The Top 100 Dealers, a ranking of those marine dealers that are unsurpassed in overall business operations, customer service, marketing and professionalism, has developed a growing reputation not only for celebrating dealer successes, but for aiding the marine dealer community in its efforts to improve. And to help bring the Boating Industry Top 100 to life, Affinity, the magazine’s parent company, created the Leadership Alliance-an elite group of the marine industry’s leading suppliers. These companies were invited to participate because they possess as one of their corporate values a true belief in, and commitment to, raising the bar of professionalism across all marine industry sectors, particularly dealers.

“The Boating Industry Top 100 has, in short order, become the most coveted award in the marine market,” explained Tammy Galvin, vice president of Affinity Boating Media. “Marine dealers are on the front line with consumers every day, and this is one way we can help provide much needed benchmarking information for all other dealers to measure themselves against.”

“While most industry awards are given to those dealers that sell the most boats, our Top 100 program is much more qualitatively focused,” said Matt Gruhn, Editor-in-Chief of Boating Industry, “thereby leveling the playing field for all dealers and directing consumers to those dealers that can best deliver on the dream that boat ownership promises.”

The 2008 Leadership Alliance members include: BRP US Inc./Evinrude, GE Capital Solutions, BoatTrader com, Volvo Penta, ADP Lightspeed, Honda Marine, Channel Blade Technologies, Manheim Specialty Auctions and the Marine Retailers Association of America.

Boating Industry magazine, along with the Leadership Alliance, will announce the 2008 Top 100 at an invitation-only gala awards ceremony in Las Vegas on Nov. 19, 2008.

Meet the 2008 Leadership Alliance:

Boating Industry magazine, a 79-year-old business-to-business publication owned by Affinity Boating Media Group, a subsidiary of Ventura, Calif.-based Affinity Group Inc., is the most authoritative and widely respected magazine serving the marine industry. Visit www.boating-industry.com to learn more about the Top 100 and view past years’ winners.

BRP U.S. Inc./Evinrude, Sturtevant, Wis., combines 100 years of Evinrude experience with 50 years of Ski-Doo snowmobiles, 40 years of Sea-Doo personal watercraft, and nearly 90 years of Rotax engines. Today, its Evinrude E-TEC two-stroke direct injection outboard engines deliver an unmatched boating experience, with more power, better fuel efficiency and less maintenance than any other engine. All this means more of what boaters want most: spending more time on the water to create lasting memories. Visit www.evinrude.com.

GE Capital Solutions, Hoffman Estates, Ill., as a recognized leader in the marine industry for more than 30 years, supports its customers with knowledgeable staff, focused on providing outstanding service. Its Commercial Distribution Finance unit creates customized financing programs to help its marine manufacturer and dealer customers grow their businesses. Its array of financing programs and services include inventory finance and seasonal credit lines, pre-owned & pre-sold programs, real estate financing, equipment financing and business credit card. For more information about CDF, call 888/873-8232 or visit www.ge.com/cdf.

Boat Trader is the buying and selling resource for dealers and consumers in print and online, attracting 19.8 million visitors to its Web site and offering more than 400,000 magazines in 2007 alone. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., BoatTrader.com provides inventory listings to nearly 3,200 watercraft dealers, generating more than 1 million leads each year. With more than 125,000 new and used listings, Boat Trader is the consumer resource for their next boat purchase. For more information, visit: www.BoatTrader.com.

Volvo Penta, Chesapeake, Va., has become the fastest growing marine engine company in the world by constantly developing innovative new products and services. The company, founded in 1907, introduced its first outboard engine in 1922, the first in-line 6-cylinder diesel in 1946, the first sterndrive in 1959, the first duo-prop in 1982 and Electronic Diesel Control in 1995. Then, in 2004 Volvo Penta changed the face of marine propulsion forever with the Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS), followed by the Volvo Penta IPS Joystick. Today, a total of 91 boat builders producing 130 plus models worldwide incorporate the system. Visit www.volvopenta.com.

Backed by the Automatic Data Processing Company, the LightspeedMarine dealer management system features five integrated modules to help dealers run their businesses more effectively and profitably. They allow a dealer to manage transaction data on sales, parts and service departments, organize each department as its own profit center, automatically track assets and liabilities, analyze departmental and overall dealership performance and track accounts payables and receivables as well as handle payroll. For more information, call 800/521-0309 or visit www.adplightspeed.com.

