Sail America Virtual Event Will Focus on Boat Show Season in the Age of Covid

The marine industry is watching as show after show gets canceled or goes virtual, and while some were technologically positioned and savvy enough to respond quickly to a pandemic, many were not equipped.

Sail America is hosting a virtual workshop with sales and marketing guru Marcus Sheridan, who will deliver, Going Virtual: How to Evolve Your Digital Sales and Marketing to Meet the Demands of Today’s Buyer, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The goal is to give insight for those who have been struggling to reach buyers during an age of social distancing.

Many sales and marketing teams were struggling with technology and digital outreach before the pandemic — Sheridan was already giving marine companies insight and counseling on how critical this component was in today’s world, and that was before a pandemic hit and forced closures and distancing.

Many continue to struggle with technology, video, getting noticed, and especially, said Sail America in a statement: “they’re struggling to make the buying process still feel human, personalized, and based on trust.”

Marketing departments have also been slow to adjust to today’s customers and how to give them what they want on the front end of the buying experience — leading to frustration and lost sales.

The agenda also includes updates and status reports from National Marine Manufacturers Association senior vice president of boat and sport shows, Jennifer Thompson, and Peter Trogdon of the Annapolis Boat Shows.

Sheridan was named by Forbes as 1 of 20 "Speakers You Don't Want to Miss” in 2017 and was dubbed a "web marketing guru" by The New York Times.

Register for the event here. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.