Your Voice in MRAA Advocacy Makes A Difference

Most dealers become members of the MRAA because of the robust educational programming and resources our team offers in helping them run their businesses. But running a strong business also requires a strong selling environment free from restrictive policies and regulations that can hinder your success.

That’s where MRAA’s advocacy work rises to the challenge. Through regular engagement at the federal, state and local levels, our team fights against policies that impede your operations, and we promote policies that will lead to a healthy business economy and the conservation of a strong boating environment.

Although the MRAA advocacy team leads the way in this fight, our best outcomes often result from our ability to connect you and your voice to the people making legislative and regulatory decisions.

For MRAA members, getting involved in advocacy is easy, and our advocacy team constantly creates avenues to amplify your voice. With their expertise in running a small business, MRAA members add a unique voice to the table, providing those decision makers with real-world insights into how federal and state policies and programs affect your business and the economy at large.

Quite simply: When MRAA members talk, decision makers listen.

Recently, MRAA member Rick Chapman, General Manager at Sunnyside Marina, Inc., testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Small Business Committee, advocating for the passage of the PREPARE Act, a program that would give small businesses the opportunity to reinforce their own infrastructure in preparation of weather-related issues, such as hurricanes and floods and the like. Mr. Chapman highlighted the challenges his and other businesses in the marine industry face and how the PREPARE Act would provide them much needed resources. To learn more about the PREPARE Act and Mr. Chapman’s testimony click here.

MRAA members have also been instrumental at a state level, as well. Notably, in 2020, MRAA member Joe Adams of Windward Boats in Hawaii testified before the Hawaii State Legislature to highlight the marine industry’s opposition to SB 2496, which proposed so-called right-to-repair legislation. His testimony highlighted the negative impact this legislation would have on marine retailers and boaters alike, and it was a critical voice this legislation did not pass.

Aside from participating in hearings at the state and federal level, MRAA members can also make their voice heard by signing on to comment letters and meeting directly with legislators and their staff — both of which the MRAA team can facilitate for you.

In fact, there are numerous ways MRAA members can get involved with this important advocacy work. Here are five easy steps to help you involved today:

  1. Sign up to receive Boating United alerts to stay informed.
  2. Sign a prior-approval form and contribute to BoatPAC, the No. 1 way our industry gets its voice at the table (and attend a BoatPAC event next time you have the opportunity … like at Dealer Week 2021). (U.S. based members only)
  3. Learn more about the issues that matter most to your business here.
  4. Meet and share your advocacy concerns with MRAA Government Relations Manager Chad Tokowicz and other industry stakeholders by attending Dealer Week.
  5. Join the MRAA Dealer Ambassador’s team – a formal group that is ready to mobilize if an issue comes home to your state.
  6. Get involved with MRAA’s government relations manager by emailing Chad at chad@mraa.com.

All MRAA members should make their voice heard by participating in our advocacy work. Your efforts will make a difference.

Boat Finance Joins MRAA as Partner Member

MINNEAPOLIS — September 1 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces Boat Finance has joined as a Partner Member.  

“Boat Finance strives to do more than just close individual deals, but build long-lasting relationships and forge meaningful connections with dealers, to increase financing accessibility and enhance the marine lending experience,” said Will Schrama, VP Finance & Operations. “Due to its outstanding networking and educational platform, the MRAA plays a vital role in bringing us together with others who share our same goals and values in building a stronger marine industry.”

Boat Finance

In 2015, Don and Bill Schrama recognized a void in the marine lending industry: bankers and lenders overlooking financing for older, pre-owned boats. As seasoned industry professionals with more than 60 years of experience in marine lending, the Schrama brothers were inspired to fill this void and founded Boat Finance LLC, to provide financing for these second-hand boats and increase accessibility for lending.

Since inception, the company has financed thousands of boats, and has even cast a wider net to financing motors and RVs. Operating out of Florida, California, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia, Boat Finance is currently licensed in 35 states, but on course to branch out to all 48 contiguous U.S. states. With the help of its dealer base, industry organizations and dedication to the Recreational Finance Industry, Boat Finance aims to become one of the largest names in Indirect Recreational Lending.

