The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Dominion Marine Media announced today that the first-ever Norman-Spencer Marine Retail University was a resounding success.

Held in San Antonio on Oct. 21-22, the MRU event attracted 61 total attendees for the two-day event, which featured a networking riverboat cruise and dinner, as well as a full day packed with six educational sessions.

“From start to finish, our first MRU was a huge hit,” says Courtney Chalmers, Marketing Director of Dominion Marine Media, which co-produces the event with the MRAA. “The networking event gave the attendees an excellent opportunity to connect with one another in a relaxed environment before we got down to the business of MRU on Monday.”

The educational line-up was packed full of opportunities for the attendees. It kicked off with GE Capital’s Kevin Runnells providing insight into the trends affecting today’s economy and an outlook for the marine industry’s path over the next 12-24 months. Tom Walworth of Statistical Surveys followed with a detailed analysis of the sales trends in various Texas markets before MRAA President Matt Gruhn wrapped up the morning of market insights with a presentation on some of the leading trends dealers are following as the industry approaches 2013.

“With six strong sessions, the attendees of this event were delivered more than we promised,” Gruhn explains. “We were thrilled with how smoothly this first MRU event progressed, and we are looking forward to working the Boating Trades Association of Texas on the 2013 MRU.”

The next Marine Retail University event will be held Nov. 10-11 in Orlando, the day leading up to the opening of the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo. It will be held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, and more information can be found at www.mraa.com/event/FloridaMRU.