MRAA’s Mackie Contributes to Outdoor Workforce Report

• New Findings Highlight Benefits of Outdoor Recreation Careers, Growth Potential

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 13 — A new report on the Outdoor Recreation Workforce, produced by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) and the Oregon State University Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy (OSU CORE) highlights excellent jobs in the outdoor recreation workforce and underscores the important role workforce plays in supporting the overall outdoor recreation economy.

ORR Outdoor Rec Jobs & Economy

“The backbone of this thriving sector is a growing workforce that meets the dynamic needs of today’s fast-paced industry,” said Jessica Turner, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable President. “Right now, there are so many high-quality jobs that exist across the outdoor recreation industry for professionals with a variety of skillsets that provide outstanding lifelong careers.”

As folks continue explore the great outdoors to boat, fish, hunt, hike and recreate, the stress on the outdoor recreation workforce magnifies, with many sectors experiencing severe workforce shortages. For example, a 2019 survey of MRAA members found that there was a surplus of 31,000 job openings at the marine dealerships alone. A combination of an aging workforce, lack of established career pipelines and lack of awareness of the great jobs available in the outdoor industry have generated these unfilled roles.

The report, which MRAA Director of Workforce and Foundation Development, Wendy Mackie, contributed to, takes a deep dive into the career opportunities in the $689 billion outdoor recreation sector. It elucidates how these jobs can provide an outstanding quality of life, upward mobility and connect workers to the outdoors.

“It was an honor to work with the ORR, OSU CORE and others in the Outdoor Recreation Industry on this Wendy Mackie, MRAA report” said Wendy Mackie, MRAA Director of Workforce and Foundation Development. “The release of this report is very timely, as we are laser focused on improving and bolstering the workforce in the recreational boating industry. Thanks to the work and focus of ORR, the boating industry at large is now well positioned to showcase our economic impact and garner further support on our workforce development efforts.”

Outdoor Recreation Workforce Report Highlights
• Deep and Diverse Jobs: The report illustrates the breadth, depth, and diversity of the outdoor recreation industry workforce, which totals over 4.3 million good jobs that help develop economies, increase rural prosperity, improve public health outcomes and quality of life, and promote environmental stewardship and conservation. The report organizes outdoor jobs into three categories: “Technical Specialists,” “Participant-Facing,” and “Integrators” to help the public understand the types of career paths for people with and without higher academic degrees.

• High-Quality Career Opportunities: The report also seeks to clear up misconceptions among the public and policymakers about the types and diversity of jobs in the outdoor recreation economy.

As a newly organized sector — including well over 110,000 small, medium and Fortune 500 businesses across America — many professional and technical careers in the outdoors are unseen or unknown by the public. Most participants in outdoor recreation activities only interact with consumer-facing employees, including retail and hospitality staff members, guides and outfitters, parking and campground attendants, and concessionaires who sell food, beverages, supplies and souvenirs at recreation hot-spots. While these important jobs certainly make up a segment of jobs in the outdoor recreation economy, there are also millions of professional and technical, full-time positions across the sector that are lesser known and provide competitive wages and meaningful careers. Today’s report helps illustrate the breadth of these roles.

• Outdoor Recreation is a Growth Industry: Multiple factors have converged to drive the significant growth in the outdoor recreation industry in recent years, with the corresponding increase in the number of jobs throughout the country, including in rural areas which are transitional from extractive and other industries and focusing more on recreation.

Finally, ORR also debuted a new Career Path module to help meet real people in the outdoor recreation industry. This digital resource features professionals across the outdoor recreation industry telling their stories about:
• How they arrived in their current roles.
• What they appreciate about their work/life balance.
• The advice they have for prospective workers who want to emulate their journey.

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.

Doing More With Less

If you are like most companies in the boating industry, you are currently understaffed and busier than you have been in the last 15 years. Though there are longer term solutions in the making, addressing the shortage of skilled workers right now can feel like an impossible challenge.