Working to change the shape of the marine industry, Honda Marine offered the industry’s first full line of four-stroke outboards long before its competitors followed suit. Honda Marine, Alpharetta, Ga., continues to improve its engine line by incorporating technologies from its highly advanced automotive and racing heritage. For example, Honda Marine outboards are based on technology derived from Formula I and Indy cars, racing motorcycles and street vehicles. In addition, many Honda Marine outboards include exclusive technological features found in automobile engines used in the Honda Accord, CR-V, Element and Civic. Visit: www.hondamarine.com.

Channel Blade Technologies, Virginia Beach, Va., provides online marketing, lead management and sales education solutions that drive customers from the Web to the showroom, increasing traffic and sales for thousands of manufacturers and dealers in the marine, RV and powersports industries. Channel Blade’s Web-based solutions eliminate the need for costly hardware, on-site support and software upgrades while helping marine companies grow their businesses profitably. For more information, call (877) CH-BLADE, or visit www.channelblade.com.

Manheim Specialty Auctions, a division of 60-plus-year-old auction provider Manheim, offers auctions with sales dedicated to boats, RVs, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and powersport vehicles at 20 locations in North America. Benefits for dealers who participate in the auction process include a critical mass of buyers and sellers, credible pricing, market liquidity, affordable participation and technology applications. Customers can take advantage of on-site and online bidding using a variety of technologies such as Manheim Simulcast, which allows dealers to participate in live auctions online. Visit www.manheim.com.

The Marine Retailers Association of America is the leading not-for-profit organization aimed at promoting the recreational marine industry and the welfare of the marine retailer. The association raises the standards of retailing within the industry, provides its members a common source of information concerning all aspects of marine retailing and serves as the voice within the industry and in Washington regarding issues concerning marine dealers nationwide. Visit: www.mraa.com.

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News Source: Boating Industry :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2008 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

The ranking recognizes those marine dealers that are unsurpassed in overall business operations, customer service, marketing and professionalism. Collectively, the 2006 Boating Industry Top 100 employ more than 6,500 people and operate 357 retail locations across North America.

“While most industry awards are given to those dealers that sell the most boats, our Top 100 program is much more qualitatively focused,” said Matt Gruhn, Editor-in-Chief of Boating Industry, “thereby leveling the playing field for all dealers and directing consumers to those dealers that can best deliver on the dream that boat ownership promises.”

Topping the list at No. 1 for the second-consecutive year is Clearwater, Fla.-based MarineMax, followed by: Galati Yacht Sales, based in Anna Maria, Fla.; Singleton Marine Group based in Dadeville, Ala.; Hall Marine Group, based in Lake Wylie, S.C.; and Crystal-Pierz Marine, based in Crystal, Minn. Nearly 400 people joined Boating Industry to honor the Top 100 Dealers at a black-tie celebration Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Boating Industry’s editorial staff reviewed more than 400 applications, culled from more than 3,000 nominations. The applications asked both quantitative and qualitative questions regarding all aspects of marine dealer operations.

“The Boating Industry Top 100 has, in short order, become the most coveted award in the marine market,” explained Tammy Galvin, Group Publisher for Ehlert Publishing Group’s trade magazines. “Marine dealers are on the front line with consumers every day, and this is one way we can help provide much needed benchmarking information for all other dealers to measure themselves against.”

Having passed the billion-dollar mark for total revenue in the last year, MarineMax is now six-times larger than any other dealer in this year’s ranking and has the revenue to fuel countless business initiatives not otherwise an option for smaller dealerships. Perhaps on a store-by-store basis, dealers could compete with a single MarineMax location, but as a corporation, its inclusion in the Top 100 creates a contest that would most likely find MarineMax atop the list every year. In that light, Boating Industry retired the company from the list of Top 100 Dealers and has honored it with an ongoing “Best In Class” designation, which MarineMax must continue to apply for.

Boating Industry also bestowed five additional Best In Class awards to dealers ranked at the top of their categories. Gordy’s Lakefront Marine (ranked 15), based in Lake Geneva, Wis., is the highest-ranking dealer with only one boat brand. Russell Marine (ranked 10), based in Alexander City, Ala., is the highest-ranking dealer with five or six stores. Parks Marina (ranked 9), based in Okoboji, Iowa, is the highest-ranking dealer with three or four stores. Slalom Shop Boats & Yachts (ranked 6), based in Lewisville, Texas, is the highest-ranking dealer with one or two stores. Clark Marine (ranked 31), based in Manchester, Maine, is the highest-ranking dealer with revenue under $3 million.

For the full list of Boating Industry’s 2006 Top 100 Dealers, visit www.boating-industry.com/output.cfm?ID=1168849.

