Boating Industry unveils 2026 Elevate Summit agenda highlights
Boating Industry is pleased to share agenda highlights for the 2026 Elevate Summit, taking place January 18-20 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
The industry event will kick off with a welcome networking reception on Sunday, January 18 at 5 p.m. Monday morning, Dr. Elliot Eisenberg will share his economic forecast for 2026. From interest rates and consumer confidence to tariffs, inventory pressures and shifting buyer behavior, he will connect the macro trends to the micro realities facing dealers, manufacturers and the broader marine ecosystem.
Monday will also feature a panel of marine and powersports professionals for a moderated discussion about the latest industry trends. Keith Yunger, 2025 Boating Industry Mover and Shaker of the Year and president of Sea Ray, will represent the marine industry. Yunger will also share his perspectives on career growth, leadership and the emerging challenges and opportunities within the industry later in the day, following a workforce development session led by John Adey, president of ABYC.
OCD Solutions’ Max Materne will walk attendees through a turnaround project he recently led. Six years after selling his dealership, Materne returned to turn it around in 90 days. He will share what worked and what failed while rebuilding the dealership from the inside out.
Monday afternoon, Mark Overbye, founder and CEO of Anthem Marine, will talk about the changing customer. He will discuss consumer behavior and how preferences have changed post-Covid and post-high-interest and floorplan rates. He will cover expectations around digital communication, transparency and pricing, how younger buyers think about ownership versus access, and provide real dealer examples of friction points that quietly kill sales.
Before the Top 100 Awards Gala, which will be held on site, a cocktail reception will provide the time and space for industry colleagues to connect. The Top 100 Awards Gala will start at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.
Attendees will gather on Tuesday morning to learn from Matt Heller, founder of Performance Optimist Consulting. He will discuss business culture, practical ways to engage a team and how to create loyalty beyond the paycheck. Employee retention continues to be a challenge, and this session will help dealers adapt and attract the right people.
Next, women leaders from the boating and powersports industries will gather onstage to share their experiences and expertise. Panelists will include Shannon Aronson, senior director of marketing and communications for ABYC, Kim Sweers, 2025 Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year and managing partner of FB Marine Group, and Courtney Bernhard, Performance Brokerage Services partner.
Finally, former Boating Industry editor-in-chief turned keynote speaker David Gee will deliver a fast-paced and interactive session about winning attention and loyalty. He will explain why speed, stories and connections define success and explore how shifting consumer behaviors, economic uncertainty and digital acceleration are reshaping the way we market, sell and serve.
Register today and stay tuned for more Elevate Summit agenda details.
