Highfield USA wrapped up several days of meetings and events focused on its U.S. dealer network with a dinner and awards ceremony the evening of Sept. 12 at the Evergreen Resort in Cadillac, Mich. Awards were presented in six categories recognizing sales, marketing, and customer service and commitment.
The dealer meeting was the RIB builder’s first since 2019.
Attendees were able to tour the company’s new rigging and warehouse facility, and sea-trial new and updated models of the company’s extensive lineup of RIBs, including new electric models. Highfield Boats, based in China, builds six lines of inflatables from 6 to 29 feet.
Representatives from some 35 U.S. dealerships attended the Sept. 11-12 meeting in Cadillac. Some, who were committed to fall boat shows, arrived and departed earlier. On hand for the awards dinner were Julien Carussi, CEO of Highfield Boats; Christophe Lavigne, president of Highfield USA; and other members of the Highfield USA team.
“So much has changed since our last dealer meeting in 2019,” said Michael Carroll, who handles Highfield USA’s marketing and business development. “We have grown our network. We have new dealer partners and have new boat models for 2024 to try and review. Together, over the last three years, we have gotten through the challenges of Covid and experienced incredible growth through our mutual efforts, so it’s really also about a getting together of good friends to celebrate everything we have accomplished together.”
The dealer awards covered 2020-2022. The honorees were:
Rookie of the Year Award
2020: Bourbon City Yacht Tenders
2021: Erie Marine
2022: Small Boat Exchange
Marketing Champion Award
2020: Offshore Marine
2021: Bourbon City Yacht Tenders
2022: Nautical Ventures
We Care Completely Award
2020: McCotter’s Marina & Boatyard
2021: Coral Gables Yachts
2022: Lifeline Marine Safety Services
Admiral Award — Sales Achievement
2020 (sales over $300,000)
Coral Gables Yachts
Maritime Solutions
Monahan’s Marine
2021 (sales over $600,000)
Annapolis Inflatables/Fawcett Marine
Trade Wind Inflatables
Suncoast Inflatables
Nautical Ventures
2022 (sales over $800,000)
A&S Boats
Port Inflatables
Shelter Island Inflatables
Suncoast Inflatables
Maritime Solutions
Marine Warehouse
Coral Gables Yachts
Trade Wind Inflatables
Monahan’s Marine
Million Dollar Club — 2022 (first year dealers surpassed $1 million in sales)
Annapolis Inflatables/Fawcett Marine
Datrex
Top Dealer Award — Highest Sales
2020: Nautical Ventures
2021: Datrex
2022: Nautical Ventures