“We believe the MRAA is essential to our continued growth and development, and will pave the way for us to establish ourselves as an anchor in the community,” added Will Schrama. “We thank the MRAA for letting us be a part of this growing organization. We’re excited to see everyone at Dealer Week in Austin.”

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

“It’s great to add Boat Finance as a Partner Member to the MRAA,” said Allison Gruhn, Director of Business Development. “We value the support of all of our partners, because it helps us supply valuable resources and educational tools to help dealers find more success and earn their customers’ trust.”

About Boat Finance
Boat Finance LLC was founded in 2015 by two brothers, Don and Bill Schrama, who identified a segment of the lending industry that current lenders had left unserviced: the sub-prime and used boat market. Since then, our mission has been to provide boat owners with quick and painless financing, especially to those who struggle to find financing elsewhere, by emphasizing superior customer service, unparalleled dependability, and optimized execution. For more info visit: www.boatfinance.com; call 855-234-1304.

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.

Washington State Marine Excise Tax Reflects Input from Boating Industry

Last week, the Washington State Department of Revenue held a hearing to finalize the watercraft excise tax depreciation schedule. The Department of Revenue proposed a final rule which reflected input from stakeholders in the marine industry and placed less of a financial burden on boat owners than the originally proposed excise tax schedule.

In June, MRAA joined regional and national groups, such as BoatUS, Recreational Boating Association of Washington, Northwest Marine Trade Association, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Maritime Federation, to challenge this proposal. Originally, the proposed depreciation schedule would have put an unfair burden on boat owners and did not reflect national averages. Furthermore, boats are the only recreational vehicle subject to a depreciation excise tax in Washington State, already placing an additional financial burden on boat owners.

The final rule, which will go into effect on October 1st, 2021, reflects significant changes from the initially proposed watercraft excise tax depreciation schedule. MRAA supported the aforementioned coalition and others advocated that the initially proposed depreciation schedule did not accurately portray depreciation rates of boats. The initial rule showed a Year 1 depreciation rate of either 2 or 3%, which does not match with nationally averaged boat depreciation rates that are closer to 10% after the first year. This higher-than-average estimate would have resulted in higher excise tax on boat owners.

“I would like to thank the Department of Revenue for working with stakeholders in the marine industry to create a final rule that reflects the concerns we raised,” said Chad Tokowicz Government Relations Manager for the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “With more people on the water than ever and many more considering buying boats, it is imperative we do whatever we can to lower the financial burden on consumers.”

Under the newly proposed excise tax depreciation schedule rates have been adjusted with Year 1 depreciation rate for sailboats at 10%, 16% for powerboats under 30 feet, and 17% for powerboats over 30 feet. Despite the updated depreciation schedule reflecting concerns raised by the marine industry, MRAA and its partners will continue to work with the Department of Revenue as the Final rule still needs improvement concerning the depreciation rates for sailboats vs. powerboats and for older vessels (older than 14 years).

“This issue demonstrated, once again, the importance of trade and member associations,” said Peter Schrappen V.P. and Director of Government Affairs for the Northwest Marine Trades Association. “The all-star team in place to advocate for boaters put together our case, the decision makers at the Department of Revenue listened and boaters and boating businesses won.”

The Department of Revenue has opened a public comment period on the final rule until September 10th, 2021. MRAA will continue to support the aforementioned organizations to provide additional comments and continue advocating for the Marine industry and its consumers.

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, contact us at 763-315-8043.

How to beat The Great Resignation

You may have heard of The Great Resignation, the “mass, voluntary exit from the workforce” that has been anticipated for months. Experts like those quoted in the article linked here suggest that it’s already begun.

As boat dealers, despite the wild sales success we’ve enjoyed of late, there’s a lot to be frustrated about in today’s economy. We came into the pandemic greatly understaffed. Inc. magazine The Great Resignation The extreme demand our businesses have been under has only layered further pressure onto our small teams. And the unemployment levels and government assistance for those who can work but choose to stay home have caused business owners everywhere to plead with their customers: “There’s a worldwide workforce shortage. Please be kind to those who showed up.”

Now, The Great Resignation seems to promise to cause further challenges for our staffing levels.

If you read through the fine details of that Inc. magazine article, however, you’ll understand that there IS something you can do about your staffing situation. Quite simply, you can create a great place to work.

