In
my work life, the only thing that rivals my passion for the marine
industry is my passion for professional development. I’m a lifelong
boater, and I’m also a lifelong learner.

Unlike boating, it took
me quite a while to love educational opportunities. I was an average
student in high school, a below-average student in junior college, and I
improved only slightly when I moved on to a four-year college. But in
my professional life, and particularly when I became editor of a trade
publication, something ignited the fire in me.

I began attending
educational conferences. I went through the Dale Carnegie Course. I now
read more books in a single year than I did in the first 30 years of my
life combined. And the only thing that prevented me from going back to
get a Master’s Degree was the recent recession.

In my role here at
MRAA, it’s my hope to instill that same desire for lifelong learning in
our membership and to help them realize that desire in themselves
through a host of professional development benefits. Right now, the
Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, at which MRAA members receive a $50
(per registrant) discount, is the focal point of that, but I can assure
you that you’ll see similar benefits sprout up in the coming days,
weeks and months.

I’m thrilled to be arriving at this year’s MDCE early (tomorrow) and to be assisting MRAA’s great partners at Boating Industry magazine as they prep this year’s conference for your arrival.

I
love the MDCE because it gives me a first-hand opportunity to talk
face-to-face with all kinds of dealers and all the businesses that are
so interested in the success of the marine dealer body. The networking
you can do at MDCE is more than worth the price of admission, so I
encourage you to take every opportunity to get there, meet a new face
and learn something from them.

And while you’re at it, please make
sure to stop by the MRAA booth (number 601) and learn about all the new
opportunities we’re creating for you and your business. And I’d love to
hear what you think we can do to serve you better.

See you in Orlando!