Wendy Mackie, Director of Workforce and Foundation Development, MRAA We have all heard the saying, “Do more with less.” It certainly feels easier said than done. As an industry freshman at the time, I learned the saying’s true meaning during the “Great Recession” of 2008. I watched it happen across the marine industry. Amid the massive layoffs, our industry’s employment footprint shrank drastically.

At the time, my office was located at a bustling boatyard that was on a growth trajectory. I watched how the once robust yard crew resized to a bare minimum as the recession took hold. The owner, a successful entrepreneur in his mid-thirties, said to me, “When a recession hits, smart businesses cut deeper than appears necessary to ensure there are enough resources to keep the remaining team retained and strong through the downturn.”

Only one month before the stock market crashed that year, the organization I worked with was awarded a $450,000 grant from the state to recruit, train and place 150 new workers into the boating industry. It was obvious that the industry did not need an influx of new workers. Employers needed resources to retain the workers they still had and keep the doors of their businesses open.

So, through a series of conversations with industry businesses, a plan was devised to redirect the grant funding to cross training and upskilling the workforce that remained employed, also known as incumbent workers, rather than engaging and training new workers. That allowed employers to increase the capacity of their existing workforce … to do more with less.

That investment in the existing workforce proved to have more benefits than anticipated and more lessons — ones that we can apply in today’s market. Here are some of the outcomes:

  • Offset payroll expenses — Because many of the businesses used members of their own staff to provide cross-training, the grant funding inadvertently offset the costs associated with the trainer’s weekly paycheck. With our current industry’s Baby Boomer population, your most experienced workers can also be your best trainers.
  • Strengthen team dynamic — Teams that work hard together to achieve a goal will naturally form a bond. The staff that “made the cut” or remained employed, gained respect for one another and learned how to function together. Each individual became a trainer in their area of expertise and a student in other areas.
  • Build employee allegiance — With the employer’s choice to invest in the team, the employees felt valued and safe in their jobs. This translated into a commitment to the job and the business. It created a brand-loyalty and pride-in-product among employees. It also increased employee productivity and retention for many years to come.
  • Poise for growth — As the industry came out of that recession, the companies who utilized the grant’s training funds were higher functioning, highly skilled and ready for the industry’s regrowth.

It’s challenging to have to cut your resources. However, if embraced, it can lead to innovation. It was Winston Churchill who said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Whether we are headed for a recession or are chronically understaffed or some combination of both, there is opportunity, a silver lining to be found.

The benefits of training existing staff were unequivocally proven during the Great Recession. The success stories created during that time have been used to secure ongoing incumbent worker training funds, and they showcase the boating industry’s ability to successfully train on the job, to invest in its workforce, and to promote from within.

If you are interested in learning more about funds to train your employees in your area, reach out to your local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to inquire. You can find your local WIB here. Questions about workforce development can also be directed to Wendy@mraa.com

MRAA, Sea Tow Unveil Peace of Mind on the Water™ Benefit

• New Member Perk for Marine Dealers in MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program

MINNEAPOLIS, JULY 11 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today that all dealer participants in the MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program can now offer buyers complete Peace of Mind on the Water™ by including Sea Tow membership with every purchase.
Sea-Tow logo
“Sea Tow provides complete Peace of Mind on the Water, a benefit that adds another a layer of trust for both the dealership and customer. It’s critical to nurture the customer after a boat sale by supporting their needs, and this new benefit does just that!” says Jason Walz, MRAA Director of Programs. “The Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program helps participating dealers find, evaluate, market and sell quality pre-owned units, while also giving customers the validation they seek when making a purchasing decision of this stature.”

Once a dealership is enrolled in the MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program and decides to apply a boat for CPO status, it must meet all these requirements:
1. Boat eligibility: Less than 10 years of age and previously Certified by the National Marine Manufacturer Association (NMMA).
2. Clean inspection,
3. Clean Boat History Report
4. Clean Engine and fluid analysis from Titan Certified

Upon completion of all four MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program prerequisites, the MRAA Certified Pre-Owned dealer participants may purchase Sea Tow membership at a wholesale rate. The dealer can then enhance the boat buying process and new ownership experience by including 1-year of Sea Tow Gold Card membership as part of the CPO boat package.