You see, the LinkedIn study this article quotes from points to employees leaving because of things like “dissatisfaction and fear caused by knee-jerk cost-cutting actions by their current employer in response to Covid-19.” It references “fundamental unfairness in holds on promotions, frozen merit increases and indiscriminate layoffs, which impacted poor performers and stars equally, particularly as they watched executive leadership refuse to participate in the pain.” AND, the article said, “many have simply had it with being undervalued and unheard by toxic, narcissistic managers.”

Wow. You may be thinking that our workforce is filled with highly entitled, sensitive and emotional people. Nope. They’re humans. They’re people just like you. They want to be treated with respect. They want to be valued. And they want to be heard. Collectively, they’re just now finding the guts to stand up and do something about it. 

What can YOU do about it? 

Too many people who earn the title manager or executive or owner believe that management means controlling people, using fear as a motivator, demonstrating who’s the boss, barking orders, or forcing compliance with personal preferences. That’s the narcissistic approach referenced in the article, and it is NOT what management or leadership is about. In fact, even the Golden Rule, which suggests you treat others how you’d like to be treated was formally challenged in the book “First, Break All the Rules,” by Marcus Buckingham. In it, he wrote that you should not treat others how you’d like to be treated. You should treat them how THEY want to be treated. But how do you know their preference if you don’t ask?

In an educational event I last attended recently, the speaker suggested that non-profit boards need to develop a “listening competency.” Here’s the secret: It’s not just non-profit boards. It’s ALL businesses that need to develop a listening competency. Most of us listen to our customers. Why aren’t we listening to our team members — those people on the front lines of our business who really control the day-in-and-day-out success (or failure) of the organization? Their opinion doesn’t just matter; it’s critical to our success!

There are many ways that you can (and should) engage in listening to your employees, but just like it is with customers, perhaps one of the best ways you can learn what they think, want and need, is through a satisfaction survey. For years, our team here at MRAA has been requiring our Certified Dealers to facilitate an anonymous (we field it for them) satisfaction survey of their employees. And just this year, we took a dose of our own medicine and rolled out an ESS for the MRAA staff. The Certification ESS process not only asks dealers (and therefore our team here at MRAA) to survey their employees, but also to meet with them, celebrate the wins and work collaboratively to develop solutions for any opportunities demonstrated by the survey. 

What I learned from that experience has been immensely valuable. It is living up to the promise of becoming one of the most powerful ways we’ll continue to strengthen our culture. One of the most significant takeaways was that our team wanted more opportunities for feedback and growth. They wanted to know how they were doing and what they could do to improve and to grow in their roles. 

Imagine that. Imagine if your employees were not interested in joining The Great Resignation, but rather their interests lie in how they can improve their performance for your dealership. And all you had to do was ask and respond. 

What more could you accomplish with loyal, passionate team members who have a voice, who feel heard and who are rewarded with continuous improvement opportunities? What more would they do for you and your business? How would your business transform if you used it to create a great place to work?

There’s an old saying that suggests that your customer satisfaction will never be higher than your employee satisfaction. The best way to drive employee satisfaction and drive results in your dealership is to give your team a voice and let them know they’ve been heard. If we can help you do that through MRAA’s employee satisfaction survey, please let me know.

 

Consumer Research Solutions Joins MRAA as Partner Member

MINNEAPOLIS —  August 23 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces Consumer Research Solutions (CRS) joined as a Partner Member.   


“Consumer Research Solutions is pleased to join the MRAA and help support the mission to fuel growth and success for boat and engine dealers,” said Andrea Desilets, Director. “A strong dealer network is vital to all of us in the boat industry.” 

 

Consumer Research Solutions, Inc. is a web-based research company that specializes in objective, third-party data collection and Internet software for the Powersports, RV, Marine and Tractor industries. Based in Worcester, Mass., CRS has collected, maintained and delivered extensive product information and high-performance tools to these markets for nearly 20 years.  

Consumer Research Solutions Logo

Since its founding, CRS has worked at the crossroads of data information and human decision. Through its combined 100-plus years of experience, the company has learned that data is only as good at the people behind it. With a team of experienced and dedicated data analysts, fact finders, system architects and problem solvers, CRS is skilled in building and delivering detailed data solutions so boat and engine dealers can see an immediate impact. 


