About

Where Industry Leaders 

●Connect ● Collaborate ● Cultivate ● Celebrate

ELEVATE SUMMIT FAQ

What is ELEVATE SUMMIT? ELEVATE SUMMIT is where top marine industry visionaries and emerging leaders convene over strategic content to CONNECT, COLLABORATE, CULTIVATE & CELEBRATE

Where is ELEVATE SUMMIT? ELEVATE SUMMIT is at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta this November 8-10, 2021

Who Attends? By design, ELEVATE SUMMIT is an intimate gathering of thought-leaders who come to focus on, address and learn the latest developments regarding key issues impacting the industry and their business.  


Why is There a Need for ELEVATE SUMMIT? No other industry event invites top leaders together to connect, collaborate, cultivate and celebrate in an exclusive, intimate community. This investment benefits not only the attendee, but the marine industry overall.


What are Key Benefits of Attending ELEVATE SUMMIT?

CONNECTION 

●Meet new colleagues and industry leaders 

● Develop deeper relationships with peers   

● Share industry experiences 

● Break through traditional industry segmentation 

COLLABORATION

●Address key industry and business issues

● Discuss and exchange strategies and solutions in an open forum

● Work together in common focus

● Generate new ideas and concepts  

CULTIVATION

●Learn from top marine and outside industry experts and business leaders 

●  360-degree point-of-view 

●  Explore latest breaking and comprehensive dealer, manufacturer, consumer and market intelligence data 

CELEBRATION

●Recognize top achievers throughout the marine industry 

● Honoring the 2021 Top 100 and Hall of Fame dealers 

● Celebrate industry movers and shakers, top women and emerging 40 under 40  leaders

Hotel

Boating Industry ELEVATE SUMMIT chose the Hyatt Downtown Atlanta because it is located in a culturally rich and innovative neighborhood, near many restaurants and museums. 
Make Your Hotel Reservation Here!

Top 100

2020 Top 100 Dealers Presentation

About the Program

Welcome to the informational menu for Boating Industry magazine’s Top 100 Dealers program. This editorial-based awards program is designed to recognize and celebrate the best-of-the-best among marine dealers and to share best practices and benchmarking data with the entire universe of marine dealers.

To be considered for the list, dealers must complete and submit an application form. Dealers can be nominated by suppliers but do not need to be nominated in order to apply for the program. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE TOP 100

Sponsor ELEVATE SUMMIT

PRODUCED BY EPG MEDIA & SPECIALTY INFORMATION

10405 Sixth Avenue N, Suite 210 Plymouth, MN 55441 - 763-383-4400

GENERAL INFORMATION & PRESS INQUIRES

Susan Clement
SClement@Epgmediallc.com
763-383-4454

SPONSORSHIPS

For questions related to sponsoring Elevate, use the contact information below:
Leslie Palmer
LPalmer@Boatingindustry.com
763-383-4460

Sara Nath
SNath@Boatingindustry.com
763-383-4410

Mariah Gjerdingen
mgjerdingen@Boatingindustry.com
763-383-4412

TOP 100

For questions related to Top 100, use the contact information below:
Adam Quandt
AQuandt@Boatingindustry.com
763-383-4424

