First 28 dealerships are certified by GBI program

LAS VEGAS - Twenty-eight boat dealerships were recently certified under the Grow Boating Initiative's Marine Industry Dealership Certification Program, the National Marine Manufacturers Association said in a release last week.

All dealerships earning the “Marine Industry Certified” designation were participants in the project's pilot program and were announced during the Marine Retailers Association of America's Annual Convention, which took place Nov. 8-10 at the Stardust Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The first dealerships certified under the new Marine Industry Dealership Certification Program include:

3A Marine, Hingham, Mass.

B & E Marine, Inc., Michigan City, Ind.

Boatland Inc, Escondido, Calif.

Boatland Inc, San Diego, Calif.

Boats Inc., Niantic, Conn.

Brothers Boats, Sacramento, Calif.

Cannons Marina, Longboat Key, Fla.

Don's Marine Inc., Lodi, Wis.

Drummond Marine Service, Holland, Mich.

Erwin Marine Sales, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Galati Marine, Anna Maria, Fla.

Galati Marine, Tampa, Fla.

Galati Marine, Naples, Fla.

Galati Marine, Destin, Fla.

Hellier Yacht Sales, New London, Conn.

Irwin Marine, Red Bank, N.J.

Lakeside Marine, Lakeside, Ohio

Lakeside Marine, Mt. Clements, Mich.

Lockwood Marine, Atlanta, Ga.

Lynnhaven Marine, Virginia Beach, Va.

Wayzata/Minnetonka Marine, Minnetonka, Minn.

Mount Dora Marine, Mount Dora, Fla.

Reeds Marine, Delavan, Wis.

Russo Marine, Medford, Mass.

Sail & Ski, Austin, Texas

Sail & Ski, San Antonio, Texas

Silver Lake Marine, Silver Springs, N.Y.

Vero Marine Center, Vero Beach, Fla.

“Dealerships earning the 'Marine Industry Certified' distinction were held to very tough standards in order to qualify for this designation, and they should be very proud of this accomplishment,” said Phil Keeter, MRAA president. “Improving the sales and service experience at the dealer is a major element of the Grow Boating Initiative and is integral to the industry's ongoing efforts to increase participation in boating.”

“We thank these dealerships for their leadership in piloting the new Marine Industry Dealership Certification,” said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “Their input and implementation ensures the program only includes elements that add value to the dealer's business. Consumers can feel confident any dealership capable of meeting the standards of dealership certification will deliver a quality customer experience. Interest in this program is running very high among both dealers and boat and engine manufacturers.”

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