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


“We’re excited to add Consumer Research Solutions as a Partner Member,” said Allison Gruhn, Director of Business Development. “We value its support, as it will help MRAA continue to provide resources and educational tools to retailers to help them in their pursuit of finding more success.”


About Consumer Research Solutions

Consumer Research Solutions, Inc. is a web-based research company that specializes in objective, third-party data collection and Internet software for the Powersports, RV, Marine and Tractor industries. We have collected, maintained and delivered extensive product information and high-performance tools to these markets for nearly 20 years. Our attention to quality and reliable solutions combined with our superior level of client support have allowed us to develop a variety of rich partnerships. For more info visit: www.crs-corp.com; or call 508-864-6264.


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, Dealer Profit Services Release ‘Guide to Creating a Compliance Process’

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, in partnership with Dealer Profit Services, has created a new resource for dealers looking to create a compliance process.

MRAA’s “Guide to Creating a Compliance Process” is a 30-plus page publication to ensure that marine retailers have the information, tools and processes in place to protect their businesses, team and customers.

“While we will have launched more than 100 dealer resources, tools and educational offerings by the end of the year, this guide is one of the most in-depth and robust that we’ve had the privilege to share,” says Liz Walz, MRAA’s Vice President. “It is an excellent example of the expertise and insight that MRAA has been able to tap into, thanks to fruitful relationships with generous, education-minded partners like Dealer Profit Services.”

The guide explains why having a compliance process is smart for business and offers real-life compliance “red-flag” examples for retailers to watch out for as well as sample language that can be used to create a compliance process.

“As a longtime Education Champion Partner with MRAA, we developed this Compliance Guide because we truly appreciate how hungry MRAA members are for continuous improvement and we recognize that Compliance is an area where there is often significant room for improvement” said Myril Shaw, Chief Operating Officer of Dealer Profit Services. “Based on our very well received Comprehensive Compliance Program Product, we hope to show our MRAA partner’s members how to ensure that Compliance shifts from being an event into being a process and thus demonstrate a ‘good-faith effort’ in the event that Compliance issues should occur.”

Further, the guide explains that not having an updated and effective compliance process that is referenced and adhered to daily may be putting your marine businesses at greater risk for fines and penalties if an issue were to arise.

The “Guide to Creating a Compliance Process” is an MRAA members-only publication available at MRAA.com/guides.

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, contact us at 763-315-8043.

About Dealer Profit Services
As a premier F&I Services Provider, Trainer, Consultant, and Comprehensive Compliance Program supplier, Dealer Profit Services is about improving a dealer’s F&I profit and then providing the tools to ensure that profit is protected. As a Service Provider, Dealer Profit Services provides complete F&I services and delivers the industry leading F&I Profit Results. As Trainers and Consultants, we help dealers improve their in-house F&I departments. Through the Comprehensive Compliance Program, Dealer Profit Services provides an on-line, on-demand, Compliance Program with documents, training and tools to make F&I Compliance a process that helps protect the dealer against potential risks from compliance issues. Learn more by visiting dealerprofit.com, email info@dealerprofit.com, or call (470) 326-0966.

Infrastructure Bill Clears Senate, Budget Reconciliation to Follow

On Tuesday, the United States Senate passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill, H.R. 3864, by a vote of 69-30. This bill, totaling a $1 trillion investment in our nation’s infrastructure, includes many priorities and measures that will benefit the recreational boating industry. Just after passage, the Senate quickly shifted attention to the Budget Reconciliation process – voting 50-49 to adopt a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint.

The Senate passed infrastructure bill contains a variety of provisions key to the recreational boating community:

  • Reauthorizes the $750 million Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund — a user-pay, user-benefit system, and the backbone of aquatic conservation projects across the country.
  • $10 billion to support U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recreation infrastructure priorities. (Note: USACE manages 12 million acres of recreation lands and waters, with 256 million American visiting USACE managed recreation sites each year.)
  • $455 million annually for five years for the Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which will allow significant improvements to port facilities on coasts, rivers, and the Great Lakes.
  • $7 billion for USACE infrastructure priorities, which includes funding for projects on storm damage reduction and coastal storm risk management.
  • $4.35 billion for Western water infrastructure, which will promote ecosystem restoration and make boating access more resilient across the West.

