MRAA announces MCDE awards celebration plans
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas will host an Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo.
The MRAA Awards Celebration will shine a spotlight on marine industry workforce efforts, showcasing a series of awards and scholarships to be presented by both the MRAA and the MRAA Educational Foundation.
Other recognitions will include Marine Industry Certified Dealerships, as well as an all-new MRAA Lifetime Achievement Award.
The awards celebration will be held Sunday, Dec. 10 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Executive H Ballroom of the Rosen Centre Hotel and will immediately follow the MDCE’s regular opening night poolside reception.
That reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., and the doors to the Awards Celebration will open to all MDCE attendees for entertainment, awards and scholarships presentations.
There is no need to RSVP for the event, but for those people or companies looking to guarantee a great seat are advised to purchase reserved tables.
“In bringing this exciting event to the marine industry, we’re looking to not only kick off our annual conference in style, adding a sense of entertainment and flare to our awards program, but also to recognize the men and women who work tirelessly to make our industry such a great place to work,” said MRAA President Matt Gruhn.
The MRAA Educational Foundation will present several scholarships, totaling more than $30,000, including Technical Scholarships, the Marine Industry College Scholarship, the Kevin Lodder Scholarship, and the Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship.
Additionally, the Foundation will recognize the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year. The MRAA itself will recognize Marine Industry Certified Dealerships, in addition to introducing the inaugural MRAA Lifetime Achievement Award.
All MRAA Members are encouraged to apply for the Lifetime Achievement Award. As part of the build-up to the recognition of these outstanding individuals, the event will feature a professional emcee as well as the “Fork It Over” Marine Industry Talent Show, aimed at benefitting the MRAA Educational Foundation.
“We are looking forward to an incredible evening of fun, excitement and recognition of the passion and hard work that goes into helping our industry prosper,” said Liz Walz, MRAA vice president & director of education and Executive Director of the MRAA Educational Foundation. “We not only want to hold the individuals and organizations to be recognized up as examples to be emulated, but we also are honored to support their efforts to advance their boating business careers.”
The MRAA Opening Night Awards Celebration is sponsored in part by Priority One Financial Services, SeaDek Marine Products, Protective Asset Protection, Barletta Boats, Boating Industry, and Soundings Trade Only.
