The relationship among dealers, manufacturers and customers is more critical than ever. By Matt Gruhn, MRAA President In 2018, an eye-opening report surfaced about the health of the marine industry. It revealed the attrition rates of first-time boat buyers. Close to 40% were selling their boats and leaving boating within the first five years of […]
Tag: marine industry
Don’t Split Up the Team
How the strength of the dealer-manufacturer relationship drives customer loyalty. By Matt Gruhn, MRAA President “Don’t split up the team,” Christina Fliakos said. Nearly 50 dealers and manufacturers paused their conversations and turned to Fliakos, who is Senior Manager of Parts and Service Processes at Brunswick Corp.’s Service Center of Excellence. They had been buzzing […]
Beer vs. Boats
In the game of trying to stabilize inventory, there really is no difference. By Matt Gruhn, MRAA President Have you ever played The Beer Game? No, I’m not talking about a frat-house game. I’m talking about The Beer Game as chronicled in the book The Fifth Discipline. The book shares the story of three businesses — a […]
6 New Partner Members Join the MRAA
MINNEAPOLIS, November 19, 2024 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces the addition of 1st Mate Logistics, Amplified People Solutions, Bonsai Media Group, Canopy Financial, Granfort USA Marine Distribution and My Financing USA as its newest Partner Members. Marine manufacturers, suppliers and service providers, through Partner Membership, commit to aligning their brands with […]
General Election Update – Implications for Recreational Boating Industry
By Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager & Mike Sayre, MRAA Director of Government Relations As the results from the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, continue to take shape it is clear that Donald Trump has emerged as winner of both the popular and electoral college votes, and will be named the 47th President […]
Discover Boating Dealer Finder Drives Increased Users to Dealer Sites in 2024
Over the last 12 months, Discover Boating’s Dealer Finder tool saw a significant increase in the amount of people it drove to dealer sites, indicating the value of this tool to potential boat buyers. As today’s consumer expects to be in control more than ever, Discover Boating Dealer Finder puts the consumer at the helm, allowing them to research, […]
6 Tips to Elevate Your Online Marketing Strategy: The Power of Exposure
By Courtney Chalmers, VP of Marketing, Boats Group, an MRAA Strategic Partner With longer boat sales cycles and more buyers making purchase decisions online – and likely before they meet a seller in person – you need to adapt your marketing strategies. Achieving maximum visibility across digital channels throughout the sales journey is essential for […]
Corporate Transparency Act Update and Reminder
Filed yet? If not, here is what you need to know! Starting January 1, 2025, all business entities are required to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau of the U.S. Department of Treasury. The Corporate Transparency Act established the new requirement, which was put in place to combat money […]
2024 Discover Boating Brand Campaign Attracts Millions
Discover Boating’s 2024 Year-Round Brand Experience Attracts 6.5 Million People to Its Digital and In-Person Experiences Over the past 12 months, Discover Boating, powered by NMMA and MRAA, has been working hard to attract the next generation to the boating lifestyle while simultaneously retaining current boaters. Through Discover Boating’s year-round, fully integrated omni channel strategy – including the […]
Momentum Builds for Dealer Week 2024 in Orlando
MINNEAPOLIS, October 16 – Currently, more than 400 marine dealers have already registered to attend the Dealer Week 2024 Conference and Expo announces the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, after its Early Bird registration period ended on September 30. “Traditionally about half or a little less than half of our dealer attendees take advantage […]
