“We’ll never see boating grow if all we do is lose as many boaters as we gain each year.” So says NMMA President Thom Dammrich, and he’s right! Keeping existing customers in the sport should be job #1 at our dealerships. (Read More…)

Can it be that I’m just getting tired of the same old stuff? Or is it that my growing dislike for political campaigns reflects what others are thinking and I just happen to have a blog in which to air it out? (Read More…)

I remember the time when we excitedly headed out for our traditional 2-week summer family vacation? It was an important time of rest and renewal. They were much-anticipated days. How sad that they’re disappearing! (Read More…)

The 2008 round of major fall in-water boat shows gets underway at the Michigan City (IN) In-Water Boat Show this Thursday and winds up in early December at the new St. Petersburg (FL) Boat Show and Strictly Sail. In between, the industry will be watching for any results that indicate our sales decline has bottomed out and increases are finally a real prospect. (Read More…)

Here’s an interesting question: Do state regulatory agencies do a good job of promoting boating? Truth is, I don’t know but I suspect some do and many don’t. One example of a state agency that clearly sees the importance of increasing interest in the sport is in the “Buckeye State.” (Read More…)

It’s often said these days that customer loyalty is long gone amid big box stores, online buying and impersonal sales clerks. But is it? Not necessarily. (Read More…)

“Viral marketing” — sounds like something we should get shots for! After all, who likes a virus of any kind? The answer: Anyone who has successfully used viral marketing to increase their business. (Read More…)

There’s no doubt the rise to political prominence of Barack Obama in this year’s Presidential sweepstakes has brought the subject of racial diversity to the forefront in America. In particular, it recently got me thinking about the subject as it relates to our boating industry. (Read More…)