Leslie Palmer – Sponsorships
LPalmer@Boatingindustry.com
763-383-4460

Custom

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Sponsors
Agenda
08
4:00 PM
- 5:00 PM
Mover & Shaker Fireside Chat
The term “Movers and Shakers” was coined by Arthur O’Shaughnessy in his 1874 poem Ode. It is commonly used to describe those whose achievements are uncommon. For our purposes, the 11th annual Boating Industry Movers & Shakers Awards recognize innovative leaders and pioneers in the recreational boating industry who embrace the challenge of change. Their passion for boating, combined with a continual quest for improvement and problem solving, not only make their own companies better but brighten the future of the entire industry. Content director and editor-in-chief David Gee will interview this year’s Mover & Shaker in an unscripted, free-flowing, and wide-ranging conversation about their personal and professional life.
The term “Movers and Shakers” was coined by Arthur O’Shaughnessy in his 1874 poem Ode. It is commonly used to describe those whose achievements are uncommon. For our purposes, the 11th annual Boating Industry Movers & Shakers Awards recognize innovative leaders and pioneers in the recreational boating industry who embrace the challenge of change. Their passion for boating, combined with a continual quest for improvement and problem solving, not only make their own companies better but brighten the future of the entire industry. Content director and editor-in-chief David Gee will interview this year’s Mover & Shaker in an unscripted, free-flowing, and wide-ranging conversation about their personal and professional life.
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Networking Reception
09
8:00 AM
- 8:30 AM
Coffee
8:30 AM
- 10:00 AM
Keynote Speaker Elliot Eisenberg, PhD, "It's the economy!"
The guy behind “laughs and graphs” loves to speak about economics. And he does it in an energetic, entertaining, as well as educational way. That’s why we have asked him back to be the opening keynote at the third annual ELEVATE SUMMIT. For those of you who haven't seen him before, he has a funny and fast-moving presentation that covers lots of ground. For those of you who have seen him, you know that he helps to get things off to a memorable start with plenty of takeaways. Elliot will cover macroeconomic conditions such as GDP growth, interest rates, unemployment, inflation, currency movements, the health of the housing market and real estate, demographics, energy prices, household behavior, wage growth, income inequality, automobile sales, etc. And then he ties it all back to how those things might impact or influence the recreational boating industry operating environment.
The guy behind “laughs and graphs” loves to speak about economics. And he does it in an energetic, entertaining, as well as educational way. That’s why we have asked him back to be the opening keynote at the third annual ELEVATE SUMMIT. For those of you who haven't seen him before, he has a funny and fast-moving presentation that covers lots of ground. For those of you who have seen him, you know that he helps to get things off to a memorable start with plenty of takeaways. Elliot will cover macroeconomic conditions such as GDP growth, interest rates, unemployment, inflation, currency movements, the health of the housing market and real estate, demographics, energy prices, household behavior, wage growth, income inequality, automobile sales, etc. And then he ties it all back to how those things might impact or influence the recreational boating industry operating environment.
10:15 AM
- 11:15 AM
The State of Recreational Boating in America
Hear from senior government affairs leaders at NMMA on the recreational boating industry's top legislative priorities. We’ll hear about the temperature these days on Capitol Hill, and measures designed to address small businesses, infrastructure, and trade. We’ll also hear about NMMA's strategy to support boating businesses during this unusual time, and also highlight the wins that the boating industry has already seen in previous packages. Lastly, we’ll learn about strong grassroots efforts to make sure the boating industry is heard by policymakers, including ways you can get involved at the local, state, regional, and even federal levels.
Hear from senior government affairs leaders at NMMA on the recreational boating industry's top legislative priorities. We’ll hear about the temperature these days on Capitol Hill, and measures designed to address small businesses, infrastructure, and trade. We’ll also hear about NMMA's strategy to support boating businesses during this unusual time, and also highlight the wins that the boating industry has already seen in previous packages. Lastly, we’ll learn about strong grassroots efforts to make sure the boating industry is heard by policymakers, including ways you can get involved at the local, state, regional, and even federal levels.
11:15 AM
- 12:00 PM
"Navigating the political and economic waters" by NMMA
Hear from senior government affairs leaders at NMMA on the recreational boating industry's top legislative priorities. We’ll hear about the temperature these days on Capitol Hill, and measures designed to address small businesses, infrastructure, and trade. We’ll also hear about NMMA's strategy to support boating businesses during this unusual time, and also highlight the wins that the boating industry has already seen in previous packages. Lastly, we’ll learn about strong grassroots efforts to make sure the boating industry is heard by policymakers, including ways you can get involved at the local, state, regional, and even federal levels.
Hear from senior government affairs leaders at NMMA on the recreational boating industry's top legislative priorities. We’ll hear about the temperature these days on Capitol Hill, and measures designed to address small businesses, infrastructure, and trade. We’ll also hear about NMMA's strategy to support boating businesses during this unusual time, and also highlight the wins that the boating industry has already seen in previous packages. Lastly, we’ll learn about strong grassroots efforts to make sure the boating industry is heard by policymakers, including ways you can get involved at the local, state, regional, and even federal levels.
12:00 PM
- 1:30 PM
Networking Lunch
1:30 PM
- 3:00 PM
"Women and the Marine Industry Panel" moderated by Angela Pilkington, EVP, Correct Craft