“Including Sea Tow membership with their purchase is ideal for pre-owned boat buyers, many of whom are new to the boating industry and who see the value of 24/7 priority on-water assistance,” says Kristen Frohnhoefer, President of Sea Tow Services International. “Sea Tow’s alignment with the MRAA and the CPO Program makes sense because not only does it enhance the customer experience, but it also benefits the dealer as an extension of their team in the form of customer support.”

Since 1983, Sea Tow has been the authority in on-water assistance nationwide. Members receive priority service and a connection to Coast Guard-licensed captains 24/7/365, and services include: boat towing, fuel deliveries, jump starts, disentanglements, navigational assistance and more. More than just peace of mind on the water, Sea Tow members also receive exclusive deals through the Sea Tow Savings Club. Discounts can include fuel savings, deals on marine-related gear and money-off on dockage at participating marinas and retailers.

For more detailed information, complete pricing, warranty options and to enroll in the program, visit https://cpoboats.com/cpomember-benefits, or contact Jason Walz at 315-256-2878 or jason@mraa.com.

About MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program
The MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program is owned and operated by MRAA Dealer Solutions, LLC, a subsidiary of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. Through a licensing agreement, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas provides MRAA Dealer Solutions and the MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program with marketing and staffing support.

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.

About Sea Tow Services International, Inc.
Sea Tow Services International Inc., better known as Sea Tow®, has been the premier leader of on-water assistance since 1983. Servicing the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, members are provided with a 24/7 connection to Coast Guard-licensed captains. The pioneering concept, founded by Captain Joseph Frohnhoefer, was established in Southold, NY when the United States Coast Guard ceased response to non-emergency assistance calls.

In addition to on-water assistance, the franchise network handles salvage and recovery missions, and responds to natural disasters, environmental hazards, and oil spill cleanups. Visit seatow.com to learn more.

Sea Tow Foundation Announces Call for Entries for 2022 National Boating Industry Safety Awards

• Applications Accepted Through July 23

SOUTHOLD, NY, JULY 8 — The Sea Tow Foundation, in cooperation with its Boating Safety Advisory Council, announced the official call for entries for the “2022 National Boating Industry Safety Awards.”

“The Sea Tow Foundation is excited to enter its fourth year hosting the National Boating Industry Safety Awards and to present this year’s awards just prior to the start of IBEX 2022 in Tampa, Fla. With a streamlined application process, we’re looking forward to learning more about the many ways companies throughout the marine industry have been promoting responsible boating,” said Gail R. Kulp, Executive Director of the Sea Tow Foundation.

Sea Tow Foundation call for National Boating Industry Safety Awards

The awards recognize efforts to promote safety on the water within the for-profit sector of the boating industry in the following categories:
   • Marine Manufacturer
   • Gear/Equipment Manufacturer
   • Marine Media Firms or Companies
   • Public Relations, Advertising, or Marketing Effort
   • Small Marine Retailer/Dealership (up to 3 locations)
   • Large Marine Retailer/Dealership (4 or more locations)

“I encourage all who have spearheaded boating safety initiatives to take the time to apply as the industry and consumers deserve to see your hard work and dedication to keeping us all safe on the water,” said Chad Tokowicz, Government Relations Manager at the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “This is also an important opportunity to highlight the various ways boating safety initiatives take place and can inspire future initiatives while highlighting best practices that resonate throughout the boating community.”

More Information:
• No cost to enter
• Deadline to enter is Saturday, July 23
• Participants may submit multiple applications for different efforts.
• The application process has been simplified this year to make it quick and easy to enter.
• Awards will be presented Monday, September 26, at the Soundings Trade Only Most Innovative Company Awards event.

To learn more and to enter the National Boating Industry Safety Awards, visit: www.boatingsafety.com/awards.

The Sea Tow Foundation is eager to see the creativity across the boating industry as the 2022 contest will recognize a wide range of efforts honoring boating industry companies including those in the manufacturing, media, retailer, marketing and advertising realms. View a list of winners from previous years to see examples of the types of campaigns that could be considered for entry.

