Troy Hazard named 2018 MDCE closing keynote

Troy Hazard, an entrepreneur, consultant, best-selling author, TV host and professional speaker known for his authenticity and focus on providing take-home value, will wrap up the 2018 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo as the closing keynote presenter.

Hazard, a business turn-around specialist who founded and developed a dozen small- and medium-sized companies over two decades, will share his expertise in “Future-Proofing Your Dealership,” set for 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12. Hazard’s 25-plus years of experience in business has served him well in his role as a consultant for a client list that includes Goodyear, Subway and Baskin-Robbins, and as president for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, a global community of successful business owners.

A boater, Hazard grew up with first-hand knowledge about the marine industry from his father’s fishing tackle business. At the MDCE, he’ll apply his diverse background to help marine businesses adapt to the changes taking place in today’s market and those that may be coming soon, whether political, economic, technological or workforce-related.

“We’re bringing Troy to MDCE to help attendees anticipate the challenges ahead and learn how to not just be ready for them, but turn them into competitive advantages,” said Liz Walz, vice president and director of education at the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “At MDCE, our job is to provide attendees with what they need to improve and grow, and we are confident that Troy’s experience and expertise in business and in the marine industry will help us do that.”

Among the takeaways from Hazard’s presentation, attendees will learn how to turn obstacles into opportunities and discover how to drive their businesses into the future, not into the ground.

“We all know how fast the world is changing, and it’s not always easy for businesses to adapt to those changes. Troy will set dealers up to take what they’ve learned at the MDCE and implement it when they return to their dealerships, preparing them for the future,” said Tim Hennagir, editor of Boating Industry, which co-produces the MDCE with the MRAA. 

The MDCE Closing Keynote, sponsored by Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance, will conclude the 2018 MDCE, which will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Dec. 9-12.