New format reaches more dealerships than ever before, as 578 first-time attendees participate in educational sessions.
More than 1,040 dealership personnel participated in Dealer Week 2020, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas’ annual conference and expo, setting an all-time record for dealer attendance.
The 1,047 total dealer attendance figure smashed the previous record of 650 participants at an MRAA Annual Conference, representing more than a 61-percent increase, and surpassed the total attendance at the inaugural in-person Dealer Week in 2019 by 77 percent.
“We set an ambitious three-year goal of attracting 1,000 dealership personnel to Dealer Week by 2022, and are thrilled that we actually hit that goal in the very first year,” explained Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “While many organizations described their business moves in 2020 as a ‘pivot,’ our team here at the MRAA didn’t pivot, but rather doubled-down on our mission of delivering dealers the tools, resources and educational programming they need to find success. We said all along that the move to virtual would accelerate our ability to reach more dealers, and it’s so rewarding to have made that a reality.”
Dealer Week 2020 saw a record 578 first-time participants, representing 55 percent of all dealer attendees. Nearly 350 dealership entities, representing 860 individual dealership locations, joined in the educational event. And 128, or 37 percent of those businesses, participated in the MRAA Annual Conference for the very first time. The virtual platform also expanded MRAA’s reach globally, as Dealer Week attracted dealership personnel from 9 different countries, including Australia, Japan, Russia, Poland and Kuwait.
“We delivered on our promise to provide Dealer Week attendees a powerful collection of educational courses that are timely and relevant to today’s market,” explained MRAA Brand Manager Mike Davin. “Our purpose is always to supply ideas, insights and inspiration to Dealer Week attendees and to aid them in their success. With the uncertainty we know will impact the 2021 market place, this content is more important to dealers than ever before, and the need for it has become clear in the number of dealers who decided to participate in this event.”
Dealer Week 2020 was held Tuesday, Dec. 8, through Friday, Dec. 11. The annual conference offers more than 30 educational opportunities to prepare marine businesses for the new year and beyond. The event, available to attendees and new registrants through March 31, 2021, offers 18 education sessions (including three dealer case studies) spread over three pathways, several thought leader presentations, pre- and post-event webinars for viewing, networking and much more. It includes more than 80 individual exhibit spaces featuring dealer-focused products presented by industry partners.
It’s not too late to register and join this record audience. Learn more at www.DealerWeek.com.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, contact us at 763-315-8043.
About Dealer Week
For nearly 50 years, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has delivered world class educational programming to dealers, retailers and service operations that power the boating industry and serve today’s boaters. Dealer Week evolves as MRAA’s rebranded and reimagined annual conference and expo, a profoundly new event experience designed to engage, energize and empower the dealer community. The MRAA envisions a brighter future for marine retail, and Dealer Week is the preeminent means for bringing that vision to life. Learn more at DealerWeek.com.