

• I know what is expected of me at work.

Discuss the expectations for each employee with them and paint a picture of excellent performance as well as how their work helps each co-worker to succeed and the overall impact they have on the business.

• I have the materials and equipment to do my job.

It’s not just a checklist of pens, paper, computers, or tools, it can be any type of supplies, software or knowledge. Do the they have right settings or permissions to be empowered to do their best work? Ask and listen to what your team needs and advocate for them. Be creative and make the most of your teams’ talents and ideas when you can’t immediately fund their requests.

• At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day.

Given the opportunity to do what they do best, is motivating for employees and they want to stick around. A sense of purpose and adding their individual touch each day is satisfying and encourages growth. Talk to your employees and get to know their talents and skills and how to help them to excel.

• Associate Incentives

Create some incentives that keep employees feeling appreciated and having a sense of accomplishment. Here are some low-cost ideas that can have a high return on retention:

  • Giving Gift Certificates
  • A Day Off with Pay (PTO)
  • Taking Them Out to Lunch
  • Donuts on Fridays
  • An Employee of the Quarter recognition (an oldie but goodie)
  • Start a Newsletter and Feature Associate Accomplishments and Customer Comments
  • Create a reward plan “catch them doing something right” – many companies are working with third parties that offer goods or services that can be “purchased” with reward points. The Reward Plan you come up with can encourage points earned from customer comments, other employees recognizing each other, or from supervisors that recognize employees. Check out reward plans and how to get one started.
  • Remember, to also say “Thank you” and “Great Job”

When implemented well, these types of incentives can keep employees motivated and looking forward to the work they do.

• Development and Mentoring

In a Gallup poll about Employee Engagement, five key drivers were noted: “Purpose, Development, a Caring Manager, Ongoing Conversations and a Focus on Strengths.”

Don’t get me wrong a good paycheck is important too! However, the key drivers that keep people working and achieving more for your business are directly related with having a purpose and meaningful work. People want to stand out for the skills and talents that make them unique. They value relationships with a coach or mentor that can help them to continue learning and growing. Gallup also discovered: “the manager or team leader alone accounts for 70 percent of the variance in team engagement.”

Offer opportunities for on-the-job skills training. Matching up a new employee with a mentor is a great way to welcome newbies to the company. It has long-reaching benefits too! New team members learn the ropes from experienced employees, and, in return, they offer a fresh viewpoint to their mentors. Don’t limit mentorship opportunities to new employees. Your existing staff is ripe for learning more and growing with your business. Your overall employee retention and your team’s job satisfaction will benefit from mentor-mentee relationships.

• Promote from Within

As you are developing and mentoring employees within your business, you are investing in them like any other asset. You are sending the message that when they give their best, they are continuing to learn their job, and they are also growing with your business. Make it known that you recognize talent and are willing to promote from within the business instead of looking outside. This is key to employee retention, engagement and ultimately impacts your bottom line. Happy employees make happy customers.

• Open Communication

Communicating and staying in contact with your employees in critical to your business. When employees understand the businesses mission and goals, they can get onboard and truly care about the growth of the business. Make sure employees know you have an open-door policy, which helps you to keep tabs on employee concerns and conflicts. Help associates understand the changes you are making in the business because managing change or not managing change can make the difference in retaining good employees.

• Listen and Encourage Feedback

Employees are on the front line with your customers. Often, they have great feedback for you that can make a difference in your customers experience. They may offer ideas to enhance their own job satisfaction, like:

  • Flexible hours
  • Inter-department learning: Spending time in sales to learn more about their processes
  • Create events the business can sponsor and gain more community awareness

So often, business owners don’t follow up or share the reasons for company decisions and it can leave employees feeling confused and frustrated. Of course, you may not be able to accommodate every request, but it’s acknowledging the feedback that shows you are willing to listen and be open to ideas. Accepting feedback goes a long way toward employee satisfaction and retention.

Communication, mentoring and creating an inviting environment and culture will encourage employee engagement. You have invested time, money and resources in your staff, so by implementing some of these employee retention strategies you can avoid costly turnover and see the positive impact on your bottom line.

About the Author: Dixie Morrow, CDK Lightspeed Client Training Manager, is a trainer, consultant and manager with Lightspeed, with more than 20 years of experience working alongside marine, RV and powersports dealerships of all sizes. Lightspeed is an MRAA Strategic Partner.

Motivated to Work and Grow

• Using Apprenticeship as a Retention Strategy & Build Your Workforce

An MRAA blog by Wendy Mackie, Director of Workforce and Foundation Development  

Wendy Mackie
Wendy Mackie, Director of Workforce & Foundation Development

You are in competition for a workforce. Not only with those in the boating and water sports industries, but in all industries. Workers are looking for opportunities for upward mobility and the higher wages that come with it. Whether you are trying to grow your business or thinking you might need to trim back with a volatile economy, retaining those people who are good fits for your company’s culture should be a top priority.

