The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced that retailer attendance at the recent Dealer Week conference in Tampa, Fla., set a record at 721, and total attendance exceeded 1,500 for the first time. The 150 expo hall booths and 18 slips at the Tampa Convention Center were sold out, with more than 40 first-time exhibitors.
MRAA president Matt Gruhn said in a statement that this year’s conference was the “most engaging, most powerful educational conference we have ever produced.”
Gruhn added that “while the numbers suggest our reach continues to expand, it’s the connections, the business opportunities and the take-home value of the educational programming that matters most to us and to our attendees.”
For the first time, two manufacturers — Centurion and Ski Supreme — held dealer meetings in conjunction with Dealer Week. Additionally, a preshow service management workshop sold out.
“Dealer Week continues to impress with its reach, scope and incredible content,” said Jeff Strong, MRAA board chair and owner of Strong’s Marine. “It has become the preeminent and trusted marine industry event for dealership growth and refinement.”
Dealer Week 2024 is scheduled for Dec. 8-11 in Orlando, Fla.
