Early Bird Discount for 2015 MDCE expires September 18

The deadline to register for MDCE and receive the Early Bird Discount is on September 18.

Early registrants receive a discount of $25 off their MDCE registration. For MRAA members, this discount is received on top of their $75 membership discount.

This year’s event, which is scheduled to take place Nov. 15-18 at the Orange County Convention Center, Rosen Plaza Hotel and Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla., features 12 Pre-Conference Workshops and four concurrent Educational Tracks focused on Leadership, Sales, Marketing and Service Plus, all of which feature recommendations for skills and experience: Fundamental; Intermediate; Advanced; and All Skill Levels.

In additional to the numerous educational sessions, the event will feature an MRAA Special Session and an Opening and Closing keynote. Steve McClatchy, author of the New York Times best-selling book, “Decide: Work Smarter, Reduce Your Stress & Lead by Example,” will deliver the opening keynote. Mike Abrashoff, former Commander of the USS Benfold and author of “It’s Your Ship,” will deliver the closing keynote.

Marine service expert Valerie Ziebron will also lead a panel discussion on solutions to the current shortage of marine technicians. New for 2015, MDCE also will include a learning lab, where attendees can consult one-on-one with leading experts.

“There’s no other event that gives marine retailers so many chances to grow and improve under one roof,” says Boating Industry editor-in-chief Jonathan Sweet. “The record-breaking registration numbers suggest the industry is ready to exploit that to the fullest.”

The MDCE Awards Breakfast on November 18 will see the MRAA Educational Foundation give away a number of awards, including the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award, for which nominations and applications are currently being sought. The deadline to apply is September 30.

The 2015 MDCE has generated record dealer registrations so far this year, compared to the same period of time in previous years. Inspired by marine retailers’ own recommendations for the ideal event, this year’s MDCE campaign theme — “Made New. By You.” — may become the rallying cry for a resurging industry.

“This year’s show takes everything dealers love about the MDCE and expands on it,” explains Liz Walz, vice president of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, which produces the annual event in partnership with Boating Industry. “In 2015, we’re offering the widest selection of educational workshops and sessions in our history, plus brand new ways to learn through features such as our Learning Labs and Dealer-to-Dealer sessions.”

In 2014, MDCE attracted more than 580 dealers, 40 percent of which attended for the very first time. MRAA’s goal is to grow the event to more than 1,000 dealer attendees. To learn more, visit marinedealerconference.com.