Recently, Governor Maura Healey signed the 2024 state budget, which included $150,000 in funding for workforce development and career technical education initiatives within the recreational boating industry. This funding will continue the successful initiatives and progress that the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) has made over the last 5-plus years to help meet the workforce […]
Tag: marine industry
Boat Fix, Bentley Pontoons Join Forces on Bentley 24/7 Assurance
SOUTHPORT, CONN. – Boat Fix, a recreational boating telematics company that provides a combination of remote monitoring, GPS tracking, sophisticated geofencing and 24/7 live customer support, announced today it has partnered with Bentley Pontoons to launch its Bentley 24/7 Assurance program, which will be included on purchases of all 2024 model year boats. Bentley 24/7 […]
First Approval Source Advances to MRAA Education Champion
• The recreational loan specialist increased its support of MRAA’s mission through both enhanced membership and Dealer Week participation MINNEAPOLIS — First Approval Source, a recreational loan specialist serving the boating and other industries, increased its support of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, by upgrading to an MRAA Education Champion, strengthening its support of […]
MRAA Adds New Director of Government Relations to Amplify Advocacy Efforts
MINNEAPOLIS, August 15, 2023 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced that it has added Mike Sayre as Director of Government Relations. As dealers face significant regulatory and legislative challenges to their businesses, the MRAA is ramping up its government relations efforts to ensure the voice of the dealers is represented in the […]
The Service Shuffle
A look at service department pain points and potential solutions from MRAA’s recent Pulse Report. To be an elite dealership, you need your Service & Parts Departments to follow and maintain a tight, structured schedule, yet remain flexible to effectively upsell and schedule future work to add cash flow. However, it’s not easy to be […]
Skier’s Choice Increases Support to MRAA as an Education Champion
• Boat manufacturer enhances MRAA membership, to participate at Dealer Week 2023 MINNEAPOLIS — Skier’s Choice, manufacturer of Supra and Moomba performance boats, increased its partnership level with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas by becoming an Education Champion. Its partnership strengthens MRAA’s critical mission of supporting dealers and the Dealer Week Conference and Expo. […]
VRZ Consulting Commits to MRAA as Platinum Partner, Dealer Week 2023 Host
MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces that VRZ Consulting has increased its MRAA support level to a Platinum Partner Member and Dealer Week Host. VRZ Consulting supports the MRAA’s programs and opportunities provided to the dealer body in an effort to fuel the success of the industry. Commitments from Platinum Partners […]
Northpoint Commercial Finance Appoints Gary W. Childress to Vice President Marine Operations
August 10, 2023, ALPHARETTA, GA. – Northpoint Commercial Finance CEO Dan Radley recently announced the appointment of Gary W. Childress to Vice President of Marine Operations. A marine industry veteran with 30 years of leadership experience in sales, operations and strategic planning, Childress will now spearhead and direct day-to-day operations including initiatives with key Northpoint […]
The Rational Walk to Success: Embracing the Pre-Owned Boat Market
By Bob McCann, Lead MICD Program Consultant When I made the walk from the automotive industry to the marine industry in 1999, two areas of concern jumped out at me. A Missed Opportunity: Neglecting Customer-Pay ServiceThe observation of a missed opportunity in service was mostly my ignorance of the enormity of the dealer’s role in […]
Discover Boating: ‘Understanding Boat Capacity and Carriage Requirements’
• Fifth episode in digital video series focused on safe boating operation, Powered by Progressive® Insurance As part of the brand’s efforts to reinforce safety guidelines, Discover Boating launched the final episode in its five-part digital video series in partnership with Progressive® Insurance. In episode five, “Capacity and Carriage Requirements,” viewers learn about necessary boat capacity requirements as […]