To help bring the Boating Industry Top 100 to life, Ehlert Publishing Group, the magazine’s parent company, created the Leadership Alliance, an elite group of the marine industry’s leading suppliers. These companies were invited to participate because they possess, as one of their corporate values, a true belief in and commitment to raising the bar of professionalism across all marine industry sectors, and particularly for dealers.

The 2006 Leadership Alliance members include: BRP US Inc. /Evinrude, GE Capital Solutions & GE Money, Yamaha, Watch Captain, BoatTrader.com, SHURflo and the Marine Retailers Association of America.

Meet the 2006 Leadership Alliance:

Boating Industry magazine, a 78-year-old business-to-business publication owned by Ehlert Publishing Group, a subsidiary of Ventura, Calif.-based Affinity Group Inc., is the most authoritative and widely respected magazine serving the marine industry. Visit www.boating-industry.com to learn more about the Top 100 and view the inaugural winners.

BRP US, Inc./Evinrude, Sturtevant, Wis., has been delivering quality recreational experiences for people around the world for more than six decades. In 2001, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines joined the Bombardier family, and in 2003 after extensive R&D, the company released Evinrude E-TEC, which revolutionized the outboard engine industry. BRP also produces such innovative products and brands as Sea-Doo watercraft and sport boats, Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Rotax karts and engines and CanAm ATVs and utility vehicles. Visit www.evinrude.com

GE Capital Solutions & GE Money, Hoffman Estates, Ill., creates customized financing programs to help manufacturers sell more products and dealers stock optimal levels of inventory to drive more sales. With more than 50 years of experience serving the marine industry, CDF supports its customers with the industry’s most knowledgeable staff and provides a single point of contact for support. CDF is a recognized leader in the marine industry because it is dedicated to helping customers improve cash flow and grow their businesses though an array of financing programs and services. Visit: www.gecommercialfinance.com

Yamaha Marine Group, Kennesaw, Ga., has quickly become a leader in product quality and technology by providing superior value and customer satisfaction. The company has built a strong brand and loyal customer base in the marine market for its outboard engines as well as its Skeeter, Century and G3 boat brands. In 2000, the company introduced its High Pressure Direct Injection technology that swept the top three industry awards for innovation, design and engineering-the marine equivalent of racing’s Triple Crown. A more recent award-winning and industry-defining introduction is the F225, the world’s first V6 four-stroke outboard. Visit: www.yamaha-motor.com

Watch Captain, the only Microsoft.Net-based dealer management technology built specifically for the marine industry, makes life easier for dealers by streamlining everyday business processes. Watch Captain, Marion, Mass., technology integrates every aspect of the business, from point-of-purchase and sales functions to service and inventory management. As a result, not only are dealers better informed, they are able to better manage their resources, serve their customers and sell more boats. As a Microsoft Certified Partner, Watch Captain can offer its customers the advantage of Microsoft’s continuous research and development as well as the ease of a true Windows-based application. Visit: www.watchcaptain.com

BoatTrader, the online portal for Boat Trader Magazine, is the nation’s largest boating classified source. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., BoatTrader.com displays more than 110,000 boats to an audience of 2.2 million visitors nationwide each month. It serves as a convenient and effective advertising forum for boat dealers and brokers. The company’s goal is to make it easier and faster for its dealers to expand their online presence and to ultimately sell more boats. For more information on BoatTrader.com, visit: www.boattrader.com.

SHURflo has been the marine industry’s leading supplier of plumbing products for more the 20 years. Through innovative product design, superior service and close customer relationships, SHURflo’s solutions support the growth of the marine industry and ensure the satisfaction of boaters around the world. A commitment to quality is at the heart of SHURflo’s success, beginning in the company’s state-of-the art product testing and quality control labs at its Cypress, Calif., headquarters. Through lean manufacturing, continual process improvement and a team-oriented culture, SHURflo’s market and customer responsiveness is unsurpassed. Visit: www.shurflo.com

The Marine Retailers Association of America is the leading not-for-profit organization aimed at promoting the recreational marine industry and the welfare of the marine retailer. The association raises the standards of retailing within the industry, provides its members a common source of information concerning all aspects of marine retailing and serves as the voice within the industry and in Washington regarding issues concerning marine dealers nationwide. Visit: www.mraa.com.

For the full list of Boating Industry’s 2006 Top 100 Dealers, visit
boating-industry.com/output.cfm?ID=1168849

News Source: Boating Industry :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2006 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.