WINTER 2013
Summit in the Snow Inside the Annual Industry Conference in Steamboat, CO
Manufacturer Profile
CWB/Connelly Slingshot Director of Sales
Greg Kish Retail Spotlight
Miami Ski Nautique +MEMBER DIRECTORY
Published by the
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LETTER FROM HEADQUARTERS
Strategic Plan With an ongoing effort to move the WSIA and our industry forward, we are continuously analyzing our strengths and weaknesses and taking your suggestions for how to improve. One year ago, this took shape as our first Strategic Plan that was presented to the WSIA Board of Directors. This document was the result of a lot of work from a lot of people. Jim Emmons, President of the WSIA, James Krawczyk, our marketing and social media genius, along with the help of Consensus Communications of Orlando, put together a 44-page report and plan that is reviewed every quarter.
other WSIA divisions, cable park members are now able to download universally adopted liability waivers and on-site warning sign language via their unique password. Jim is now working on the Camps and Schools division in the same manner. We hope to have a core group of interested Camps and Schools owners at the 2013 Summit in the Snow, where this work will continue to develop. Jim was able to bring over 20 Camps and Schools for a preview meeting at Surf Expo, and with that kind of turnout we’re optimistic that we will see similar numbers at the Summit to hammer out the first round of deliverables to this group.
How Did We Do? We are pleased to report the WSIA had its second straight year of growth in both membership and revenue. Thanks to the efforts of Jim Emmons we were able to add several new “silos” to our membership base. The cable park industry has been on our radar for years, but Jim was able to round up a core group to attend the 2012 Summit in the Snow and show them what we could do for them. Seven months later we again brought this unique “silo” together at September’s Surf Expo and made good on our promise to provide the most comprehensive risk management program to date for cable park operators. Similar to
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New Summit Sponsors WSIA is pleased to announce that Surf Expo has stepped up to a “name-in-title” position for the 2013 Summit in the Snow. We are also pleased to announce Clarion Marine audio as the Summit’s presenting sponsor. Other long time sponsors include The Rietz Law Firm, Belter Insurance, Murphy Systems, Boating World and World Sports & Marketing.
WSIA Dealer Alliance One of our most ambitious projects today for the Summit in the Snow has been the creation of the WSIA Dealer Alliance. Jim, who has turned out to be the true visionary of the WSIA, met with Bill McCaffray at the 2012 Summit and asked Bill to help lead the effort to get more dealers to participate in the Summit in the Snow. The premise was quite simple. The more dealers that attend the Summit will cause more manufacturers to attend. With the Board’s approval, the WSIA Dealer Alliance has created with what we believe are the top 21 dealers diversely and equitably representing our core manufacturer members. They are a combination of pro shops, boat dealers and those that provide both. As of mid-January, the following dealers had committed to attend: Ambush/Buywake, M&M WaterSports/Boardco, Miami Ski Nautique, Tommy’s Slalom shop, Texas Ski Ranch, Minnesota Inboard Water Sports, Transition WaterSports and Action Water Sports from Michigan. With the help of some creative ideas and Bill’s hardworking team, we have already tripled the number of dealer registrations over last year and we expect that this number will grow substantially through February.
Dan Clark The WSIA secured Hall of Fame professional speaker and former NFL player, Dan Clark for the Summit’s keynote address. Jim Emmons presented the concept to hire Dan at WSIA’s September board meeting where he played a video excerpt of Dan’s work. Jim has seen Dan speak on two previous occasions and raved about how he can emotionally move the audience. Jim’s comment was, “He will give Bill Walton a run for his money!” referring the to 2010 presentation at Park City where NBA Hall of Famer, Bill Walton wowed the audience with the best speech the Summit ever had. As a primary contributing author of the famous Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Dan Clark calls himself a “story-teller” and his twenty-plus years of story telling have landed him in the Speaker’s Hall of Fame with the likes of Zig Ziglar, Art Linkletter, Ronald Reagan, Colin Powell and Norman Vincent Peale to name a few. Dan has also been to the Middle East and Afghanistan several times to speak to our troops. If you have never been to the Summit in the Snow, this is your chance to come to one of our industry’s most rewarding events and to get a chance to hear a world-class speaker.
