The MRAA is working with the U.S. Congress to address water resource problems around both the Great Lakes and the Upper Mississippi River Basin. We are looking for specific projects to point out to Congress, and to help them develop flood plans for the region. Is flooding affecting your business? Please email MRAA Government Relations Manager Adam Fortier-Brown at adam@mraa.com to provide your comments.
The Boat House Group Acquires Bald Knob Marina
The Boat House Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of Bald Knob Marina in Johnsburg, IL. This transaction represents a significant step towards aggressively expanding the dealership footprint while supporting the growth and customer base of The Boat House and Bald Knob Marina. The acquisition will combine the current Boat House Chicago and Bald Knob Marina dealerships into one entity while maintaining The Boat House Chicago brand.
Kevin Code, CEO of The Boat House, provided these comments: “The acquisition of Bald Knob Marina allows us to strengthen our position in the Midwest by giving us greater access to Illinois boaters with a premier location and strong ties to the boating community in the Chain O’ Lakes area. We’re excited to work with Bill Wehrs, Jr. and the rest of the team at Bald Knob to add our competencies and develop an exciting destination point on the water. Our goal as a company has been to achieve greater visibility in the area and this acquisition provides just that, with no impact on staffing and adding additional services to our business that help to fulfill our customers’ lifestyle on the water.”
Bill Wehrs Jr., former owner of Bald Knob Marina, was quoted as saying “Kevin and his team have a great vision for the future of this facility, and we are eager to move forward. The Boat House provides our team with additional resources to grow while continuing to offer the service that our customers have come to expect at Bald Knob Marina. I am thrilled to have found such a strong company to take this facility and further develop what our family started, to maximize the potential”.
Bald Knob Marina has been in operation more than 30 years and has developed a strong customer following in the market area. The combination of the two dealerships will bring many synergies as it ties together the strength of The Boat House boat brands and Bald Knob’s established marina services. The acquisition will provide a full spectrum of services and products that support customers as they enjoy their lifestyle on the water.
About The Boat House
The Boat House is a family owned multi store marine dealership with 4 Midwest and 3 Florida locations. Our mission is to supply our customers with a superior boat buying and ownership experience by offering premium brands, professional staff, first class service and 360º solutions including: New & Used Boat Sales, On Site and Mobile Service, Storage, Parts, Pro Shop, Pier and Lift Services, Long and Short Term Boat Rentals, Boat Clubs, In-House Financing, Consignments, On Water Demonstrations and Community Boating Events. We believe boating enhances our lives through meaningful relationships and time well spent. We are lifetime boaters eager to share our passion and experience with you.
RIMTA CEO, Wendy Mackie, to Keynote Taiwan International Boat Show
The Taiwan International Boat Show takes place from March 12-15, 2020 at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center. This year, Wendy Mackie, CEO of Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA), will be one of the keynote speakers at the boat show’s summit: Global Market, Trends and Design on Friday March 13th. Her topic is on US Boating Market Opportunity and Talent Development.
US dealers and manufacturers are invited to exhibit at the show. Federal funding to support your exhibition space may be available through your economic development department or Small Business Administration office.
Additionally, if companies are interested in buying services or products in Taiwan, the Taiwan government may offset costs of your travel and coordinate and facilitate meetings with targeted companies for that purpose.
Please contact Wendy Mackie at wendy@rimta.org or 508-280-6755 for more information.
The Pre-Certification Assessment
Intent: For the Dealer to understand where they need improvement and for the consultant to understand where and how they can help.
The Marine Industry Certified Dealership program’s Pre-Certification Assessment is the base from which the program begins.
We could argue that the Pre-Certification Assessment is one of the most important steps in the MICD program. It is the step that sets the context for the work that you will be doing (and achieving!!) throughout the Certification process. The Pre-Certification Assessment allows you to take a hard look at your business and analyze which areas you believe you’re already strong in and which you believe your consultant can help the most with.
So our challenge to you is to take time on your Pre-Certification Assessment. Really think about where your processes break down, or where you need more structure. Be thoughtful and honest in your completion of the assessment. Doing so will help you get the most out of the Certification program, allowing you to draw on the experience and knowledge of your consultant and the entire Certification team in helping your business improve.
MRAA Members Testify in Indiana
On January 27, the Indiana House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing on an amendment to House Bill 1385 #2, which would allow boaters to wake surf behind a forward-facing engine. MRAA, along with its partners, the National Marine Manufacturer Association and Water Sports Industry Association supported this measure.
Two MRAA members, Preston Schenkel of N3 Boatworks and Mike Hoffman of the Marine Center of Indiana both testified in support of this amendment, along with NMMA’s Jill Sims. Together, they provided expert testimony, and were well equipped to answer questions from committee members on the effects of this legislation on the recreational boating industry in Indiana.
The amendment was adopted unanimously by consent of the committee, and if passed, would allow outdoor enthusiasts in the Hoosier state to enjoy the same cutting-edge technology that boaters in every other state can.
If you have questions, please contact MRAA Government Relations Manager, Adam Fortier-Brown.
MRAA Stands Up to Over Fishing in Chesapeake Bay
On January 29, the Virginia House of Delegates Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on HB 1448, Menhaden; Management of the Fishery, which would transfer management authority for the fishery from Virginia’s General Assembly, to the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC). All other marine fisheries in the state are managed by VMRC. MRAA is highly engaged in supporting this bill, and bringing Virginia into compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Interstate Management Plan. Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross has threatened to place a temporary ban on the Chesapeake Bay’s menhaden fishery if the commonwealth does not comply with federal quotas by June 17, 2020.
