Marine Retail University returns to Texas

NORFOLK and MINNEAPOLIS, August 22, 2014 — Dominion Marine Media and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today that the Boating Trades Association of Texas has signed on to host the Norman-Spencer Marine Retail University for the third year in a row.

The event, which will be held Oct. 14 at the Courtyard Marriott Austin Downtown, also known as the Austin Downtown Convention Center, includes a full day of education and networking, as well as the option to register for a networking dinner the night before the conference.

“Each year, the Marine Retail University provides data, ideas and best practices that help Texas dealers explore new opportunities and tackle their biggest challenges,” says Rick Smith, president of BTAT and Marine Outlet. “The event also gives us a chance to connect with and learn from each other in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.”

The Austin Marine Retail University will feature six educational sessions, providing market specific boat sales data, consumer research, dealer best practices, trends in finance and insurance, strategies for selling at higher margins, and a keynote presentation from a foremost expert on succession planning. For more information and to register, visit www.mraa.com/event/BTATmru.

“We are thrilled to work with BTAT to serve the state’s dealer community once again,” says Courtney Chalmers, director of marketing for Dominion Marine Media. “The Texas boat market is a huge contributor to the success of the U.S. boating business, and we’re honored to be invited back to support it with a brand new Marine Retail University educational lineup.”

Designed to take fresh professional development opportunities to marine retailers in regions throughout the country, the MRU series stops in seven or more locations each season, which runs from September through April. Since the launch of this event series in November 2011, it has attracted more than 700 attendees.

“One unique feature of the Marine Retail University series is that the educational content is customized to meet the needs of the local market,” says Liz Walz, director of education for the MRAA. “Our number-one priority is providing the information, tools and resources marine retailers need to improve and grow.”