There’s just seven days left to submit a nomination for one of the marine industry’s top honors, the Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year Award, presented annually by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. Also, it’s crunch time to apply for MRAA Educational Foundation scholarships. The deadline for both is next Thursday, Nov. 10.
The award and the scholarships are designed to financially assist the professional development of each recipient working in the marine industry. Moreover, MRAA members and their employees can now complete nominations and applications online.
Women from throughout the industry are eligible for the Darlene Briggs Award. Sponsored by MRAA and Boating Industry magazine, it recognizes long and devoted service and commitment to the advancement of women in the marine business.
Roxanne Rockvam, the general manager of Rockvam Boat Yards in Spring Park, Minn., was the 2021 Darlene Briggs award recipient.
MRAA also presents three educational scholarships annually. “These scholarships from the MRAA Educational Foundation are ever-evolving to promote a stronger workforce for our dealerships to meet the needs for our industry’s future,” says foundation president Jeff Siems. “Scholarships are an important part of the overall effort of the foundation as it supports expanding the marine industry workforce.”
The scholarships offered are:
Kevin Lodder Scholarship It covers tuition and provides a travel stipend for the recipient to attend Spader Business Management’s Total Management 1 Workshop.
Marine Trade Association Scholarship This provides financial support to MRAA members for technical training.
Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship It covers the recipient’s tuition to attend Spader Business Management’s Leadership Development Program.
The awards are scheduled to be presented at MRAA’s Dealer Week Conference & Expo in Austin, Texas, Dec. 5-8.
Dealer Week has already drawn a record number of early registrations, as it will focus on how to succeed in a changing marketplace with the theme “Discipline Amid Disruption.” If ever there were a good a time for dealers to attend this retail-focused event, it’s now.
The MRAA Educational Foundation has conferred more than 85 scholarships and awards collectively worth more than $194,000 during the past 18 years. Independent donations and those from corporate partners make scholarships possible.
Click here for scholarship information and applications.