ABOUT SEA TOW FOUNDATION
The Sea Tow Foundation – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – was started in 2007 by Captain Joe Frohnhoefer, founder of Sea Tow Services International, after he witnessed too many preventable accidents and fatalities on the water. Through its flagship programs which include the Life Jacket Loaner Program, Sober Skipper Campaign, and the National Boating Industry Safety Awards, the Sea Tow Foundation strives towards its vision of a world where boaters are safe and responsible. To learn more, visit boatingsafety.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.

Women Techs – Solving the Tech Shortage

TechForce Foundation Details Solutions to Address Transportation Industry’s Technician Problem

June 29, 2022 – SCOTTSDALE, AZ – TechForce Foundation®, the only nonprofit 501(c)(3) committed exclusively to career exploration and workforce development for technician professionals across all transportation industry sectors, today released a critical new whitepaper addressing the role that women techs can play in solving the ongoing technician workforce shortage.
TechForce Foundation Women Techs whitepaper
Women Techs: Solving the Tech Shortage Problemgoes into detail on how the automotive, aviation, diesel, collision, motorsports and other transportation industry sectors can recruit and retain women technicians and offer professional growth opportunities throughout every phase of their careers. TechForce Foundation interviewed women technicians across multiple sectors from the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. The interview group spanned every career stage, ranging in age from 19 years old to 60.

“Women make up more than half the population but account for less than 3% of the technician workforce,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “The women techs we spoke to are thriving, and with demand for qualified technicians across the service and maintenance sector greatly outpacing supply, there is a huge opportunity for the industry to recruit women into these important ‘new collar,’ STEM careers.”

“Today’s technician role has transformed to meet the increasing complexity and advancements in automotive technology and with that the need for qualified and diverse talent is great,” said John Roth, GM global vice president, Customer Care and Aftersales. “At GM, we are committed to being the most inclusive company in the world. We invest everyday in a culture that allows everyone to bring their whole self to work which includes steps to support and attract more women to consider the skilled trades as an attractive career option.”

In addition to collecting and sharing the real-world experience and insights of women techs today, TechForce articulates key steps that employers can take to enhance their ongoing recruitment, retention, and growth strategies.

“It’s clear that women seeking technician careers will play a vital part in the service and maintenance industry, where the need for talent at all levels is enormous,” said Dana Rapoport, TechForce’s Chief Consultant, DE&I. “We hope employers take full advantage of this opportunity, and implement the findings in this whitepaper to welcome this growing pool of diverse, skilled workers eager to contribute to the technician workforce.”

Women Techs: Solving the Tech Shortage Problem can be downloaded here TechForce.org/WIT.

About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. TechForce powers the technician workforce by awarding more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants annually to financially-disadvantaged students; changes perceptions towards this evolving, ‘new collar’ STEM career; and provides local career exploration and workforce development programming. TechForce’s online, social network of students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry professionals and enthusiasts committed to championing the technician workforce is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources, programs and career hub for the benefit of aspiring technicians. For more information, visit techforce.org. Follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin.

Members of Congress Champion Marine Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C., June, 29, 2022 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today that members of the U.S. House and Senate have stepped up and highlighted their support for the MRAA’s recent submission to the Apprenticeship Building America grant program hosted by the Department of Labor. Members of both chambers sent letters to the Department of Labor highlighting their support for the program and the immense impact it would not only have on citizens and businesses in their districts, but also the recreational boating industry at large.

“The MRAA and the recreational boating industry cannot thank the members who have stepped up to support the BOAT Jobs Grant Application enough,” said Chad Tokowicz, Government Relations Manager at MRAA. “Your support for this initiative and the workforce of the recreational boating industry is laudable and further highlights your commitment to your constituents and improving the outdoor recreation economy as a whole.” 

