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? Stay tuned for 2022 dates and registration!

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 a 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

Sponsor 2022 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

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

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

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PAST SPONSORS
2021 PHOTOS
2021 Agenda
08
4:00 PM
- 5:00 PM
Mover & Shaker Fireside Chat
Boating Industry recently named Paul Singer, President of Centurion and Supreme, the 11th annual Mover & Shaker of the Year. And you get a chance to find out some of the reasons why as we get ELEVATE underway with a free-flowing, fast-moving Fireside Chat. Join Singer and Boating Industry editor-in-chief, David Gee, as they discuss how to build a winning culture, and many more boating - and non-boating - related topics. The Mover & Shaker of the Year award recognizes innovative leaders and pioneers in the recreational boating industry who are not only endeavoring to grow and improve their own companies but indeed make the entire industry better. There won't actually be a fireplace, but we promise lots of fun!
Boating Industry recently named Paul Singer, President of Centurion and Supreme, the 11th annual Mover & Shaker of the Year. And you get a chance to find out some of the reasons why as we get ELEVATE underway with a free-flowing, fast-moving Fireside Chat. Join Singer and Boating Industry editor-in-chief, David Gee, as they discuss how to build a winning culture, and many more boating - and non-boating - related topics. The Mover & Shaker of the Year award recognizes innovative leaders and pioneers in the recreational boating industry who are not only endeavoring to grow and improve their own companies but indeed make the entire industry better. There won't actually be a fireplace, but we promise lots of fun!
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Networking Reception
Embassy Hall - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
09
8:00 AM
- 8:30 AM
Coffee
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
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.
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
10:15 AM
- 11:15 AM
The State of Recreational Boating in America

Join senior leaders from across the industry as they discuss supply chain challenges, workforce shortages, and other issues facing the recreational boating industry in America. The panel includes Correct Craft CEO Bill Yeargin representing boat builders, Yamaha Marine Group President Ben Speciale representing engine manufacturers, Morningstar Marinas Vice President, Operations, Bill Young representing marinas and boatyards, and on the dealer side, Regal Nautique of Orlando GM/Owner and Watersports Central CEO Jeff Husby. 

 

Join senior leaders from across the industry as they discuss supply chain challenges, workforce shortages, and other issues facing the recreational boating industry in America. The panel includes Correct Craft CEO Bill Yeargin representing boat builders, Yamaha Marine Group President Ben Speciale representing engine manufacturers, Morningstar Marinas Vice President, Operations, Bill Young representing marinas and boatyards, and on the dealer side, Regal Nautique of Orlando GM/Owner and Watersports Central CEO Jeff Husby. 