If you Google the words “apprenticeship as a retention strategy,” hundreds of articles and statistics will appear, supporting that training programs, and apprenticeship specifically, increases staff engagement, morale and retention. It is also proven to enhance the culture of your dealership, sending a clear message regarding your company’s commitment to continuous education and its willingness to invest in the people who work there. 

To put those statistics into a real-world context, I interviewed my brother, Steven, who has spent the better part of the last 20 years staffing and training production lines in manufacturing. Steven has a very matter-of-fact approach. We talked about the notion of apprenticeship as a retention strategy and how that has played out in his experience. Though there are clear differences between the needs of your dealership and that of a manufacturer, the workforce concepts are broadly applicable – and, in fact, you may be competing with manufacturers in your local community for employees. Below is an excerpt of our conversation:  

Wendy: What have you found to be effective ways to retain workers on the shop floor?

Steven: Retention is connected directly to career path and salary. When you show people how they can earn more and provide those clear steps from the start, you get the retention.”  

Wendy: A key principle in the apprenticeship model is structured learning toward promotion and wage gain. Is that what you are talking about? 

Steven: Finding experienced talent is tough and expensive. When I am building a team, I look for those people who are motivated to work and grow. When I can show a potential hire clearly benchmarked skill attainment connected directly with wage increases, I take the guesswork out of what the applicant will earn and when they will be up for the next raise. It both helps to attract the right people and weed out those who would ultimately not be a good fit.

Wendy: It really does come down to what someone will work for and what you can afford to pay, right? What happens when the employee has learned all they can and the wage increases slow down? Will they leave? 

Steven: When people know more, they want to earn more. They might eventually leave. People don’t typically stay in one place forever, and that’s okay. When you look at the bottom line, you may not really want them to. It’s important to have a workforce that can do the job at hand at the cost that is necessary to keep the customer coming back. It is our job [as an employer] to find that balance.

Wendy: Some business owners have said they don’t want to invest in training an employee if that employee is just going to go work for a competitor. What is your experience with that?

Steven: Training is critical to our ability to deliver a good product, and it is reflected in the final price we are charging the customer. We use training as a tool for recruitment and retention. However, with technology constantly changing, it is also a necessary part of remaining competitive in the consumer marketplace. It is a part of the company’s culture and its business model.

Regarding the person who will leave for a competitor after receiving training, that does happen. If you want to keep that person, you will need to figure out how to do that. It’s not just about wages. There are often other things you can provide to engage and retain a good worker. Perhaps more time off, flexible hours, additional training or a company car. It is also important to look at your business and make sure it is a place people want to stay. 

Conclusion
By providing new hires with clear expectations for next career steps, you can build a stronger workforce for your business. Proper training through an apprenticeship program can create confidence and success for you and your new hire. Success boosts morale, leads to professional advancement and increases potential earnings. These career employees can then help you build your company’s culture; one that focuses on retaining employees vs. repeatedly rehiring new ones.

MRAA Guide to Apprenticeship

With two simple steps, you can take your apprenticeship program and your workforce to new heights.

  1. Download the MRAA’s “Guide to Apprenticeship” here (right). This step-by-step manual will help you design an apprenticeship program for your dealership’s service department or improve your existing one.
  2. Register for MRAA’s Dealer Week Conference and Expo to learn from subject matter expert and speaker Gloria Sinclair Miller, SHRM-SCP, about employee retention tactics. In “Rethink How to Engage & Hold Onto Your Employees,” Gloria shares real-world tactics for engaging and retaining your existing employees. This session also meets one of the 2023 Continuous Certification Requirements for Certified Dealers.

Discover Boating Boat Shows Kick Off in Nashville January 5 as Brand Expands to 11 Major Market Events

• NMMA Continuing its Long-Standing Relationship with Progressive® Insurance for Discover Boating® Boat and Sport Shows

Discover Boating®, powered by the NMMA and Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), announced today the re-branding of NMMA’s full lineup of consumer boat and sport shows under the Discover Boating brand, kicking off January 5 in Nashville and 10 other major markets in 2023. The expansion of Discover Boating across boat and sport shows comes as a result of NMMA’s investment in the brand as the association works in partnership with the MRAA to attract the next generation of boaters while retaining and growing the existing boat owner community.

Boats lined up and docked for Discover Boating boat show. Image supplied by NMMA.
2023 Discover Boating Boat & Sport Shows schedule announced.

“The integration of Discover Boating with NMMA boat and sport shows extends our industry’s impact, reach and marketing power to further engage attendees and attract a wider net of boating and outdoor enthusiasts, while delivering a more cohesive industry voice,” said Ellen Bradley, senior vice president and chief brand officer for NMMA. “There has never been a more opportune time to unite Discover Boating and our shows as we welcome back attendees across the country, reimagining what it means to connect our industry with customers while leveraging these industry-owned events to grow boating and cultivate the next generation of boaters.”