MRAA Board member Jason Murphy from Norfolk Marine testified before the Committee in support of this important legislation. “Menhaden play a critical role in the ecosystem, supporting striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, and many other highly sought-after recreational fish stocks, worth tens of billions of dollars along the Atlantic coast,” said Murphy. “Passage of HB1448 will help support thousands of jobs in the recreational boating industry, and allow fishermen and anglers along the Atlantic coast to participate in this major economic driver for years to come.”
The committee voted in favor of HB 1448, 13-7. It now will go to the General Assembly for approval.
If you have questions, please contact MRAA Government Relations Manager, Adam Fortier-Brown.
MRAA fights “Right to Repair” in Maine
On January 23, the Maine State Legislature Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business held a hearing on a bill (HB 1977) that would require manufacturers to provide comprehensive information and access to software and tools needed to repair products – including electronics, and marine engines— to untrained and uncertified technicians and individuals. MRAA opposes this measure, and is actively engaged in preventing it from becoming law.
MRAA member Rob Brown from Clark Marine, testified before the committee to explain the negative effects of this bill on the boating industry, and the importance of having a certified technician work on marine engines. In his testimony, Brown explained that “marine engines can become a very serious liability if modified incorrectly… a technician who is not up to date with manufacturer repair and or service practices, [could] unwittingly put the user and their families at risk when they are out on the water.”
Read the MRAA’s submitted testimony on LD 1977, or listen to a recording of the hearing here.
If you have questions, please contact MRAA Government Relations Manager, Adam Fortier-Brown.
Ed Lofgren Awarded MRAA Lifetime Achievement Award
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas named Ed Lofgren of 3A Marine Service, Inc., Hingham, Mass., as its 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Last week, Lofgren was recognized for his deep passion and dedication to his local, state, national and North American boating industry for more than 50 years.
In addition to owning and operating a leading Marine Industry Certified Dealership, 3A Marine Service, he served on the MRAA Board of Directors for 9 years, and as Chairman in 2009 and 2010. During his time on the board, he helped to found and subsequently became the biggest champion of the MRAA Educational Foundation. He continued to serve as President of the Foundation for many years after he stepped off of the MRAA Board.
“Ed Lofgren has made, and continues to make, significant impact across the marine industry,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “He has always been a great proponent for continuing education and advocated for the future of boating, especially around the topic of our industry’s workforce.”
Across his home state of Massachusetts, Ed has been equally as active in furthering the success of the marine industry. He currently serves as the chairman of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust and is a current board member of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association. Additionally, he is a strong force behind growing post-secondary education opportunities for aspiring marine technicians.
MMTA Executive Director Randall Lyons said he often refers to Ed as “Mr. Education,” because he has been so involved in helping improve the workforce. “He is the first person to offer his time, energy and resources to help achieve educational goals within the boating industry,” Lyons commented.
The MRAA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented on January 23rd during the Massachusetts Marine Trade Association’s Business of Boating (BoB) Conference in Foxborough, Mass.
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.
MRAA, MICD Launch 2020 Continuous Certification Curriculum
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has announced the lineup for the 2020 Continuous Certification curriculum, as part of the Marine Industry Certified Dealership (MICD) program.
The Continuous Certification program is a year-long education program that teaches marine retailers how to improve upon their already premier operations that were improved throughout the initial MICD process. Continuous Certification delivers relevant, timely, high-impact, in-depth education customized exclusively for Certified Dealers to maintain their Certified status.
“The MRAA Certification team is looking forward to another great year of valuable-packed content for Certified Dealers,” said Liz Keener, MRAA Certification Manager. “Each quarter, subject matter experts will deliver a message that marine dealers across North America told us were topics that they needed more information and guidance on. We are thrilled to announce the lineup for 2020.”
The 2020 courses include: Maximize Your Boat Show Sales by Don Cooper; Take Your Employee Satisfaction to the Next Level by Bob McCann and Liz Keener; Update Your Sales Process for Today’s Marine Market with Jim Million; and Improve Your Service Shop from the Inside Out with Valerie Ziebron.
The MICD program has already kicked off the 2020 Continuous Certification Curriculum with the first quarter course, Maximize Your Boat Show Sales, with Don Cooper of the Sales Heretic, available to those who have already enrolled in the program for 2020.
Maximize Your Boat Show Sales kicked off in early January, just in time for most dealers to get a fresh dose of education before their first boat show of the season. In the first quarter, Don Cooper, a former MRAA Conference & Expo speaker, covers the during and after stages of the boat show, helping dealers better qualify their leads and follow up with those prospects to increase sales and get more consumers enjoying the boating lifestyle.
For more information on Continuous Certification or the MICD programs, contact MRAA Certification Manager, Liz Keener at lizk@mraa.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, contact us at 763-315-8043.
There’s Always A Reason For That
When I think of the word intent, my mind often takes a step further and thinks of the word intentions. With anything that you make a commitment to – relationships, your health, continuing your education – there are always intentions attached.
So much like everything the association does, there is intent behind each resource and program that is built. For example, the Marine Industry Certified Dealership program…
Since the initial program was built, the intention of the program has always been to provide a set of standards or benchmarks that marine dealerships can strive for. It is not the intention of the program for a third-party (MRAA) to come in and tell marine retailers (you) how to run a business. The most rewarding part of the process for the MRAA Certification team is to witness the unique ways dealers across North America run their operations. Now that they program is 15 years old, we can tell you with confidence that not one location is exactly the same as another.
This is why we have clear intentions for each step of the program. Over the course of the next few months, members of the MRAA Certification team will walk you through the intentions and thought process behind each section of the MICD program. Make sure to follow along!
