Registrations Boom for Event with Uncertain Future
December’s Marine Dealer Conference and Expo will be the last produced by MRAA and Boating Industry magazine.
MDCE
The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo is the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas’ annual conference and member meeting. The MDCE is the marine industry’s only dealer-specific educational conference; the fall event offers educational topics, an expo hall and networking opportunities.
MRAA taking applications for fully-funded MDCE scholarships
Recipients will be selected in early November.
Boating Industry magazine no longer involved in MDCE
MRAA says dealer conference will continue with new name
BREAKING NEWS: Boating Industry magazine no longer involved in MDCE, MRAA says dealer conference will continue with new name
Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Boating Industry have agreed to end their partnership that directed the Marine Dealer Conference and Exhibition after a decade of co-producing the event.
MRAA talent show open for nominations
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has opened the call for nominations and applications process for the “Fork It Over” Marine Industry Talent Show.
MDCE names closing keynote speaker
Troy Hazard will talk about the challenges that lie ahead for dealers in “Future-Proofing Your Dealership.”
Webinar gets dealers geared up for MDCE 2018 as registration begins
Dealer registration for the 2018 Marine Dealer Conference and Expo, which runs Dec. 9-12 in Orlando, Fla., is open, offering discounts for those who sign up this month.
Digital technology expert hosting webinar for dealers tomorrow
Through a partnership with Grow Boating and the Marine Retailers of the Americas, the 2017 Marine Dealer Conference and Expo opening keynote presenter Tim Sanders will host a webinar on Tuesday.
MDCE seeking seminar proposals
Organizers of the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo are seeking educational-session proposals from potential speakers for the 2018 conference that will take place Dec. 9-12 in Orlando, Fla.
At MDCE, dealers look to the future
The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo this past December had recurring themes, and they weren’t sugarcoated: Workforce shortages desperately need to be addressed, and boat dealers must embrace a retail landscape that has completely changed from the one that existed just five years ago.
MDCE 2017: MRAA announces new health-care program for dealers
Health care costs have been one of the biggest challenges for boat dealers, making it difficult to retain workers.
MDCE 2017: Dealers urged to make training an important priority
The No. 1 reason people leave their job has nothing to do with money.
MDCE 2017: Dealers urged to have answers at website to questions customers ask
When Marcus Sheridan’s business tanked along with the economy, his fiberglass pool company was on the brink of bankruptcy. So he decided to start to answer customers’ questions on his website.
MDCE 2017: Dealers urged to reach out to customers to improve service
Some speakers at the Marine Dealer Conference and Expo seemed to have at least one common thread, regardless of the subject matter.
MDCE 2017: Dealers urged to meet customers’ digital expectations
Tim Sanders remembers pitching Blockbuster on digitizing the company’s business. Netflix had recently emerged as a competitor, but Blockbuster executives were unconcerned, thinking it was a passing fad.
MDCE 2017: MRAA Educational Foundation awards scholarships
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas’ Educational Foundation presented four scholarships on Sunday evening during the organization’s Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
MDCE 2017: Kenton Smith receives Darlene Briggs Award
Wanda Kenton Smith, chief marketing officer of Freedom Boat Club and president of Marine Marketers of America, won the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award at the Marine Dealer Conference and Expo.
MDCE 2017: Lodder scholarship winner announced
Krissy Vaughn, bookkeeper of Fay’s Marina Inc. in La Porte, Ind., is the recipient of the 2017 Kevin Lodder Scholarship.
MDCE 2017: Texas dealer receives Spader scholarship
Martin Boyer, president of Austin Boats & Motors in Austin, Texas, was selected as the recipient of the fifth annual Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship.
Three marketing experts tapped to offer seminars at MDCE
Grow Boating Inc. has partnered with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas to offer seminars on enhancing marketing, sales and customer service efforts at the Marine Dealer Conference and Expo, which is set for Dec. 10-13 in Orlando, Fla.
Dealer conference turnout could set record
The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo had its largest turnout ever last year — more than 640 dealers, 30 percent of whom attended for the first time — and registration is tracking even higher for the upcoming MDCE, scheduled Dec. 10-13 in Orlando, Fla.
Grow Boating and MRAA join for educational partnership at MDCE
Grow Boating Inc. and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas are partnering to provide training and education at the 2017 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, which is set for Dec. 10-13 in Orlando, Fla.
MRAA accepting applications for MDCE scholarships
The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo has partnered with Soundings Trade Only to offer scholarships for three dealers to attend the three-day educational event in Orlando, Fla., in December.
Dealer conference names keynote speaker
Self-discipline strategist, author and motivational speaker Rory Vaden was named the closing keynote speaker.