Again, the MRAA wholeheartedly appreciate the members below who supported our grant application:
   • Sen. Reed (D-RI)
   • Sen. Whitehouse (D-RI)
   • Rep. Dingell (D-MI-12)
   • Rep. Stevens (D-MI-11)
   • Rep. Waltz (R-FL-06)
   • Rep. Cicilline (D-RI-01)
   • Rep. Langevin (D-RI-02)

As submitted, the grant application outlines that MRAA would create multiple Registered Apprenticeship Programs, in coordination with industry partners, along with several Regional Registered Apprenticeship Hubs. Those Hubs would allow MRAA to deliver the necessary resources and programming for meeting the program’s goals through regional partners. The grant proceeds, which could provide MRAA with as much as $8 million over four years, would fund the creation of technician and other service department apprenticeship and education programs, in addition to providing seed money for industry businesses to subsidize the costs of hiring apprentices. Grant funding will also support the development of a national career awareness and a recruitment marketing program to increase the visibility of the marine workforce. 

Over the last decade, the boating industry workforce shortage has grown. A 2017 MRAA survey solidified that notion, revealing that by 2019, the number of open positions in dealerships would exceed 31,000 — that number does not even include vacancies of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and other marine related businesses. The expected workforce deficit was much higher than predicted, in part due to the number of dealerships growing nationwide, and was no longer only a human resources issue, but also an economic concern. And then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. 

The MRAA is awaiting the Department of Labor to announce the winners to the Apprenticeship Building America grant program. Slated to start in July, we expected the announcement will come shortly. If you have any further questions about the marine workforce or our grant, feel free to reach out to Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager, at Chad@mraa.com or 978-569-5127.

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.

100 Percent of MRAA Board Contributes to BoatPAC

WASHINGTON, DC, June 29, 2022 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is proud to announce today that 100 percent of the MRAA Board of Directors has contributed to BoatPAC, the federal political action committee representing the recreational boating industry.


The joint PAC fund of the MRAA, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Association of Marina Industries (AMI), BoatPAC’s mission is to support federal candidates that champion the recreational boating community and help propel its agenda in the halls of Congress.

“BoatPAC is the most effective vehicle the boating industry uses to ensure that the MRAA and our partners remain at the table and engaged in all conversations that impact the well-being of our industry,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “The MRAA board continues to demonstrate its leadership in contributing to this mission and hopes that all boat dealers and others throughout the marine industry will follow suit and keep our industry’s advocacy efforts strong.”

To learn more about BoatPAC and how you can get involved, please contact MRAA Government Relations Manager Chad Tokowicz at chad@mraa.com/202-737-9779 or NMMA’s Senior Director of Political Advocacy and Engagement, Erica Crocker at ecrocker@nmma.org/202-737-9776.

Members of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Board
• Rob Soucy, Port Harbor Marine (Chairman of MRAA Board)
• Jeff Strong, Strong’s Marine (Vice Chairman of MRAA Board)
• Joe Lewis, Mount Dora Boating Center (Secretary/Treasurer of MRAA Board)
• Joe Hoffmaster, Hoffmaster’s Marina
• Craig LeBlanc, Allen Harbor Marine
• Bob Petzold, Petzold’s Marine Center
• Jason Murphy, Norfolk Marine
• Stacy Greenwood, Cleveland Boat Center
• Paul Berube, Boaters Exchange
• Chad Taylor, Taylor’s South Shore Marina 
• Jason Shallcross, Reed’s Marine
• Jeff Siems, Blue Springs Marine
• Martin Boyer, Austin Boats and Motors
• Craig Brosenne, Hagadone Marine Group
• Bob Bense, Superior Boat Repair & Sales 
• Carly Poole, Buckeye Marine (As a Canadian-based board member, Poole is not eligible to contribute to the PAC fund.)


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 Research to Help Reach the Next Generation of Boaters

When the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and MRAA teams set out to build an amplified, relevant Discover Boating, starting with a refreshed brand voice and look and a new campaign, both of which launched this year, first on deck was understanding the boating consumer and the potential boating consumer to be, especially in a post-pandemic world. In partnership with agency partner, Cutwater, a host of research was conducted that looked at everything from the feelings and mindset of long-time boat owners, first-time boat owners and potential boat owners to be, to their interests, and key demographics.


