Tag Archives: Matt Gruhn

Discover Boating launches ‘See You Out Here’ campaign

Discover Boating, powered by the NMMA and Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), launched this month its new campaign, ‘See You Out Here’ across the U.S. and Canada. The campaign invites boaters of all backgrounds to explore life in, on, and under the water and in addition to its traditional run throughout spring and summer, will be extended year-round as ...

Read More »

MRAA, VRZ release service department study results

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), in collaboration with VRZ Consulting, released the results of a comprehensive, marine industry service department study. The survey results, which featured insights from more than 260 marine service departments, outlines some of the challenges dealerships face in repairing boats more quickly. The genesis of the study came out of a summer 2021 ...

Read More »

MIBS 2022 kicks off this week

The much anticipated Miami International Boat Show (MIBS) kicks off this week, after a cancellation in 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. This year's show will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 16 and run through Feb. 20. Historically, MIBS, the Miami Yacht Show and SuperYacht Miami have attracted over 100,000 visitors from approximately 35 countries, while generating an estimated $1.3 billion ...

Read More »

MRAA announces several team promotions

MRAA logo

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced that it has promoted five employees in Mike Davin, Allison Gruhn, Katie Eichelberger, Sarah Korbel and Cecelia Pallotto, effective immediately. Mike Davin has been promoted to Vice President of Business Planning. In three years at MRAA Davin has helped to craft and enhance MRAA’s brand messaging, marketing and awareness within the marine ...

Read More »

MRAA donates $100,000 for workforce development

MRAA

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, as part of its ongoing effort to fuel solutions for the marine industry’s top challenge — workforce shortages — donated $100,000 to the MRAA Educational Foundation, a 501-c-3 nonprofit organization with a mission to provide education, scholarships and programs to develop a stronger marine industry workforce. When the association battled through a significant ...

Read More »

MRAA names new director of workforce & foundation development

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has hired Wendy Mackie as its Director of Workforce and Foundation Development, appointing her in the lead role in operating the MRAA Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded to provide financial support for education, training and professional development in the recreational marine industry. Mackie brings to the MRAA a long history of ...

Read More »

Boating industry celebrates passage of bipartisan infrastructure bill

Many in the the recreational boating industry are applauding the passage of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – commonly referred to as the bipartisan infrastructure framework (BIF) – which includes funding for recreation-based ports and waterways, funding for climate resiliency measures, and reauthorizes the $750 million Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. “The passage of this ...

Read More »

Get On Board boating and fishing campaign extended

Get On Board campaign launches

The National Marine Manufacturers Association, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas are continuing their collaboration on the industry-wide Get On Board consumer marketing campaign. The program is aimed at recruiting and retaining new participants during the upcoming fishing and boating season. “Fishing and boating have become important mainstays for consumers to keep up ...

Read More »

MRAA names 2021 Board of Directors

MRAA logo

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced its Board of Directors for 2021, including new chairman, Rob Soucy, President of Port Harbor Marine. Soucy has served on the MRAA Board of Directors since 2006, most recently as the MRAA Vice Chairman. He replaces Joe Hoffmaster, owner of Hoffmaster’s Marina, who served two years as the Chairman and now moves ...

Read More »

MRAA launches Training ‘N’ Tactics educational series

MRAA logo

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced that it will launch a new monthly educational series, Training ‘N’ Tactics (or “TNT” for short), to provide training and foster team development for member dealers. “This new monthly series is designed as a turnkey way for members to introduce a training curriculum in their dealerships,” said Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “Our ...

Read More »