• MRAA Advocacy update: New bill addressing boat loan interest deduction will make boat ownership more affordable for everyday Americans WASHINGTON (Jan. 28, 2026) — The No Tax on Boat Loan Interest Act of 2026, recently introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace, proposes extending the above‑the‑line loan interest deduction available for American‑made motor vehicles to include […]
Tag: matt gruhn
MRAA Releases 2025 Marine Retail Compensation Study to Help Dealers Strengthen Their Workforce
• New research provides critical benchmarking insight into compensation, benefit and workforce structure across marine dealerships MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 30, 2025 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) has released the 2025 Marine Retail Compensation Study, delivering the most comprehensive, marine-specific analysis of dealership compensation and workforce trends available in the industry. Developed in […]
MRAA Invests in AI Innovation at digitalNow 2025 to Enhance Member Experience
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) recently attended the digitalNow 2025 conference by Sidecar — a premier gathering of association leaders focused on harnessing artificial intelligence to drive innovation and improve member engagement. Through immersive sessions and collaborative networking, MRAA gained actionable insights to strengthen AIMIE, our intelligent member experience platform and refine […]
MRAA President Matt Gruhn Receives William B. Otto Award
MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 7, 2025 — Matt Gruhn, President of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), was honored by the National Marine Lenders Association with the 2025 William B. Otto III Marine Industry Service Award, recognizing his outstanding vision, leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing the marine industry. The William B. Otto Award, established […]
System Reset: Today’s Boat Buyer is Not Yesterday’s
Today’s customer expects more — a smarter, more engaging dealership experience. The choice is clear: invest in your team, your tools, and your future to meet the moment, or wait for the market to change on its own.
MAPOceans Act Passes Senate
• New legislation would modernize accessibility to saltwater recreational fishing regulations and marine waters navigation information WASHINGTON, September 12, 2025 – Saltwater anglers, hunters and marine recreationists joined the, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, National Marine Manufacturers Association, American Sportfishing Association and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in cheering Senate passage […]
Marine Industry Gathers for NMTC Conference
• National Marine Trades Council (NMTC) Hosts Annual Conference to Discuss Workforce Development, Advocacy, Marketing and More PORTLAND, MAINE, August 13, 2025 – The National Marine Trades Council (NMTC) successfully concluded its annual conference, hosted July 21-24 by the Maine Marine Trades Association (MMTA) at the Portland Harbor Hotel in Maine. The event brought together marine […]
Why Marine Dealers Should Attend the American Boating Congress: Advocacy, Networking, Impact
By Liz Keener, MRAA Senior Director of Dealer Development During the opening night dinner at the American Boating Congress, organizers invited first-time attendees to stand up. There were dealers, manufacturer representatives and industry suppliers who rose from their chairs — and, of course, me. For 14 years, I had heard of this event — ABC […]
MRAA Supports ‘25 in 2025’ Campaign
Campaign issues challenge to states to create the 25th office of outdoor recreation WASHINGTON — Along with leading outdoor recreation organizations from across the United States led by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas celebrates the launch of the ‘25 in 2025’ campaign, a challenge to states to create […]
MRAA Announces 2025 Board of Directors
MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 21, 2025) – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces Joe Lewis as Chairman and four new additions to its board of directors. Lewis of Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina in Mount Dora, Florida, is the longest serving board member, having been on the MRAA Board since 2009. He previously served […]