“We knew we couldn’t simply profile today’s boat owners to find the next generation. Given the shifts post-pandemic, and the overall cultural and demographic shifts in our population, not surprisingly, our research showed the next generation looks, acts, and thinks differently than current boat owners and yet their mindset and interests in many ways, remain similar,” said Ellen Bradley, chief brand officer for NMMA. “These key findings guided all aspects from our new logo and the “See You Out Here” creative to the media, influencers, and PR you’ll see in the coming months.”

Research findings showed current boat owners are:
   • Older than the average American, with a median age of 54, and they are six years older than the US median age.
   • High-income and high net-worth compared to the average American.
   • More likely to be male than the average American.
   • Much more likely to be Caucasian than the average American.

At the same time, demographic trends show this population shrinking as the overall population shifts younger and more multicultural. As a result, next generation boaters are naturally more diverse when it comes not just to age, ethnicity, and gender, but in attitudes, behaviors, and even location. What’s more, they’re less likely to come from boat-owning families than previous generations.

Three key segments emerged from the research: Traditional Boaters, Growth Segment and Emerging Segment. The Traditional Boaters are who their name suggests – they most closely resemble the current boat owner, while the Growth and Emerging segments are opportunities to expand the market for recreational boating, representing 91 million people and more than 1.5x the Traditional Boater segment size.

Traditional Boaters: This group looks most like today’s boat owners and has the highest penetration of boat ownership and participation in boating activities. They are older and more suburban/ex-urban than other groups.

Growth Segment: This group pursues boating-adjacent activities at high rates, including powersports, biking and hiking and is younger. In fact, they are younger than current first-time boat buyers. And, they are more ethnically and racially diverse and more likely to live in denser areas.


Emerging Segment: This group is a large, dynamic, and affluent segment of the potential future boat owner population. In their daily lives, while they are not pursuing the outdoor activities predictive of future boating, they are doing those activities on vacation with a potential “pull” via rental activity. They are the most diverse, most affluent segment.

Some shared characteristics of the Growth and Emerging segments include:
   • Likely to attend events like auto shows, food/beverage festivals and music festivals.
   • Consider themselves more environmentally conscious.
   • Are heavy users of social media including Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok.
   • Enjoy foreign and domestic travel.
   • Participate in outdoor recreation activities, including golfing, cycling, running, playing tennis, and yoga.
   • Watch sporting events online.
   • Own autos from brands including BMW, Jeep, Tesla, and Subaru.

Added Bradley, “A key takeaway is that the freedom of being on the water, and the feelings associated with that freedom, were significant unifiers and influencers for boating. Those feelings of freedom are what we work to capture in our creative and throughout our marketing efforts. At the same time, the social connections and opportunities that uniquely come with boating, align with what both future and current boat owners are looking for. “

Get the infographic outlining the research HERE!

Discover Boating, powered by NMMA and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, is focused on inviting the next generation of boaters while remaining connected with current boaters. Sharing the joy of life on the water with future boaters and let them know everyone is welcome. The insights gleaned from the brand’s research can help the recreational boating industry define targets for their own marketing initiatives based on the behaviors and demographics of these key segments.

For more information on the latest Discover Boating consumer research, visit b2b.discoverboating.com.

New York State Passes Right to Repair; Exempts Marine Industry

ALBANY, N.Y. — June 22 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, and the Coalition Opposed to Illegal Tampering have made immense progress in New York after meeting with Senator Breslin to inform him of the potential harms right to repair legislation could have on Marine and other off-road industries. Ultimately this outreach resulted in the New York State assembly passing an amended version the Digital Fair Repair Act (A.7006B and S.4104A) that would exclude the marine industry and the off-road sector at large from the law.

Introduced throughout the country, right to repair legislation will allow independent repair providers, including individuals or businesses, the same access to the firmware, source codes, and other proprietary information and tools needed for repair as authorized repair providers. While the MRAA and the Coalition Opposed to Illegal Tampering support repairs done by owners, we recognize the inherent safety and environmental implications making this information available to unauthorized or “independent” repair providers.

