NMMA President to Speak at Annual Meeting

I am excited to announce that Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufactures Association has accepted our invitation to speak at our Annual Meeting, Thursday November 9 at the Queen City Yacht Club in Seattle.

I tried to get Thom to speak last year, but he had a conflict. This year it worked with his schedule. As it turns out, I think the timing will work in our favor because Thom will be able to give us the national perspective on the Grow Boating program. A year ago, the Grow Boating program was in the final planning stages, but as we sit here today the program is up and running, so I know we will be able to get a first-hand report on the progress and challenges of the program.

Thom started at the NMMA in 1999, the same year that George Harris, our Boat Show Director and I arrived at the NMTA. We have built up a close working relationship with him and his staff and I am honored that he is taking the time to fly to Seattle from Chicago to be with us.

Since this newsletter goes to our members, I am going to assume that everyone who reads this column earns their living through the boating industry. Therefore, I feel comfortable making this bold statement: Every single one of you should attend the Annual Meeting and bring the key people in your organization!

Why? Because growing boating nationally, regionally and locally will have a direct benefit to your business and because boating has not been growing in this country. Quite the contrary, it has been shrinking (see chart below). The national Grow Boating Initiative, together with our own regional campaign, are long overdue and I believe they will make a difference for you, your business and your family.

At the Annual Meeting, Thom will update everyone on the national Grow Boating program and answer your questions. At this point, many people might think that the Grow Boating program is just a marketing effort. In fact, it is much more than that. It includes certification of all boats to the highest possible standard, Dealer Certification which includes Customer Satisfaction training, including how to improve all areas of dealerships from the sales process through the service and parts department. In the minds of those who have led this effort, growing boating is more than pretty TV spots and some magazine ads. If we are going to turn the tide on boat ownership, it requires a comprehensive game plan – one that will provide the level of service that the public has come to expect from other goods and services in the marketplace.

Also at the meeting, I will update everyone on our own regional Grow Boating program that we have been running for the past three years. I am happy to say that new boat sales in the State of Washington have risen 20 percent over the past three years. No one can say if our own grow boating effort had any impact on the increased sales volume, but just the same, no one can prove it didn’t. Bottom line, sales are up and that is good news for everyone in the boating industry. (Unfortunately, we do not have sales data for Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia).

So, please mark your calendars for Thursday, November 9 starting at 5:00 PM for the 60th Annual Meeting of your regional marine trade association. I look forward to seeing you there and filling the room to the rafters.

With warm regards,

Michael Campbell
President
michael@nmta.net

Source: NMMA