Dominion Marine Media and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas are partnering for a third consecutive year to bring their Marine Retail University to Brockton, Mass., on Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For the last two years, the event has been hosted by the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association and it has been one of the largest and best-attended MRUs in the series’ three-year history.
This year, the event is expanding to include Rhode Island and will be co-hosted by the Massachusetts trade group and the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association.
It’s expected to be the largest MRU of the 2014-15 season and perhaps the largest MRU to date, drawing more than 100 marine businesses from across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
“The Marine Retail University provides a unique opportunity for marine businesses to not only dig into the hot-button topics of the day and find solutions and best practices for their organization, but also to network with their peers and colleagues,” MRAA vice president Liz Walz said in a statement. “Historically, the turnout at this particular MRU has been high, and we’re thrilled at the prospect of expanding it further.”
MRUs are structured as one-day educational events for those interested in drilling down deeper into issues affecting their marine businesses.
“We’re so excited to partner with MRAA and Dominion and their Marine Retail University,” RIMTA CEO Wendy Mackie said. “The timing is perfect, with the Providence Boat Show taking place January 23-25. Dealers and other exhibitors are able to fine-tune their displays and messaging, using MRAA and Dominion best practices, then put what they learned at the MRU right to work at the show.”
The Northeast MRU will incorporate seven sessions. Topics to be covered include a state-of-the-industry update; converting data to dollars; 29 tips to improve the service department; online reputation management; regulatory wrangling; maximizing boat show ROI; and marine business best practices.