The House, which is out on recess and slated to return on Aug. 23, has set its sights on passing the Budget Reconciliation bill before passing the Infrastructure Bill as there is a Sept. 14 deadline. Although still skeletal and requiring further development, the Budget Reconciliation bill aims to expand Medicare, combat climate change, and boost federal safety net programs. Although this bill is broad in scope, there is a focus on coastal resiliency and funding for Small Business Administration programs, two items that will benefit the recreational boating industry.

Reconciliation, the process by which the $3.5 trillion budget is being moved, is a special procedure that makes legislation easier to pass in the Senate. Instead of needing 60 votes to exit the Senate, these bills only need a simple majority. Each year, Congress sets total spending, revenues, the surplus or deficit, and the public debt. Reconciliation directs committees to recommend changes in spending, revenues, deficits, and/or the debt limit. Next, committees are provided with buckets of funding and may choose to increase costs in some areas as well as reduce costs in others so long as the net budgetary effect of a committee proposals is in line with its instruction. These recommendations are then sent to the Budget Committee who then reports these to the House floor.

Reconciliation is currently still in its early stages and the bill will go through a variety of changes as both the House and Senate make edits throughout the process. MRAA will continue to provide updates on the bill and specific provisions that will benefit marine businesses and the recreational boating industry.

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 Adds 3 Staff to Support Certification, Advocacy, Member Benefits

MRAA recently added three new team members to better support the Marine Industry Certified Dealership program, industry advocacy and MRAA Member Benefits.

“Marine retailers have seen success in the past 18 months despite unprecedented conditions, and we have been proud to support them as they navigate uncharted waters,” said Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “Looking ahead, we see some clear areas where we think MRAA can offer solutions to what we believe will be the next set of market challenges, and these hires were made specifically with that in mind. We were lucky to find great teammates who embody the passion we have for this industry, and I look forward to further strengthening MRAA’s services for the industry moving forward.”

The new additions are:

Jake Kolling, Certification Sales Manager
Jake works closely with MRAA’s Certification team to continue to grow the program and get more dealerships Certified. Jake grew up in Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where his love of boating began at a young age. His previous experience building strong relationships with dealerships goes back to his time at Arctic Cat/Textron Specialist Vehicles, where he managed accounts, floor plan levels with Wells Fargo, and also sold parts, oil, garments and accessories. When he is not working, Jake enjoys fishing, hunting, ATVing, snowmobiling and spending time outdoors with his wife and son.

Chad Tokowicz, Government Affairs Manager
Chad is based in Washington, D.C., where he advocates for the priorities of marine dealerships. He previously served as the Inland Fisheries Policy Manager for the American Sportfishing Association, leading the association’s efforts at a state and federal level on a variety of issues impacting inland fisheries, conservation, natural resources and the tackle industry. Chad has additional experience on Capitol Hill, where he worked on the House Committee for Natural Resources and, prior to that, as a Government Affairs Intern at Trout Unlimited. He is a graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges where he graduated summa cum laude with a major in Environmental Studies and double minor in Political Science and Entrepreneurial Studies.

Jason Walz, Director of Programs
Jason leads the development of new MRAA programs and benefits, while strengthening existing offerings to increase the value of membership to the dealer community. He brings over 20 years of experience creating and growing manufacturers and dealers, solving problems, training, and caring for customers through roles in sales and sales management. In his free time, he’s often on a bike, a boat or by the water, spending time in the outdoors with his family and friends.

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, contact us at 763-315-8043.

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Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Supports Boating, Help It Cross the Finish Line

WASHINGTON, DC, August 6, 2021 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas applauds the Senate for its work on the bipartisan infrastructure package that includes various priorities of the recreational boating industry.

After weeks of negotiations between Senators and the White House, The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is making its way to a vote on the Senate Floor. Referred to as an infrastructure package, this large bill totals $550 billion in new spending and will support a variety of infrastructure priorities from our nation’s waterways and roads to investments in clean energy and electric vehicles. Due to its large scope, this bill contains a variety of provisions that will benefit the recreational marine industry, including the efficient transportation of boats and making coastal communities more resilient.