 
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
11:15 AM
- 12:00 PM
"Navigating the political and economic waters" by NMMA
Join Callie Hoyt, NMMA’s Director of Federal Government Relations, and Lee Gatts, Policy & Engagement Manager, Southeast United States, as they give a rundown on the recreational boating industry's top legislative priorities. We’ll hear about what’s happening on Capitol Hill, and measures designed to address small businesses, conservation, workforce development, trade, etc. We’ll also hear about NMMA's strategy to support boating businesses and highlight the wins that the boating industry has seen recently. Lastly, we’ll learn how we can all get involved through strong grassroots efforts to make sure the boating industry is heard by policymakers at the local, state, regional, and even federal levels.
Join Callie Hoyt, NMMA’s Director of Federal Government Relations, and Lee Gatts, Policy & Engagement Manager, Southeast United States, as they give a rundown on the recreational boating industry's top legislative priorities. We’ll hear about what’s happening on Capitol Hill, and measures designed to address small businesses, conservation, workforce development, trade, etc. We’ll also hear about NMMA's strategy to support boating businesses and highlight the wins that the boating industry has seen recently. Lastly, we’ll learn how we can all get involved through strong grassroots efforts to make sure the boating industry is heard by policymakers at the local, state, regional, and even federal levels.
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
12:00 PM
- 1:30 PM
In-Person Networking Lunch
Embassy Hall - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
1:30 PM
- 3:00 PM
Executive Women’s Panel: Mentoring & Professional Development Strategies, moderated by Angela Pilkington, EVP of 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 Ellen Bradley, Senior VP and Chief Brand Officer, NMMA; Natalie Briggs Carlson, Exec. Director of the MRAA Foundation; Stephanie Vatalaro, Senior VP, Mktg & Comm, RBFF; Marion Minor, CEO of EPG Media & Specialty Information; and 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 Ellen Bradley, Senior VP and Chief Brand Officer, NMMA; Natalie Briggs Carlson, Exec. Director of the MRAA Foundation; Stephanie Vatalaro, Senior VP, Mktg & Comm, RBFF; Marion Minor, CEO of EPG Media & Specialty Information; and Helene Mellquest, President of Volvo Penta.
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
3:00 PM
- 4:00 PM
The Customer - and Boating Industry - of Tomorrow
As the President, Business Acceleration, and Chief Human Resources Officer of Brunswick, as well as a fairly new boater herself, Brenna Preisser has a unique perspective on the recreational boating industry. She says Brunswick believes the industry is at a very special inflection point, especially as the world around us changes so rapidly. The Mover & Shaker of the Year finalist will discuss how the boating business can use some recent tailwinds to shape the future, whether that is through digital, access and participation, attracting new customers, new demographics, design trends, or something we don’t even know about yet. She’ll touch on these topics and much more as we all learn together.
As the President, Business Acceleration, and Chief Human Resources Officer of Brunswick, as well as a fairly new boater herself, Brenna Preisser has a unique perspective on the recreational boating industry. She says Brunswick believes the industry is at a very special inflection point, especially as the world around us changes so rapidly. The Mover & Shaker of the Year finalist will discuss how the boating business can use some recent tailwinds to shape the future, whether that is through digital, access and participation, attracting new customers, new demographics, design trends, or something we don’t even know about yet. She’ll touch on these topics and much more as we all learn together.
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
4:00 PM
- 5:30 PM
Networking Reception
Embassy Hall - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
5:45 PM
- 7:00 PM
Women Making Waves Reception
Embassy Hall - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
10
7:45 AM
- 8:15 AM
Coffee
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
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"
Corporate energizer Dustin James will get our final day off to a fun start with his keynote on how to 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 be great for ELEVATE. 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.
Corporate energizer Dustin James will get our final day off to a fun start with his keynote on how to 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 be great for ELEVATE. 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.
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
9:45 AM
- 10:30 AM
Boating Industry Market Data Book Exclusive Presentation
Data. We all love it these days, and it’s all here, in the live version of our annual Boating Industry Market Data Book guide to marine statistics. Join Boating Industry editor-in-chief and content director David Gee along with managing editor and Top 100 program director Adam Quandt, as they break down the numbers from NMMA, Boats Group, Spader Business Management, Info-Link, and Statistical Surveys, Inc., as well as our annual 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.
Data. We all love it these days, and it’s all here, in the live version of our annual Boating Industry Market Data Book guide to marine statistics. Join Boating Industry editor-in-chief and content director David Gee along with managing editor and Top 100 program director Adam Quandt, as they break down the numbers from NMMA, Boats Group, Spader Business Management, Info-Link, and Statistical Surveys, Inc., as well as our annual 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.
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
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
For the first time ever, Boating Industry convened a panel of 300 boating consumers in 2021 who agreed to participate in a monthly survey about their boating behaviors and buying habits. Also new for 2021, EPG Media, the parent company of Boating Industry, hired a pair of data analysts 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. EPG Media’s Danny Brager will present some highlights from those consumer panel surveys with some interesting and informative “hot off the press” insights. You won’t want to miss this unique proprietary presentation.
For the first time ever, Boating Industry convened a panel of 300 boating consumers in 2021 who agreed to participate in a monthly survey about their boating behaviors and buying habits. Also new for 2021, EPG Media, the parent company of Boating Industry, hired a pair of data analysts 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. EPG Media’s Danny Brager will present some highlights from those consumer panel surveys with some interesting and informative “hot off the press” insights. You won’t want to miss this unique proprietary presentation.
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
11:30 AM
- 1:00 PM
In-Person Networking Lunch
Embassy Hall - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
1:00 PM
- 1:45 PM
Recent Market Trends and their Impact on Future Boating Participation and Purchases
Jack Ellis, a lifelong boater, started Miami-based Info-Link Technologies over three decades ago to track marine industry sales trends and boat registrations. He enjoys examining the industry’s challenges from various perspectives, and for his ELEVATE breakout session will be looking at recent market trends and the impacts they’re apt to have on future recreational boating participation and purchases.
Jack Ellis, a lifelong boater, started Miami-based Info-Link Technologies over three decades ago to track marine industry sales trends and boat registrations. He enjoys examining the industry’s challenges from various perspectives, and for his ELEVATE breakout session will be looking at recent market trends and the impacts they’re apt to have on future recreational boating participation and purchases.
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
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.
International Ballroom North - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
6:00 PM
- 6:30 PM
Boating Industry Top 100 Reception (Invite only)
Embassy Hall - Hyatt Regency Atlanta
6:30 PM
- 9:00 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.
Embassy Hall - Hyatt Regency Atlanta