You won’t want to miss the personal and professional insight facilitated by moderator Angela Pilkington, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff of Correct Craft along with panelists Ann Baldree, Senior Vice President Chaparral Boats, Inc., Robalo Boats, LLC and Vortex Boats; Ellen Bradley, Senior Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, NMMA; Natalie Briggs Carlson, Executive Director of the MRAA Foundation; Keri Doscher, Vice President of Emerald Coast Marine; and our very special guest, Helene Mellquest, President of Volvo Penta. 

You won’t want to miss the personal and professional insight facilitated by moderator Angela Pilkington, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff of Correct Craft along with panelists Ann Baldree, Senior Vice President Chaparral Boats, Inc., Robalo Boats, LLC and Vortex Boats; Ellen Bradley, Senior Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, NMMA; Natalie Briggs Carlson, Executive Director of the MRAA Foundation; Keri Doscher, Vice President of Emerald Coast Marine; and our very special guest, Helene Mellquest, President of Volvo Penta. 
3:00 PM
- 4:00 PM
The Customer - and Boating Industry - of Tomorrow
Join this senior executive from one of the boating industry’s largest companies to discuss how the pandemic changed how we make and sell boats, and what changes might be in store for the future. Will boomers continue to boat? And buy? How will the touchless buying process continue to evolve? What do the boaters of tomorrow want in terms of product, and how will they want to demo and buy that product? We’ll touch on these topics and much more as we all learn together.
Join this senior executive from one of the boating industry’s largest companies to discuss how the pandemic changed how we make and sell boats, and what changes might be in store for the future. Will boomers continue to boat? And buy? How will the touchless buying process continue to evolve? What do the boaters of tomorrow want in terms of product, and how will they want to demo and buy that product? We’ll touch on these topics and much more as we all learn together.
4:00 PM
- 5:30 PM
Networking Reception
5:45 PM
- 7:00 PM
Women Making Waves Reception
10
7:45 AM
- 8:15 AM
Coffee
8:15 AM
- 9:30 AM
Day Two Keynote and Corporate Energizer Dustin James, "Creating everyday excellence; how to become a creative leader to find unrecognized opportunities for your teams and customers"
Dustin is on a mission to elevate the workplace by helping organizations increase sales performance through the building of resilient, connected, and creative leaders. His interactive learning experiences, tailored stories, and anecdotes, as well as his energy and ability to engage a group, will get our day off to a rousing start. He has presented to over 500,000 people, been a top sales performer in multiple industries, is a serial entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and certified sales coach.
Dustin is on a mission to elevate the workplace by helping organizations increase sales performance through the building of resilient, connected, and creative leaders. His interactive learning experiences, tailored stories, and anecdotes, as well as his energy and ability to engage a group, will get our day off to a rousing start. He has presented to over 500,000 people, been a top sales performer in multiple industries, is a serial entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and certified sales coach.
9:30 AM
- 10:30 AM
Boating Industry Exclusive Data Presentation
It’s all here, in the live version of our annual guide to marine statistics. We break down data from NMMA, Boats Group, Spader Business Management, Info-Link, and Statistical Surveys, Inc., as well as our annual Boating Industry proprietary dealer survey. You’ll get sales trends, dealer metrics, export trends, market share, as well as data sets specifically from our Top 100 dealers.
It’s all here, in the live version of our annual guide to marine statistics. We break down data from NMMA, Boats Group, Spader Business Management, Info-Link, and Statistical Surveys, Inc., as well as our annual Boating Industry proprietary dealer survey. You’ll get sales trends, dealer metrics, export trends, market share, as well as data sets specifically from our Top 100 dealers.
10:45 AM
- 11:30 AM
Boating Industry Consumer Panel proprietary analysis; deep dive into boating behaviors and buying habits of today's boating consumer
