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Four Dealerships Earn Marine Industry Dealership Certification Distinction

Dealerships certified under Marine Industry Dealership Certification Program

CHICAGO, April 28, 2006 - - Four boat dealerships recently became certified under the Grow Boating Initiative’s Marine Industry Dealership Certification Program. All newly-certified dealerships participated in Marine Industry Dealership Certification Launch Workshops across the country prior to earning their “certified” status and include the following: Legendary Marine of Destin, Florida; Spicer’s Boat City of Houghton Lake, Michigan; Longshore Boats of Charleston, South Carolina; and McMachen Marine Inc. of Harrison Township, Michigan.“These dealerships are leading the way by demonstrating their commitment to quality service and growing the entire marine industry,” says Phil Keeter, president of the Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA).

Dealer Certification actively addresses one of the main issues limiting growth in the marine industry: customer service. An effective dealership certification program that provides both consumer and dealer benefits is fundamental to the industry’s Grow Boating Initiative. The new Marine Industry Dealership Certification program was developed by dealers, for dealers and focuses on the areas that affect dealership quality—operations, facilities, professional sales/service processes, customer satisfaction and employee training/satisfaction.

A total of 263 dealerships have enrolled in the Marine Industry Dealership Certification Program to date. There are 34 that have completed the certification process and earned the “Marine Industry Certified” designation. A complete list of “Marine Industry Certified” dealerships is available on www.DiscoverBoating.com .

Marine Industry Dealership Certification is part of the industry’s Grow Boating Initiative, an integrated effort among organizations with an interest in the recreational marine industry to promote the boating lifestyle and improve the boating experience. A strategic set of programs focusing on all areas of boating including water access, dealer and product certification, marketing, and research is designed to increase participation in boating and improve sales of marine products and services. For more information, visit www.GrowBoating.org .

Additional launch workshops are being planned for the fall, and details including dates and locations will be announced shortly.

For more information about the Marine Industry Dealership Certification Program, contact McAllister or visit www.GrowBoating.org/service .
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Source: National Marine Manufacturers Association