Discover Boating boat and sport shows will feature the brand’s visual identity both onsite and online while providing a more connected experience for attendees and exhibitors with the launch of the Discover Boating Boat Finder— a digital platform that empowers customers to begin the boat-shopping process weeks ahead of the show they plan to attend.

“The new digital Discover Boating Boat Finder solves consumers’ desire to explore the latest boat models from all of the top brands in one place, right from the palm of their hand, complementing the in-person show experience and connecting attendees directly with exhibitors and brands before, during and after the show,” noted Matt Gruhn, president of MRAA. “The industry’s lifestyle brand, Discover Boating, is a powerful tool for anyone interested in boating. Its ability to connect and educate consumers, from first-time boat buyers to tenured boating enthusiasts, about boating, operation and ownership makes it an authoritative resource for anyone seeking more knowledge.”

As NMMA boat and sport shows transition under Discover Boating, the association is continuing its long-standing relationship with Progressive® Insurance, an industry leader in boat insurance. For the next five years, Progressive will be in partnership with Discover Boating boat and sport shows. 

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Progressive as we work together to reimagine what it means to connect the recreational boating industry with our existing customer and new-to-boating customers,” said Jennifer Thompson, senior vice president of boat and sport shows for NMMA. “Progressive will help shape and enhance certain aspects of the Discover Boating show attendee experience and further expand our collective reach to millions of boaters and outdoor recreation enthusiasts.”

“For more than a decade, Progressive has witnessed the energy, passion and enthusiasm the boat shows bring to people all over the country,” said Eric Doubler, Progressive Recreational Lines Direct Business Leader. “As a leader in boat insurance covering over one million watercrafts, we have a great desire to help continue to grow the sport, which is why it’s a natural fit for us to invest even further in partnership with the boat and sport shows.”

The 2023 Discover Boating boat and sport show schedule:

As NMMA continues to evolve its boat and sport show portfolio, and after thorough analysis alongside exhibitors and NMMA members, the association is not planning for a 2023 Baltimore Boat Show or St. Louis Boat & Sportshow; however, the association will retain these assets for future opportunities.

“The NMMA is committed to upholding a presence in Baltimore and St. Louis, and we look forward to exploring new ways to serve both the boating industry and consumers in these markets as well as others in 2024 and beyond,” said Thompson.

In addition to the NMMA’s boat and sport show investment in Discover Boating, the brand plans to work with other industry-produced boat shows and organize new boating events and activations to further amplify industry-wide efforts to engage potential, new and existing boaters.

Discover Boating boat and sport show logos and other marketing materials for dealers and manufacturers will be available and shared in early November. Contact Sarah Salvatori for more information and media requests, ssalvatori@nmma.org.

Falco Opens Offices in Boston; Offers Full Range of Smart Marina Solutions Nationwide

• After working with over 20 marinas in Europe, deploying 2,000+ sensors, and having the world’s largest Smart marina as a client, the full Falco Smart ecosystem is now available in the United States.

BOSTON, Oct. 11, 2022 – Falco Americas Corp., wholly owned subsidiary of Falco Wattson Elements, leader in the French Blue Tech, creator of the Falco Smart Marina solutions, announced on September 1st, the opening of their first U.S. office in Boston, MA, significantly expanding their global footprint.

The United States counts over 12,000 marinas nationwide and is home to one of the strongest boating cultures in the world, alongside France. The industry has gained extensive traction proved by its many stakeholders, mergers and acquisitions, and the numerous marina portfolios under management. Falco is bringing deeptech innovation to this space, via its state-of-the-art IoT and data-analytics, to connect marinas and yacht club’s physical infrastructure – docks and boats- to digital tools interconnected in a smart and flexible way.

“We are excited to expand our geographical reach in line with our strategic plan to offer our highly demanded solutions in Europe, to the U.S. market” said Elsa Nicol, CEO and co-founder of Falco.

Falco Americas offers cloud-based, API-centric Smart Marina solutions. Customer top-picks include :

  • A white-labeled Marina App, connected with your marina management software and/or your website, for your customers to access news and events, renew and pay their contracts, book and pay marina and third-party waterfront services through Falco’s in-app dedicated marketplace, with push notifications to better engage with your customers.
  • Sensors to monitor occupancy in real-time, achieve lean management of slips and enable data-driven strategy to boost yield and revenue.

About Falco Americas Corp.

Falco’s mission is to support boaters through marina-based innovation. Our ambition is to empower marinas to become the hub of connected boating. We believe the marina is more than just a place where we store and shelter vessels – it is the future of boating innovation.
For more information, please contact Jonas Schneider at 617-785-6613, or jonas.schneider@wefaclo.com, or follow us on LinkedIn.