Yacht Brokerage University 2012 adds discussion, how-to sessions
July 27, 2012
Filed under Features, Top Stories
Yachtworld.com began its 2012 version of Yacht Brokerage University (YBU) Tuesday with the addition of small-group discussions and how-to sessions on marketing online, according to Tim Claxton, brand manager of YachtWorld.com.
Claxton said YBU’s State of the Industry address highlights the improving yacht brokerage market, with a 40-percent increase in YachtWorld.com visitors and increasing sales on SoldBoats.com as evidence.
With more prospects online, Claxton said YBU stresses the importance of being visible to prospects who mainly research using the Web. Such Internet marketing techniques are featured in presentations that take a more “how-to” approach than seen in past years, according to Claxton.
“We are trying to make it very much a how-to type session structure, some theory but then how you provide that as a broker to your business,” he said. “It is new, and we are there to try and help.”
Yacht Brokerage University 2012 will feature speaker sessions in the morning. In the afternoon, Claxton said attendees break into smaller groups to better facilitate discussion on numerous topics.
“Brokers are able to choose the topic they want, go out into smaller groups and engage in a two-way dialogue with a combination of different brokers,” Claxton said.
YBU’s annual BoatWizard update will demo the new capabilities of the mobile service, which was first launched in early 2012, Claxton said.
Opening in Annapolis Tuesday, YBU will be in Providence on July 26, followed by Seabrook, Texas on Aug. 9 and finish up in Port Credit, Ontario, on Aug. 16.
