Gearing up for the 2022 ELEVATE SUMMIT – Boating Industry

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By Jamie Stafford

This November, Orlando will play host to ELEVATE SUMMIT, the premier networking event for the recreational marine industry, hosted by Boating Industry magazine and parent company EPG Brand Acceleration. The conference is hosted over three days, featuring keynote speakers, Q& A panels, and the prestigious Top 100 award celebration.

In anticipation of ELEVATE SUMMIT 2022, the Boating Industry editorial team spoke with David Gee about the history of the summit and to get a preview of what’s to come. David Gee is the former editor-in-chief of Boating Industry and content director at EPG Brand Acceleration. He is now consultant, host and producer of the particular Boating Industry Insider podcasts and is responsible for the speakers, content and agenda for Sailing Industry RAISE Summit Conference.

ELEVATE SUMMIT came about as the answer to a question that hadn’t yet been answered by the particular industry. “When the Boating Industry and EPG Brand Acceleration staff first came together to plan a new conference, it started from a clean sheet of paper in terms of exactly what it should be, where it should become, and when, ” recalls Gee.

“There were two main mandates; it was going to be smaller by design, more intimate, so attendees could really feel as if they could have a conversation and connection with a majority of the attendees if they wish. That’s virtually impossible with larger events and conferences. Secondly, we knew we wanted it to end up being an industry-wide event, plus not focused on any one audience or segment of the recreational boating business. ”

While there is a wealth of other conferences available to the recreational marine world (both trade and consumer-facing), there will be a lack of industry-wide events aimed at bringing manufacturers, dealers, and marinas together.

“Manufacturers have their shows, dealers possess national sales meetings and 20 Groups and their own shows and meetings, and the same with regard to marina and boatyard owners and operators and marine trade association professionals, ” Gee says.

“However, we felt as if it would be unique to have this industry-wide gathering at ELEVATE, learning and sharing together about the latest developments regarding key issues impacting the particular industry and their business. Very few other boating industry events brings all these top leaders together to connect, collaborate, cultivate and celebrate. ”

Attendees can expect plenty of events tailored in order to connection and collaboration in ELEVATE. “When it comes to sessions and speakers, I am most looking forward to at the 2022 Boating Industry ELEVATE Summit, like a parent asked to pick out a favorite child, I would just say they’re all great! ” Gee says.

“To kick things off, we’ll get to hear from the 2022 Boating Industry Mover & Shaker associated with the Year. The first full day of the conference, Tuesday, Nov. 15, the opening keynote will feature Curtis Dubay, the particular Chief Economist, Economic Policy Division, at the U. S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D. C.

“We also have got an illustrious industry panel talking about the state of the recreational boating market right now. The screen features president of Brunswick Boat Group Aine Denari, Correct Craft president plus CEO Bill Yeargin, Marine Connection (winner of the 2021 Boating Industry Best 100 Dealer of the particular Year) CEO Danny Goldberg, and Oasis Marinas CEO and co-founder Dan Owens. They will discuss topics such as workforce, supply chain challenges, inventory issues, consumer demand, and take your questions as well. ”

A big part of INCREASE SUMMIT is bringing industry organizations to the table. Legislation’s importance can’t be overstated, and organizations such as the NMMA work to keep the boating industry’s interests afloat (pun intended) in Washington.

“Every year we receive a report from senior government affairs leaders at NMMA on the recreational boating industry’s top legislative priorities. We’ll get an update upon Capitol Hill, and learn about measures designed to address small businesses, infrastructure, and trade. We’ll also learn about strong grassroots efforts to make sure the boating industry is usually heard by policymakers, including ways everyone can get involved at the local, state, regional, and even national levels. ”

Gee himself will also be contributing his expertise in order to the conference by speaking on social media and new marketing strategies for 2022.

“I am super excited to be able to present on ‘How in order to make your marketing more relevant’, ” Gee says. “One of the biggest battles any of us are fighting today is regarding the time and attention associated with our audience. We have to be customer-centric, demonstrate value, and show up differently, if we are usually going to earn time and attention of our audience. And we only have a few seconds to cut through that clutter to create those critical emotional connections. Every single buying decision we make is definitely driven by emotion, particularly when it comes to something as discretionary because a boat! I’ll detail what it takes to tell better stories, and how to be different, engaging plus memorable with your marketing and messaging. ”

The myriad opportunities to hear through industry experts and connect with other thought leaders shows why ELEVATE SUMMIT is such a valuable summit to the sector. In Gee’s own words, “It’s a chance in order to network and share best practices and lessons learned, plus again, to be able to do that with all segments of the leisure boating industry, not simply the particular one these people work in. ”

“And, ” he continues, “ELEVATE not only provides the forum and opportunity to connect, collaborate and cultivate, but also to celebrate. The recreational sailing industry has experienced tremendous growth since the pandemic, but also some challenges. It’s great to be capable to come to warm, sunny Orlando in November, relax by the pool, attend some great sessions, plus at the end of it all, get dressed upward a bit and celebrate the people and organizations who have excelled during this extraordinary time.

Sailing Industry editor-in-chief Adam Quandt and others possess been busy reimagining the Top 100 to be more inclusive of the entire industry, and I can’t wait to see what that looks like this 12 months. And, of course , we will also be celebrating business movers and shakers, top women, and emerging 40 under 40 leaders. ”

Be sure not in order to miss out on this celebration of the marine industry! Discover more regarding the ELEVATE summit from www.boatingindustryelevate.com .