Dealership Certification Program to Host Series of Regional Launch Workshops...New workshops begin in March and run through the end of April 2008

CHICAGO , December 13, 2007 - - The Marine Industry Dealership Certification program will begin hosting its spring series of regional Certification Launch Workshops in March 2008. Attendance at a one-day Launch Workshop is the first step for all dealerships that wish to get started on the Certification process. During the Workshop, program requirements are explained in detail and dealerships are provided with tools necessary to complete the Dealership Certification program.

Upcoming Launch Workshops dates, posted on DealerCertification.org, include:

·        Southeast Regional Workshop: Tuesday, March 4, Raleigh , N.C.

·        Midwest Regional Workshop: Tuesday, March 25, St. Louis

·        Northeast Regional Workshop: Wednesday, April 2, Providence/Warwick, R.I.

·        Western Regional Workshop: Wednesday, April 30, Phoenix

 “The regional format for workshops has been very well received,”  says Phil Keeter, vice president of Marine Certification Inc. and president of the Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA). “Dealers continue to indicate they attended workshops based more on schedule than location; therefore, cities selected to host the spring 2008 Workshops were chosen based on easy accessibility for the largest number of dealers.”

“Becoming Marine Industry Certified is the ideal way to help set your business apart from your competition and demonstrate a real commitment to quality customer service in the eyes of consumers,” explains Thom Dammrich, president of Grow Boating Inc. and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). “In the challenging economic market we currently face, Dealership Certification is a means to help you improve your sales, profits and customer retention—not to mention simultaneously improving employee satisfaction and retention. There’s really no good reason a dealership should want to pass on the opportunity to become Marine Industry Certified.”

Additionally, Certified Dealerships receive free listings on DiscoverBoating.com, the number-one consumer resource for unbiased advice related to all-things boating. Consumers can visit the website and search for Certified Dealerships in their area. Marine Industry Certified Dealerships likewise receive special signage at NMMA owned and produced boat shows and listings in each respective boat show directory.

To date, a total of 598 dealerships have enrolled in the Marine Industry Dealership Certification program. There are 338 that have completed the process and earned the official “Marine Industry Certified” designation.

Dealers interested in attending a regional Launch Workshop should contact Dealership Certification program manager Elizabeth McAllister at (312) 946-6500; emcallister@DealerCertification.org.  Dealers may also download Launch Workshop registration forms at DealerCertification.org. Dealerships should bring a minimum of two employees to the Workshop, which involves interactive processes and discussions.

For more information about the Marine Industry Dealership Certification program, contact McAllister or visit DealerCertification.org.

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 GrowBoating.org.