// INDUSTRY NEWS
seminars , maximum-capacity NMEA certification classes , and an opening reception that offered a preview of the show floor .
Day two began with basketball legend Bill Walton delivering a keynote address , sponsored by Carefree of Colorado . Walton , celebrated for his success on the hardwood with the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics , shared leadership and teamwork lessons extending beyond the basketball court . Following his talk , the Hall of Famer visited with attendees in the Carefree of Colorado booth .
Throughout the day , NTP-STAG and Sea- Wide customers from across North America engaged on the show floor , interacting with exhibits from selected leading industry manufacturers , culminating in a special reception .
“ EXPO presented a platform for attendees to acquire invaluable knowledge and cultivate important industry connections , while fully immersing themselves in an environment tailor-made for success ,” added Rogers .
The event culminated with celebrated American Idol Winner Noah Thompson , sponsored by Dometic . Through his journey of resilience , and musical talent resonating with the core values and spirit of EXPO , Thompson ’ s performance served as a fitting conclusion to an outstanding event shared by both the RV and marine industries .
“ Through the hard work of our events team combined with the efforts and participation of our supplier partners , we were able to produce a memorable event in Kissimmee ,” Rogers concluded . “ We are grateful to all those partners who were a part of the event , along with the professional and committed staff of the Gaylord Palms who worked diligently alongside our events team contributing immensely to the success and smooth execution of the event . Each year we strive to offer EXPO a show experience unlike any other for our customers . We know their time is valuable and are grateful that they traveled from across North America to join us for a fantastic event in Florida .”
MRAA announces 2024 Young Leaders Advisory Council
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced Co-Chair officers and six new members for the Young Leaders Advisory Council ( YLAC ). As young marine professionals working within the recreational boating industry , council members help to further the industry for business stakeholders and consumers . Along with possessing ambitious leadership and industry awareness , YLAC ambassadors influence future programs and shape marine business .
YLAC Chair Susan Duquette , President of Lakeview Marine , Inc ., in Webster , Mass ., maintains her role as Chair , representing the council on the MRAA Board of Directors . Joining YLAC last year , Wendy Ramsey , General Manager at Pirate Cove Marine Inc . / Owner of RBK Distribution Inc ., in Ontario , Kemptville , Canada , returns in 2024 as Co-Chair .
“ We are grateful for the commitment of our council members in donating their time and passion to benefit our industry . I look forward to what we can accomplish in addressing challenges that we all share in our dealerships ,” Duquette said .
New YLAC Members : James Cimino , Owner , Sierra Hills Mobile
Marine , Auburn , Calif . Justin Dysert , Lead Sales Consultant , Taylor ’ s South Shore Marina , Waynesville , Ohio Will Monson , General Sales Manager ,
Moose Landing Marina , Naples , Maine Braden Panasiuk , General Manager , Gibbons Motor Toys , Salmon Arm , B . C ., Canada Briley Phillips , Sales Associate , Phil Dill
Boats , Lewisville , Texas Zack Ryden , Controller , Ryden Marine &
Minocqua Yamaha , Minocqua , Wis . Jon Stovall , General Sales Manager , Ocean
Blue Yacht Sales , Stuart , Fla . Returning YLAC Members :
Christian Hansen , General Manager , Idaho Water Sports , Idaho Falls , Idaho
J Hurless , Owner , Reeder-Trausch Marine , Rockville , Ind .
Kenda Kennard , Business Development Representative , Huntington Distribution Finance ( Industry Representative ), Schaumburg , Ill .
Ashlynn LaLonde Olson , Vice President , Hutchinson ’ s Boat Works , Inc ., Alexandria Bay , N . Y .
Heather Mess , National Marina Manager , MarineMax , Inc ., Clearwater , Fla .
Krista Sparkes , Regional Director , Smoker Craft , Inc . ( Industry Representative ), New Paris , Ind .
Sarah Korbel , Events and Operations Manager , MRAA , Minneapolis , Minn .
MMTA hosts 18th Business of Boating Conference
On Thursday , January 25 the MMTA hosted their 18th annual Business of Boating ( BOB ) Conference at the Lakeview Pavilion in Foxboro , Mass . The conference brought together approximately 175 attendees , which was up over 10 % from last year . The professional development conference provided attendees with sessions that included workforce development , boat sales and inventory , employment law , electrical code and compliance , employee retention , government relations and legislative issues , and more . The conference included two lunchtime presentations , one awarding Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll as the 2023 MMTA Elected Official of the Year . The second was the distinguished MMTA Frank Farrell Award which was presented to Warren Kelly , one of the former owners of Baert Marine .
Hosted by the MMTA , the BOB conference is planned and organized by a volunteer Conference Committee and the MMTA Executive Director Randall Lyons . The BOB Conference was made possible through the generosity of its sponsors including 15 table sponsors and 61 annual sponsors of the MMTA .
“ The BOB conference provides an opportunity for our members to come together to
8 february 2024 www . boatingindustry . com