marine industry professionals
Dammrich disputes misuse of Grow Boating funds
Funds that used to go to Grow Boating are being used to help dealers sell boats in the down market, Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Grow Boating Inc., told Soundings Trade Only this morning.
The comments were made in response to the Marine Retailers Association of America's announcement earlier this week that it will launch a study into how 85 percent of Grow Boating engine assessment funds were used last year to increase boat sales.
The Advisory Council of Marine Associations asked the MRAA to look into the issue, saying that when the Grow Boating national campaign was suspended, 85 percent of the assessments were intended to go toward efforts designed to increase dealer sales.
"Grow Boating never billed the boatbuilders or engine builders for that money, we just reduced the assessment by 85 percent," Dammrich said. "I am confident that most, if not all, manufacturers have done exactly that. I've talked to dealers who have said 'Yes, manufacturers have helped me a lot.' "
There may have been confusion on some people's parts that dealers would receive a payment equal to 85 percent of the assessment and that was never the intention, Dammrich said. However, manufacturers have used the money to help reduce the cost of boat show participation, for rebate programs and other efforts.
The ACMA, however, said it has been unable to find dealers who can substantiate receipt of any Grow Boating support, the MRAA reported earlier this week.
Since the change in the Grow Boating program, the total dollars available for the efforts are down 92 percent, Dammrich said.
"With 8 percent of the money we still achieved 36 percent of the DVD requests, 19 percent of the hot prospects, 23 percent of the Web traffic and 40 percent of the PR results," he said. "Every dollar that we did get for Grow Boating was used extraordinarily productively to continue to produce good results for the industry."
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• Why was the majority of advertising placed in boating related publications, when the idea should have been to reach non-boaters in other types of publications?
I AGREE! Doesnt Discover Boating imply going outside to let non-boaters "discover" boating? Fail.
• Shouldn't the purpose of the NMMA membership funds include promoting the industry to non-boaters?
YES!!! This is not happening. I do not see new boaters in my line of work. Like, at all.
From an advertising of boating perspective, the NMMA has failed us. There are sites out there that are popping up for marine where you can meet boaters and talk to boaters and help them along the process of being in marine. Real cool stuff. Why isn't the NMMA talking to these people? Why arent they putting there $$$ there? TheOpenSea.com is one that I like a lot, but there are others. Folks, this stuff is free, it's accessible, it lets you do a lot with no expense and helps you reach people you cant reach today.
The FLEECING of the Dealer, that's what "Grow Boating" is all about.
It always pissed me off to see that deduction on our invoices. That some low-life fat cat could cut into my hard earned money. And make me work for him without my say. I never was a member, nor would I fall for that crap.
I think there should be a class action lawsuit on this one!
Boat and component manufacturers were forced to have each of their models inspected at their own expense so they could be labeled "NMMA Certified".
If your boats or equipment weren't certified, you put your membership in "jeparody". If we didn't build quality products, the public would stop buying from us and we'd be out of business. I for one, would not stand for being strong-armed into inspection. I believe my exact words were. "Take your membership and stick-it"
Some obvious questions that have occurred to me in past years are:
• Why was the advertising company that handled Grow Boating selected BEFORE the program was initiated? Why wasn't the Grow Boating advertising campaign subject to competitive bidding?
• Why did ALL members contribute, and then only select members receive stimulus funds?
• Why was the majority of advertising placed in boating related publications, when the idea should have been to reach non-boaters in other types of publications?
• Shouldn't the purpose of the NMMA membership funds include promoting the industry to non-boaters?
The Grow Boating Campain is a travesty! I have seen nothing come out of this "TAX" that has helped this dealer.
When someone says they are going to take our money and "help us" you can be assured it will do nothing but cost us.
The NMMA has never been and never will be "kind" to dealers. It is nothing but a money machine for personal gain. Example, Norwalk Boat Show, 80% of the boats were not there compared to last year yet there wasn't any discount on space, or more space for the same buck. Any dealer that had space should be refunded their entire amount paid. This story could go on and on regarding the tactics of the NMMA. It should not be supported any further by any manufacture. When called for statistic's regarding jobs lost, manufactueres lost and any data regarding the economy and the loss of revenue to dealers etc. the response was we don't have that information. What info do they have then? One would have to ponder, exactly what do they do. Lobby for what, ethanol gas reduction? big deal. If we can't sell boats because we can't get wholesale financing and retail as well, ethanol won't be a worry. I repeat, what do they really do besides put on boats shows to fill their coffers.
Gary Dobrindt, The Boat Center