MDCE retail registrations break previous record

Organizers of the premier educational conference designed exclusively for marine retailers are reporting that the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo saw the most August retail registrations in the event’s history last month.

August registrations are up nearly 5 percent year-over-year, according to organizers. In addition, year-to-date, retail registrations were up 13 percent as of the end of August, compared to the same time in 2015 — putting the 2016 MDCE on track to be one of the largest to date.  In 2015, a total of 1,147 marine industry professionals from throughout North America and as far away as Australia traveled to Orlando for MDCE, which featured a sold-out expo hall filled with more than 100 exhibitors.

Hosted jointly by Boating Industry magazine and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, sponsorships and exhibit space for MDCE 2016 are likewise off to a fast start, with the conference’s top “Powered By” tier nearly sold out. The 2016 MDCE takes place in Orlando, Dec. 5-8, a full two weeks later in the calendar than traditionally scheduled.

“It’s exciting to see the industry respond to the new events and features we’ve added to MDCE,” MRAA Vice President Liz Walz said. “One of our top priorities in building the show each year is offering fresh takeaways to move the needle for participants, and we think dealers and exhibitors alike will find this year’s MDCE to be the most impactful to date.”

This year’s conference includes several new offerings, including Dealer-to-Dealer Roundtable Discussions, Dealer Case Studies and three Keynote Presentations.

“The strong registration numbers we’ve seen throughout the spring and summer serve as clear evidence that boat dealers find value, opportunity and knowledge at MDCE,” Jonathan Sweet, editor-in-chief of Boating Industry, said. “We think the conference’s later dates have also helped, as they avoid conflicts with hunting season, winterization chores and other shows.”

Marine retailers who register for MDCE 2016 before the Sept. 23 Early Bird Deadline save $25 off standard rates; MRAA members save an additional $75 for a total of $100 in savings. Learn more and register at MarineDealerConference.com.

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