Top 100 dealers are committed to customers

Over the past week, I was fortunate to visit three of our Top 100 dealers for the first time: Wayzata Marine in Wayzata, Minn., Oak Hill Marina in Arnolds Park, IA, and Parks Marina in Lake Okoboji, IA. You can check out photos from the Boating Industry editorial team’s Oak Hill Marina and Parks Marina visits at our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Seeing these dealers in action was a highlight of my first year with Boating Industry. Each business and its respective locations were unique, from Wayzata’s focus on all-day dock service for its customers, to Oak Hill Marina’s detailed service and delivery processes, to Parks’s marketing strategies and environment of fun surrounding the Barefoot Bar.

But one key consistency shone through at every dealership: They are committed to their customers and bringing them the boating lifestyle with as much ease as possible. Every employee I came across at each location was attentive to anyone who walked into the store or called, even if they were in the middle of a conversation with someone on staff.

That’s what makes our Top 100 dealers so special. No matter what business practices they implement, everything is done in the service of the customer, not themselves. Their dedication is unending and their drive to continually improve is unmatched.

If this description sounds like your dealership or a dealership you know, it should be considered for the 2015 Top 100. The Boating Industry Top 100 recognizes and celebrates the best marine dealers, while sharing best practices and benchmarking data with the entire industry.

Applications are due on June 22 and can be filled online, and the Boating Industry editorial team is on hand with any questions you may have.