Unamended, the Digital Fair Repair Act (A.7006B &S.4104A) introduced by Representative Fahy and Senator Breslin respectively, would have allowed uncertificated technicians and users to access the source code of Marine engines, electronics, and additional products
like farm and forestry equipment. As originally written, this legislation was intended to provide users and owners of computers, cell phones and other consumer electronics the ability to make repairs without the need of authorized repair providers. However, due to the unspecified language of the bill, it would have expanded those allowances to marine technology, farm equipment, medical devices and more.

However, due to continued outreach with Senator Breslin, a last-minute amendment to the bill was made to exempt the marine industry and other off-road sectors. The MRAA, National Marine Manufacturers Association, and other industry partners appreciate Senator Breslin’s willingness to engage with the marine industry and off-road segment at large to not only hear our concerns, but amend the bill accordingly.

“On behalf of the recreational boating industry, thank you Senator Breslin for amending the Digital Fair Repair Act to exempt Marine products, and for looking out for the vitality of New York boating businesses,” said Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager. “We hope that this legislation can serve as a template, and that other states follow the leadership of Sen. Breslin to also exempt the marine and off-road sectors.”

As Right to Repair legislation continues to surface throughout the country, the MRAA and the Coalition Opposed to Illegal Tampering continue to monitor these bills and educate key members of state legislatures on their environmental and safety implications for the marine and comparable industries. Changes to exempt the marine sector are also critical as Certified technicians, like those who receive training through the American Boating and Yacht Council, provide a high skilled labor force for our members and dealers to consistently deliver quality repairs and service.

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 Defends Wake Surfing in Minnesota

• Joins NMMA, WSIA to testify on behalf of recreational boating access at Lake Minnetonka meeting

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, June, 22, 2022 – Chad Tokowicz, Government Relations Manager for the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas testified in front of the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) board in support of fair and equitable boating access on the state of Minnesota’s most populous boating destination. Tokowicz joined representatives from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) to highlight the positive contribution wake surfing makes to the Lake Minnetonka community and the importance of access for all types of recreational boating activities.

In Minnesota, where boating reigns as the supreme warm-weather activity, wake surfing and the regulations surrounding the sport are a hot topic. The LMCD Board’s meeting, coined as a listening session, kicked off the process to evaluate whether additional restrictions are needed on Lake Minnetonka. The Board, established by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1967, is the governing body of Lake Minnetonka and is charged with overseeing regulations, safety, access and much more on the lake. To ensure the LMCD is consistent with its mission, the Board is charged with providing an enjoyable resource for all recreational users while also minimizing user conflict and ecological impact.

Conversations on how wake surfing, which has grown in popularity over the last few years, impacts waterbodies and other recreational users have sprung up across the country, and MRAA and its partners at WSIA and NMMA have been there to contribute their expertise on the subject.

In their remarks to the Board, recreational boating industry representatives focused on three key topics: the immense boating economy supported by Lake Minnetonka’s boating culture; the safety impact of the Wake Responsibly Campaign; and recent industry-led efforts to pass mandatory boater education legislation in Minnesota.

“While the boating industry at large and members of the Lake Minnetonka community appreciate the focus of the LMCD, we hope that the board is able to come to a conclusion that balances access for all types of water sports,” said Tokowicz. “Wake surfing is an important activity for the Lake Minnetonka community and helps support a vibrant recreational boating economy around the lake.”

Chad Tokowicz of the MRAA

There was considerable news coverage on the meeting, including feature stories from the “Star Tribune,” KSMP– Fox News affiliate, and KSTP – NSBC News affiliate.

As this conversation continues to develop and the board determines what action to take, the MRAA and its industry partners stand committed to advocating for boating access for all. This is just one of the many lakes throughout our nation considering a change to their regulations, if you are aware of any water bodies considering similar ordinances please contact Chad Tokowicz, Government Relations Manager, at Chad@mraa.com or call 978-569-5127.

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.