The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas will host the second annual Opening Night Awards Celebration at the upcoming Marine Dealer Conference & Expo.
The event will spotlight marine-industry workforce efforts with a series of awards and scholarships to be presented by the MRAA and its educational foundation. Other recognitions will include marine industry certified dealerships and the second annual MRAA Lifetime Achievement Award.
“In bringing this exciting event back to the marine industry for a second year, we’re looking to not only top the energy, laughs and celebratory vibe of last year’s event, which kicked off our annual conference in style,” said Matt Gruhn, president of MRAA, in a statement. “But also to recognize the men and women who work tirelessly to make our industry such a great place to work.”
The MRAA Educational Foundation will present scholarships worth a total of more than $30,000 and will recognize the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year. For fun, the event will also feature a Marine Industry Talent Show. Attendees can vote for their favorite acts through donations that will benefit the MRAA Educational Foundation.
“Last year’s event not only celebrated the incredible passion and hard work that fuels our industry,” said Liz Walz, vice president and director of education at the MRAA and executive director of the MRAA Educational Foundation. “But it was also a lot of fun. We can’t wait to learn more about the hidden talents within the marine industry community as part of this year’s event.”
The opening night celebration is sponsored by Barletta Boats, Correct Craft, Priority One Financial Services, Protective Asset Protection, Boating Industry and Soundings Trade Only.
