Organizers launch MDCE 2015 Survey

MINNEAPOLIS — Organizers of the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo have begun planning for the 2015 educational agenda, including some new features that will allow attendees to further customize the event to meet their unique interests and needs.

Each year, the process of building the MDCE educational lineup begins with a thorough review of the session evaluations from the prior year, as well as post-event CSI surveys and feedback from attendees and the dealer-led MRAA Education Committee.

Then, organizers create an event survey designed to identify the topics most relevant to and desired by the dealer community. Those results are paired with speaker research and input from MDCE’s annual Call for Presentations to develop a fresh and impactful educational lineup.

“Each and every educational session and experience at MDCE is crafted to deliver real results for our attendees,” says Liz Walz, vice president of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, which produces the annual event in partnership with Boating Industry. “The survey ensures that MDCE evolves alongside our attendees, addressing their changing needs.”

With educational tracks devoted to sales, marketing, leadership and service, MDCE serves the entire marine retail community, from dealerships and ship’s stores to boatyards and marinas. All are encouraged to take just three minutes to complete the Pre-MDCE 2015 Attendee Survey this week.

“No two marine retailers are alike,” says Boating Industry editor-in-chief Jonathan Sweet. “That’s why participation in the survey is so important to us. Our goal is to move the needle in a meaningful way for every single MDCE attendee.”

Here is a link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FL52ZPQ.

The 2015 MDCE will offer two full days of Educational Tracks, in addition to a half-day of Pre-Conference Workshops and two keynotes. The conference has traditionally included three Educational Tracks, but last year it expanded to four. A Closing Keynote address also was added in 2014 and will likewise conclude the 2015 event.

The 2015 MDCE is scheduled for Nov. 15-18 at the Orange County Convention Center and Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla. In 2014, MDCE attracted more than 580 dealers, 40 percent of which attended for the first time. MRAA’s goal is to grow the event to more than 1,000 dealer attendees. To learn more, visit MRAA.com/MDCE.