“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation that will only help bolster and grow our nations $170.3 billion recreational boating industry,” said Chad Tokowicz, Government Relations Manager for the MRAA. “Although the bill is in its final stages and is slated to be passed soon, we need your voice. Please encourage your Senator to support the bill.”

Action Alert: Please click here to tell your Member of Congress to support the recreational boating industry and invest in outdoor recreation infrastructure by supporting the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Of the $17 billion included for ports and waterways, MRAA and Boating United support the following measures:

  • Roughly $10 billion to support US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) infrastructure priorities, which includes a dedicated amount for repairing damages to USACE projects caused by natural disasters, helping to provide updates for key recreational areas;
  • $455 million annually for five years for the Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which will allow significant improvements to port facilities on coasts, rivers, and the Great Lakes;
  • $5 million annually for five years for the Marine Highways Program funds, which will work to expand the use of America’s navigable waters and expand marine highway service options; and
  • $429 million for US Coast Guard infrastructure priorities, which includes funding for shore construction infrastructure and facility deficiency needs that the Coast Guard relies on to provide services and protect the public.

Furthermore, the comprehensive package will also reauthorize the $650 million Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, a user pay, user benefit program that is funded through excise taxes and import duties on fishing equipment and motorboat and small engine fuel. This program then funds conservation projects throughout the country such as boating access and fisheries projects. To learn more about this program please see MRAA’s past press release 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.

Dealership Advantage Commits to MRAA as Education Champion

MINNEAPOLIS — August 3 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces that Dealership Advantage has increased its commitment, becoming an Education Champion.

“We are extremely excited to further our relationship with the MRAA
 and the dealership community they support,” says Matt Toburen, Dealership Advantage CEO. “While our dealer management software platform has been a catalyst for our customers’ growth and increased profitability, we know that ongoing education is the
 foundation for dealers to continue to succeed. As the industry looks to deal with a post-COVID world, we are thrilled to be partnering with the MRAA team to bring more educational solutions to this industry.

Dealership Advantage is a leading Dealer Management Software (DMS) platform putting data and information in the hands of its users. DA is based on modern, mobile-first technology empowering customers to manage their business effectively from anywhere.
 Comprised of a team of software and industry experts headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., Dealership Advantage combines their industry expertise with a modular DMS offering including Sales, CRM, Parts Inventory Management, Service, and Rentals modules
 to help customers increase revenues, margins and service efficiencies.

Dealership Advantage, who joined MRAA as a Partner Member in 2020, has matured from its boat dealer roots into a nurturing resource for dealers, by offering them flexible
 and uncomplicated solutions that can generate higher margins and improved workflows. As Education Champion, Dealership Advantage can help dealers streamline operations, build a devoted customer base and enrich employee satisfaction by installing more
 efficient systems and processes.

Through Partner Membership, marine manufacturers, suppliers and service providers can align their brands with the MRAA programs, including education and training, to effectively reach the dealer body and
 fuel success within the industry. Support from Partners enables the Association to expand its offerings and create a positive, long-term impact in the business of MRAA members.

“We are thrilled to have Dealership Advantage step up as an
 Education Champion by supporting the educational efforts and programming offered by the MRAA,” says Allison Gruhn, MRAA Director of Business Development. “Again, it’s rewarding for our members to have their needs met by an organization with marine
 industry roots and knowledge of its underpinnings. Dealership Advantage’s expertise with software and DMS is very solid.”

About Dealership Advantage
Dealership Advantage is a well-funded, fast-growing software and services
 company located in the Riverview Building near downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Carefully designed to make a dealer’s life easier, Dealership Advantage is a dealer management software platform providing Sales, Service, Parts Management, Rental
 Bookings, and Analytics accessible from any browser without requiring on-site installation. We build software for the marine, watersports and powersports industries. The company also provides Financing and Aftermarket Sales to dealerships
 as a third party, making them an all-in-one solution. Our specialties include: Technology, Marine, Marina Management Software, Dealer Management System, Boat Dealer Software, Financing, Financial Service, Aftermarket Products, Marina Management System,
 Dealer Consulting and Marine Software. For more information, visit  www.dealershipadvantage.com or contact us at 616-210-1060.

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.