EPG Media data analyst Danny Brager. This is a brand-new session, debuting at this year’s ELEVATE SUMMIT. EPG Media & Specialty Information, the parent company of Boating Industry, owns a wide range of B2B and B2C magazine platforms and titles in the powersports and boating arenas, as well as beverage. They have recently hired some data miners who are in the business of taking raw numbers and surveys and metrics and then figuring out the real story behind the numbers. The “why should you care” stuff. They have been compiling a year’s worth of surveys from the Boating Industry Consumer Panel, members of the broader boating public, not members of the boating industry, and will be presenting fresh, hot off the press, insights on consumer boating and buying habits and behaviors. You want to miss this unique presentation.
EPG Media data analyst Danny Brager. This is a brand-new session, debuting at this year’s ELEVATE SUMMIT. EPG Media & Specialty Information, the parent company of Boating Industry, owns a wide range of B2B and B2C magazine platforms and titles in the powersports and boating arenas, as well as beverage. They have recently hired some data miners who are in the business of taking raw numbers and surveys and metrics and then figuring out the real story behind the numbers. The “why should you care” stuff. They have been compiling a year’s worth of surveys from the Boating Industry Consumer Panel, members of the broader boating public, not members of the boating industry, and will be presenting fresh, hot off the press, insights on consumer boating and buying habits and behaviors. You want to miss this unique presentation.
11:30 AM
- 1:00 PM
In-Person Networking Lunch
1:00 PM
- 1:45 PM
Crystal ball time: where are boat sales headed in 2022 and beyond?
Okay, so we know sales have been strong for over a year, but how long will the sales surge last? What segments hold the strongest potential for growth? What segments are lagging? Where are the areas of concern? What should we expect in the next couple of years? This industry analyst follows the numbers every single day, and we’ll use his prognosticating skills to forecast the future.
Okay, so we know sales have been strong for over a year, but how long will the sales surge last? What segments hold the strongest potential for growth? What segments are lagging? Where are the areas of concern? What should we expect in the next couple of years? This industry analyst follows the numbers every single day, and we’ll use his prognosticating skills to forecast the future.
2:00 PM
- 3:15 PM
Top 100 Dealer Panel
We all want to learn from the best, right? This is your chance. This panel discussion features the Boating Industry Top 100 Dealer of the Year and other top finalists as they share best practices and lessons learned from the past, as well as their thoughts on the future. This session also includes a lively Q & A as everyone gets a chance to interact with these dealers and receive some strong strategic takeaways, but also some more granular, tactical tips as well.
We all want to learn from the best, right? This is your chance. This panel discussion features the Boating Industry Top 100 Dealer of the Year and other top finalists as they share best practices and lessons learned from the past, as well as their thoughts on the future. This session also includes a lively Q & A as everyone gets a chance to interact with these dealers and receive some strong strategic takeaways, but also some more granular, tactical tips as well.
6:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Boating Industry Top 100 Reception (Invite only)
7:00 PM
- 10:00 PM
Boating Industry Top 100 Awards Celebration (Invite only)

And last, but certainly not least, Boating Industry announces its 2021 Top 100 dealers at a black-tie gala. From the thousands of dealers in North America — and hundreds of nominations — these 100 dealers represent the best of the best. The Top 100 is the only independent ranking of boat dealers in North America.

The list recognizes dealerships that are unsurpassed in business operations, professionalism, marketing tactics, customer service, and more. The Boating Industry Top 100 has recognized the top dealers in North America every year since 2005.

And last, but certainly not least, Boating Industry announces its 2021 Top 100 dealers at a black-tie gala. From the thousands of dealers in North America — and hundreds of nominations — these 100 dealers represent the best of the best. The Top 100 is the only independent ranking of boat dealers in North America.

The list recognizes dealerships that are unsurpassed in business operations, professionalism, marketing tactics, customer service, and more. The Boating Industry Top 100 has recognized the top dealers in North America every year since 2005.