MDCE “Powered By” sponsorships sell out
MINNEAPOLIS — The 2010 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo has sold out of its “Powered By” sponsorship opportunities — the highest level of sponsorship at the MDCE — months ahead of the November event.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with these outstanding companies to deliver dealers a high-quality educational opportunity again this year,” says Matt Gruhn, group publisher and editorial director for Boating Industry magazine, which co-produces the MDCE along with the Marine Retailers Association of America. “We’re humbled by the fact that we have six repeat title sponsors and four new companies looking to support the dealers at this event.”
The 10 total sponsors is up from seven total in 2009, as the event has offered many more sponsor and exhibitor opportunities. Similarly, exhibit and sponsor sales have already exceeded what the event totaled last year, with many more sponsorship and exhibit opportunities remaining.
Other Recent News |
ADP Lightspeed
ADP Lightspeed, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a part of ADP Dealer Services, which provides integrated computing solutions to over 25,000 auto, truck, motorcycle, powersports, and recreational vehicle dealers throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. ADP, with approximately $8 billion in revenues and 550,000 clients, is one of the largest providers of a broad range of premier mission–critical, cost effective transaction processing and information-based business solutions in selected markets on a global basis. For more information www.adplightspeed.com.
ARI/Channel Blade
ARI Network Services provides electronic parts catalogs and marketing services to dealers, distributors and manufacturers in the manufactured equipment markets. Channel Blade Technologies, an ARI company, provides online lead generation, lead management and sales education solutions.
Brunswick Corporation
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation is home to numerous leading marine brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, Diversified Marine and Benrock parts and accessories distributors; Arvor, Bayliner, Bermuda, Boston Whaler, Cabo Yachts, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris FloteBote, Hatteras, Lowe, Lund, Meridian, Ornvik, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Sealine, Triton, Trophy, Uttern and Valiant boats.
Manheim Specialty Auctions
Manheim features 17 branded Manheim Specialty dealer auction dedicated to selling boats, RVs, motorcycles and powersports units. Manheim provides a large collection of high-quality units with the services and national coverage to turn trades into cash or to supplement pre-owned inventory.
Nautic Global Group
With products including Rinker Express Cruisers and Sportboats, Hurricane Deckboats, Godfrey Pontoon Boats and Polar Kraft Aluminum Fishing Boats, Nautic Global Group is one of the largest boat manufacturers in the United States.
Regal Boats
Regal Marine Industries designs and manufactures luxury performance boats from 19 feet to 53 feet. It became the first boat manufacturer to receive industry customer satisfaction awards in two segments and received the J.D. Power award Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Express Cruisers (24 to 33 feet) three years in a row, tied in 2009.
Starcraft Marine & The Smoker Craft Family of Products
The roots of Smoker Craft Inc. go back to 1903, when Starcraft Marine was founded as Star Tank Company by Arthur Schrock. In the 1930s, Smoker Craft, another family-owned company, began its own legacy of building quality boats. Eventually the two brands merged, and four generations and more than 100 years later, Starcraft Marine & The Smoker Craft Family of Products continue to produce solidly built, top quality boats for the entire family.
Tigé Boats, Inc.
Tigé manufactures eight multi-sport inboard models ranging from 20 to 24 feet in length. Its boats are known for their performance, style and versatility. They feature an adjustable system that results in a hull capable of wakeboarding, wakesurfing and waterskiing at the touch of a screen.
Volvo Penta
Volvo Penta is a global manufacturer of engines and complete power systems for both marine and industrial applications. The engine program comprises diesel and gasoline engines with power outputs of between 10 and 2,000 hp. Volvo Penta is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications and aerospace components and services.
Last year’s MDCE, which took place at Disney’s Coronado Spring Resort in Orlando, attracted 743 total attendees, an increase of 199 percent over 2008. Of those who attended, 439 were dealership personnel, an increase of 122 percent over 2008, and 228 individual dealerships were represented. In addition, 75 companies exhibited during the show, filling 58,000 square feet of exhibit space, which also represented a substantial increase over 2008.
This year’s event, MDCE 3.0: New Decade, New Market, New Strategies, will once again feature a first-class educational lineup designed based on feedback generated through a survey of marine dealers. The exhibit hall at the Orange County Convention Center, a five-minute walk from the host hotel, offers 106,272 square feet of space.
The 2009 MDCE represented the first in a five-year licensing contract through which Boating Industry magazine took over responsibility for the creation and development of the MRAA annual dealer convention, working closely with the MRAA convention committee to deliver educational content, while also assuming sponsorship sales and marketing efforts.
About the MRAA: The Marine Retailers Association of America is the only national association serving the interests of the boat and engine dealer. The association exists to assist in raising the standards of marine retailing, to provide its members with a common source of information, to stimulate an ongoing exchange of ideas among its members and to promote sound growth of the retail marketing of boats, motors, and marine accessories. The association hosts an annual educational convention (the MDCE), presents a series of awards such as the Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year award, and operates an educational foundation that awards scholarships for education, training and professional development within the marine trade. The MRAA also represents the interests and concerns of marine retailers to other trade associations and boater member organizations on a national, state and local level through its legislative work. Find out more at www.mraa.com.
About Boating Industry magazine: Boating Industry serves the marine industry through its mission to be a trusted source for proven solutions, delivering its audience real results. That audience has transformed over the last decade, as Boating Industry evolved from a print magazine to a multi-channel media outlet providing content through print, online and in-person mediums. Its magazine is delivered 11 times annually; its Top 100 Dealers Program has risen to become the most-coveted awards program in the industry; it produces several e-newsletters each week; it has created a series of e-white papers; and most recently, it took over responsibility for the production and overall direction of the MDCE in a licensing agreement with the MRAA. See more at www.boating-industry.com.