Freedom Boat Club announces national franchise winners

Freedom Boat Club recently presented top achievement awards to franchises throughout North America during its 2017 Freedom Boat Club National Franchise Conference held in Fort Myers, Fla.

The Franchise of the Year award was presented to Freedom Boat Club of Jacksonville and St. Augustine, owned by Kevin Seelig and Lisa Almeida.

The newly launched Membership Executive of the Year for top sales was also won by the franchise’s George Biastre.

The 2017 Pacesetter’s Club recognizes the Top Ten Freedom Boat Club franchise organizations throughout North America.

This year’s induction included Freedom Boat Club franchise owners from Vancouver, British Columbia, Maryland/Washington D.C., Tampa Bay, Fla., Lake Lanier, Ga; Eastern N.Y., San Diego, Calif., Lake Norman, N.C., Sebastian Inlet, Fla., Chicago, Ill., and Hilton Head, S.C.

The Marketer of the Year and the Territory Expansion awards were both won by Freedom Boat Club of Tampa Bay, owned by Glenn Bergoffen. The Marketing Brand Champion award given to the nation’s strongest individual promoter was given to Matt O’Hara of Freedom Boat Club of Lake George, N.Y..

The Guardian of Reciprocity award given to the franchise successfully hosting reciprocal members from throughout North America was won by Freedom Boat Club of Greater Boston and Cape Cod, owned by Matthew Carrick and Capt. Matt O’Connor.

Rookie of the Year is awarded to the most successful new franchise operator over the past year and was presented to Nick Hooge of the Seattle, Wash. Freedom Boat Club.

Winning the Highest Percentage of Revenue Increase for the year was Don and Ann Spaeth of Freedom Boat Club of Fort Pierce, Fla.

Members of the Freedom Boat Club National Marketing Advisory Council were also recognized for their outstanding service and contributions in 2017.

Awards were presented to Dan Hasbrouck of San Diego, Calif., Bill Marquardt of Texas, Matt Carrick of Boston, Mass., Lisa Almeida of Jacksonville, Fla., JoAnna Goldberg of Maryland and D.C., Karen Berry of the Grand Strand, Matt O’Hara of Lake George, N.Y., and Tom Armon of St. Joseph, Mich.

Another new franchise award was launched at this year’s conference for the 2017 National Charity Marketing Partners, recognizing 14 franchises who were actively engaged in the national Big Brothers Big Sisters of America marketing campaign.

Awards were presented to clubs in Buffalo, N.Y., the Palm Beaches, Fla., Lake George, N.Y., St. Joseph, Mich., Jacksonville/St. Augustine, Fla., Hilton Head, S.C., Annapolis, Md., Lake Erie, Ohio, Boston, Mass., Fort Pierce, Fla., Lake Norman, N.C., and Charleston, S.C.

In addition, Freedom Boat Club of Texas owned by Bill Marquardt and Scott Isaacks, received the National Charity Marketing Superstar award for raising more than $7,000 for the BBBS organization in their local market.

“It’s always a wonderful experience to recognize our top performers and to thank them for their hard work and contributions,” said Freedom Boat Club President and CEO John Giglio. “It was a truly phenomenal year for Freedom Boat Club and our entire franchise operation. We are very proud of the growth and success of our clubs and the great job they are doing collectively in their respective markets.”