Sept 18, 2018
The MRAA Annual Conference & Expo will embark on an transformation in 2019, introducing a new name, relocating to a new location and delivering an all-new immersive event experience, the likes of which the marine industry has never participated in before.
The 2019 MRAA Annual Conference & Expo will relocate to Tampa, Fla., where it will call the Tampa Convention Center its home, December 8-11, 2019. The new location is expected to deliver invigorating energy and offerings to MRAA’s 43rd Annual Conference, and it will also feature an on-water element for MRAA’s exhibitor and sponsor partners to display and demo product.
“We are incredibly excited about moving our annual conference to Tampa, where we expect to attract new dealers and new exhibitors,” says MRAA President Matt Gruhn. “But we are most excited about evolving the event experience into something far more rewarding and impactful for our dealers and the industry at large. Dealers can expect the same high-quality educational programming that MRAA has always delivered, with a focus on stronger tools and resources for successful implementation and results. Our team here at MRAA envisions a brighter future for marine retail, and we expect this reimagined event to engage, energize and empower our dealer community to lead us there.”
“Over the years and through several iterations, the MRAA Annual Conference & Expo has generated success by maintaining its focus on dealers,” Gruhn adds. “As a non-profit trade association, MRAA exists to deliver tools, resources and educational programs to our dealers so they can maximize their success and enable consumers to enjoy a world class boating lifestyle. When we do that in collaboration with industry manufacturers and suppliers, as with this reimagined annual conference, together, we can inspire our dealers to accomplish great things.”
For further information please visit: www.mraa.com
Marine Industry Career Path: Brett Ramsey

Wendy and Brett Ramsey
Boating Industry Canada is kicking off its Marine Industry Career Path series once again. For the first installments this year, we have two subjects to highlight. Introducing Wendy and Brett Ramsey!
The Ramsey’s have been working in the marine industry for many years but have both had unique paths in getting to where they are now. They’ve also been working on an impactful pilot project for a long time, which will now be launching this spring. The focus of this initiative is to bring more young people into the marine industry.
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Building on its award-winning M Series, Bayliner unveiled the all-new M19 at the Miami International Boat Show. The M19 joins the M Series lineup of the M15 and M17 delivering the stability and versatility the series is known for with a focus on expanding boater participation through its intuitive design, ease of maintenance and inclusive price point.
With an overall length of 19 feet and starting at $30,995 USD, the M19 is built on an improved M-hull foundation offering increased stability and automotive style handling for familiarity to appeal to the next generation of boaters. The M19 features an upgraded nine-person capacity and is watersports capable for a full day of adventure on the water.
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Televisions on a boat are increasingly commonplace. With the simple-to-install Glomex Avior VT300 Omnidirectional TV/FM antenna from GA Communications, it's never been easier to bring analog and digital broadcasts onboard—at a price that's hard to ignore.
The most noticeable feature of the Avior VT300 antenna is its compact white, anti-yellowing radome. At only 4" dia. x 8" H and 8.8 oz., it's specifically made for smaller boats that can't accommodate large TV antenna domes and only need short range reception, depending on height and conditions. The amplifier allows the antenna to have an increase in gain with a 24.5 dB average to receive vertical and horizontal polarized TV signals simultaneously from 360°.
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Airmar hires Suzanne Hawley as Brand Manager

The Leader in Ultrasonic Technology and Multi-sensor Solutions Continues to Grow in Talent and Innovation. AIRMAR® Technology Corporation, a world leader in ultrasonic transducers and Chirp technology, has named Suzanne Hawley as the Brand Manager for the company’s wholly owned distributor, Gemeco Marine Electronics Specialists, located in Lake City, SC.
Hawley comes to Airmar with extensive marketing and PR experience in the marine electronics industry including 20 years as the owner of Hawley Communications, a consulting agency focused on creative marketing solutions for businesses in the recreational boating industry.
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