The 2014 dealer event will feature four educational tracks, two keynote addresses, and more dedicated expo hall time then ever before.
ORLANDO – Today, organizers kick off the grand opening of registration for a Marine Dealer Conference & Expo that features more educational offerings and more expo hall time than ever before. MDCE 2014 is scheduled to take place Nov. 16-19, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
For the first time in the event’s history, attendees can select from four educational tracks – Leadership, Sales, Marketing and Service Plus – designed specifically to address the most critical aspects of marine dealer operations. In addition, following the successful launch of the MDCE Pre-Conference Workshops in 2013, this feature will return with an even more impactful line-up of hands-on sessions attendees won’t find anywhere else. Finally, attendees will now benefit from both an Opening and Closing Keynote Address.
“Every aspect of this event is designed to make a real difference in the working lives of our attendees,” says Liz Walz, Director of Education for the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “That’s why we have increased our investment in the MDCE educational line-up for the second year in a row. This year’s expanded agenda offers more real-life solutions to dealers’ toughest problems and more proven paths to new opportunities than any MDCE yet.”
Dealers who register now will receive a $25 early bird discount off of the full registration rate of $499. Members of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas receive an additional $75 off of their registration, for a total discount of $100.
“While education is a top priority for MDCE attendees, dealers have also asked us for more networking time on the expo floor,” commented Boating Industry Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Sweet. “In response, we took a fresh approach to the schedule that will allow both attendees and exhibitors to make the most of their time at MDCE.”
To receive the $25 early bird discount, registrants need only visit www.mraa.com/MDCE and register before September 19th. MRAA members should log into the website with their username and password before registering to receive their $75 member discount on top of the early bird discount.
“Without the phenomenal support we’ve received from the industry, we wouldn’t be able to increase our service to the marine dealer community at MDCE again this year,” explained Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to expand this event, as it is one of the most powerful ways we can contribute to the growth and improvement of marine retailers and the industry at large.”
This year’s host hotel will be the Rosen Centre, located adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center. As a bonus for 2014, the MDCE expo floor is located directly across the walkway from the Rosen Centre.
For more information about MDCE 2014, please visit www.mraa.com/MDCE or contact Liz Walz at liz@mraa.com or 315-692-4533. To inquire about exhibit opportunities, please contact Kathy Johnson at kathy.johnson@boatingindustry.com or 480-988-3658.
About MDCE
The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo is the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas’ annual conference and member meeting. As the marine industry’s only dealer-specific educational conference, the MDCE features an in-depth line-up of educational topics, a full-featured expo hall, and a series of fixed networking opportunities, all of which are designed to help marine dealers connect with and learn from others who can foster their success. The MDCE is co-produced by the MRAA and Boating Industry, and it offers pre-conference workshops, two keynote presentations, three tracks of educational content, and more than 20 sessions in all. It will be held Nov. 16-19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Visit www.mraa.com/MDCE to learn more.