Mar 31, 2020

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas expanded its Ask the Expert series of live webinars for boat dealers to help them navigate decision-making in the coming weeks and months.

“Today’s business environment leaves dealers with numerous critical questions  — questions about caring for their employees and customers, managing their costs, generating revenue, and just generally about how they can ensure the continued success of their business,” explains MRAA Vice President Liz Walz. “Our goal with these webinars is to ask those questions of industry experts who can provide sound insights and help our dealers make informed decisions.”

Going to all dealers in MRAA’s Resource Center at MRAA.com/Resources. 

The first webinar, launched yesterday and now available on MRAA.com, featured Walz and MRAA President Matt Gruhn discussing ways in which dealers can tap into the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas for support. In the webinar, Gruhn reminded the audience that MRAA exists for one purpose — to fuel the success of boat dealers — and during what is perhaps their greatest time of need, the MRAA has refocused its entire team and all of its priorities around supporting the marine dealer body.

During the webinar, Walz and Gruhn outlined the five steps MRAA is taking support dealers across the industry: 1. Resources found at www.MRAA.com/COVID-19; 2. Regular “Ask The Expert” Webinars specific to the concerns of today; 3. The launch of a dealer forum for Dealer to Dealer interaction; 4. Free access to all standard MRAATraining.com courses for dealers; 5. Hand-in-hand collaboration with our industry partners to work with government to secure support and relief for our small businesses.

“For some dealers, it’s business as usual out there and for others there’s serious concern about the economy, but for all of us there’s a great deal of uncertainty on how the selling season and the remainder of 2020 will unfold,” explains Gruhn. “No matter how things transpire, I am making it clear that supporting our dealers is MRAA’s No. 1 priority. We have redirected the focus and efforts of every one of our team members to contribute to this mission. I urge anyone to reach out to MRAA for any need they may have, and we will respond with an answer or with someone who can provide the answer.”