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The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) recently announced more than 1,040 dealership personnel participated in Dealer Week 2020, setting an all-time record for dealer attendance and surpassing the total attendance at the inaugural in-person Dealer Week in 2019 by 77 percent.

“We set an ambitious three-year goal of attracting 1,000 dealership personnel to Dealer Week by 2022, and are thrilled that we actually hit that goal in the very first year,” explained Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “While many organizations described their business moves in 2020 as a ‘pivot,’ our team here at the MRAA didn’t pivot, but rather doubled-down on our mission of delivering dealers the tools, resources and educational programming they need to find success. We said all along that the move to virtual would accelerate our ability to reach more dealers, and it’s so rewarding to have made that a reality.”

Dealer Week 2020 saw a record 578 first-time participants, representing 55 percent of all dealer attendees. Nearly 350 dealership entities, representing 860 individual dealership locations, joined in the educational event. And 128, or 37 percent of those businesses, participated in the MRAA Annual Conference for the very first time. The virtual platform also expanded MRAA’s reach globally, as Dealer Week attracted dealership personnel from 9 different countries, including Australia, Japan, Russia, Poland and Kuwait.

“We delivered on our promise to provide Dealer Week attendees a powerful collection of educational courses that are timely and relevant to today’s market,” explained MRAA Brand Manager Mike Davin. “Our purpose is always to supply ideas, insights and inspiration to Dealer Week attendees and to aid them in their success. With the uncertainty we know will impact the 2021 market place, this content is more important to dealers than ever before, and the need for it has become clear in the number of dealers who decided to participate in this event.”

Dealer Week 2020 was held Dec. 8-11. The annual conference offers more than 30 educational opportunities to prepare marine businesses for the new year and beyond. The event, available to attendees and new registrants through March 31, 2021, offers 18 education sessions (including three dealer case studies) spread over three pathways, several thought leader presentations, pre- and post-event webinars for viewing, networking and much more. It includes more than 80 individual exhibit spaces featuring dealer-focused products presented by industry partners.

Learn more at www.DealerWeek.com.