An efficient and profitable dealership parts department helps customers secure what they need to get back on the water as fast as possible. But without an easy way to locate parts and estimate delivery times, it’s anyone’s guess when boats and engines will be fixed. At the 2014 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, taking place […]

Today’s young professionals are the future of the retail marine industry. But if the next generation is not ready to face the unique challenges that come with being a dealership proprietor, it risks jeopardizing business stability and making the march forward an uphill climb. At the 2014 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, taking place Nov. […]

Registrations for the 2014 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo are at a record high of 683 following the close of the event’s Early Bird registration period, which ended at midnight Central Time on Friday, Sept. 19. This number represents a 14.4-percent increase over registration figures at the same time last year. Last year’s Early Bird […]

In today’s rapidly changing digital marketing environment, it can be a challenge for even the savviest of marine dealerships to stay atop the latest Internet trends. Dealers may question whether their efforts are paying off, if they’re using the available tools to their maximum capacity, or if there’s a better way entirely to market their […]

Everyone seeks to improve and grow their business, whether the focus is revenue, profits, customer loyalty, employee satisfaction, or all of the above. But without smart goals and a step-by-step plan to reach them, it’s unlikely you’ll move the needle. At the 2014 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, taking place Nov. 16-19 in Orlando, Fla., […]

Without being aware of it, many dealerships discourage their best prospects from buying. To stem the tide of runaway sales, businesses need to know what they’re inadvertently doing to turn prospects away and counteract these measures with positive momentum designed to win sales and create customer loyalty. At the 2014 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, […]

MINNEAPOLIS, September 12, 2014 — The manufacturer rep/dealer relationship can be a delicate one. But when a true partnership is built, it can prove equally rewarding to both parties. Reps can help dealers select the right products and services for the local market, and the two parties can work together to provide excellent goods and […]

With day-to-day dealership operations requiring so much attention to detail and focus on the minutia of each individual sale, it’s easy to overlook a key factor to overall dealership success: The investment, engagement and satisfaction of your employees. At the 2014 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, taking place Nov. 16-19 in Orlando, Fla., MDCE favorite […]

In order for a dealership to achieve industry-leading customer loyalty and profitability, it must employ a highly effective service team. Many dealers are finding that to be a challenge today. Not only are they struggling to find qualified technicians to fill open positions, but increased competition also makes it more difficult to retain employees. At […]

Providing dealership customers with finance and insurance options when they buy a new or pre-owned boat can be a big boost to your business’ bottom line. But when buyers opt for outside F&I products, dealers lose out on a major profit center; additionally, customers miss a golden opportunity to secure excellent, marine-specific coverage and protection […]