By David Gee
hat if …. we could offer you the opportunity to hear firsthand from boating industry insiders such as Frank Hugelmeyer , Gus Blakely , Bryan Redmond and two dozen others ? What if you could get the latest economic news straight from Washington ? What if you had the opportunity to share best practices and lessons learned and network not only with others from the boating industry , but also in the outdoor recreation space such as powersports dealers ?
We can offer all that – and more – at the Boating Industry ELEVATE SUMMIT at the Westin Galleria , in Dallas , Texas , from November 5-7 .
We ’ ll get things going on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 – 5:00 pm with the 13th annual Boating Industry Movers & Shakers Award . It recognizes innovative leaders and pioneers in the recreational boating industry who embrace the challenge of change . People who not only make their own companies better but brighten the future of the entire industry . Editor-in-chief Adam Quandt will interview this year ’ s winner in a wide-ranging conversation that is sure to be entertaining , insightful , and informative .
Monday , November 6
First thing Monday morning , we ’ ll caffeinate you , and then combine with the attendees from Powersports Business Accelerate Conference and OPE Business Dealer Forum to hear the opening keynote speaker Curtis Dubay , chief economist in the Economic Policy Division at the U . S . Chamber of Commerce .
His presentation , “ Is the economy revving up , idling , or stalling out ?” will cover inflation , the Fed , and interest rates and what all that means for consumer spending .
He ’ ll also discuss potential policy changes , the impact of the 2024 elections on the economy , and
Opening keynote speaker , Curtis Dubay , Chief Economist at the U . S . Chamber of Commerce , speaking at ELEVATE SUMMIT 2023 . more . Based in Washington , D . C ., Dubay has access to real-time government data , and tracks the condition of the economy , analyzes the impact of public policy on economic growth , and runs the Chamber ’ s Chief Economists Committee .
Following that will be the always popular and much anticipated recurring session “ The state of recreational boating in America ” panel discussion . This year we are thrilled to welcome Frank Hugelmeyer , President / CEO at National Marine Manufacturers Association , Gus Blakely , Executive Vice President , Division Head Marine at Suzuki Marine U . S . A , Bryan Redmond , Co- Founder and CEO of Suntex Marinas , as well as Jeff Husby , president and general manager of Regal & Nautique of Orlando , president and CEO of WaterSports Central , and reigning Boating Industry Top 100 Dealer of the Year .
This is always the most popular session of the conference , and we ’ ll discuss topics such as workforce , inflation , supply chain , inventory issues , consumer demand , and a myriad of other challenges and opportunities facing the recreational boating industry . They ’ ll take your questions as well .
In the past we have been fortunate to have boating industry A-listers such as Bill Yeargin , Aine Denari , and Ben Speciale to name a few . The only unfavorable comment we have received is that people wanted it to last longer , so this year we allotted lots of extra time . You shouldn ’ t miss this !
After lunch we ’ ll hear from NMMA ’ s senior government affairs leader Callie Hoyt as she details the recreational boating industry ' s top legislative priorities . We ’ ll get an update on Capitol Hill , and learn about measures designed to address small businesses , infrastructure , and trade .
Next , we ’ ll have some numbers ! How will 2023 boat sales rank historically ? What are some trends that can be gleaned from the data ? What segments surged this year ? Which ones are lagging ? Industry analysts Ryan Kloppe , Director of Sales at Statistical Surveys , Inc ., Aaron
14 october 2023 www . boatingindustry . com