Be a part of the Dealer Alliance Maybe you’ve heard of this effort and maybe you were not targeted
to be included in this year’s elite group. Would you like to be? We want dealers that understand what the WSIA can do for them and how we work behind the scenes to make sure you have access to waterways in your local market. The first step in the process would be to attend the Summit in the Snow 2013. You can get the same discounted registration, the same killer room deal, and the same free lift ticket as Dealer Alliance members. You will get to come to all the same breakouts and seminars. And most importantly, you will be sending a strong message to your manufacturer reps and executives that you “get it,” and are part of this industry’s core group.
Pennsylvania Law Passed We have been working with the State of Pennsylvania for the last 18 months. Pennsylvania was considering adopting the Indiana law regarding wakesurfing. Indiana became the first state to outlaw wakesurfing behind an outboard or inboard/outboard while making it legal to wakesurf behind an inboard or V-drive powered boat. We are pleased to report that that the Pennsylvania law went into effect Jan 1, 2013. This is another huge victory for the WSIA and our dealers. Just imagine the loss of revenue had wakesurfing been outlawed behind all boats in Pennsylvania, Indiana and West Virginia as it was originally proposed! The WSIA thwarted yet another assault on our financial well being! We will be sending out a WSAN
alert on this exciting news in the next few weeks.
Kevco And now the best for last. We think that Water Sports Retailer (WSR) can and should be one of the most valuable tools for our dealers. So, we’re pleased to announce that we were able to hire one of the most dialed-in editors we could find. Please welcome Kevin Michael (a.k.a. Kevco) to the WSIA team as the editor of WSR. Kevco brings a lifelong passion and experience, taking to the water at five years old and progressing to become a professional water skier. His love for wakeboarding led him into the editor position at WAKEBOARDING Magazine, where he authored countless articles and tested every boat on the market for many years. Kevco is a respected industry insider that has had a finger on the pulse of this industry for 15 years. Please help us welcome Kevco to the team. Feel free to contact him with any ideas you have: kevco@kevcomedia.com
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MANUFACTURER PROFILE
Connelly/CWB/Proline Standing By Their Original Mission Statement Since 1965. Interview with Kevco and Jay Quam, VP Sales & Marketing
Kevco: What is your company
What are dealers doing these
What is the value in overseas
philosophy on keeping the deal-
days that are really helping sales?
production now compared to the
ers happy, helping them sell
Before the recession, everybody
past?
though, etc.?
was able to ride the wave, so to
Overseas production was awe-
Jay: From the beginning, we’ve
speak. But these days, the dealers
some in year’s past, but it’s be-
had a mission statement ‘to be the
that are successful are the ones
come costly. It’s time consuming
leader in quality products, innova-
putting in the time and energy
and shipping expenses can be
tion and customer satisfaction.’
into making things happen. How
hard to control. Every year we
Even though it’s an old saying, it’s
you do that is by staying involved
come closer to bringing more pro-
been something that still holds
in the sport by doing events, pro-
duction back to the US. We have
true, and we really are committed
motions and being active on so-
kept our factory and the skilled
to all those things and you can’t
cial media – basically pushing the
labor here the whole time just in
have one without the other. We’ve
sport proactively instead of wait-
case we get to that point. We are
been doing this since 1965 and it’s
ing for people to walk in the shop.
pretty close to that point right
still the same commitment today.
Keeping yourself relevant is an
now.
We also spend a lot of time listen-
ongoing initiative and having an
ing to dealers and consumers to
online presence is more important
Your product line is becoming
really help people enjoy their time
now than ever.
quite diverse. Are you seeing
on the water.
growth in other segments besides core wakeboarding and waterskiing?
Gabe Lucas. Photo: Meddock
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CWB Team rider Will Christien. Photo: Meddock
Having a diverse product line is
manufacturers have the coastal
you won’t be around.
also a key. Waterski sales are down,
areas locked up, but if you look at
You’ve obviously been realis-
wakeboards are steady, tubes are
our distribution, it’s mostly all in-
tic on the manufacturing side as
cranking, standup paddleboards
land, lakes and rivers. Our biggest
well. We hear dealers saying that
are unbelievable and believe it or
growth this year will be with SUPs,
your products ship on time, have
not, kneeboards are strong. Wake-
towables and kneeboards.
low warranty claims, etc.
surfing, while the numbers are still
Warranty is key. I’ve been here for
smaller than other lines, is showing
Your longevity in this industry is
over 20 years and in the nineties,
incredible growth. So having our
obvious to all of us involved. What
we had a warranty nightmare or
hands in all those areas helps us
is the key to that vitality and how
two. But now, in the summertime,
weather the storm if one segment
were you able to overcome chal-
we have two people in our war-
is having an off year. We don’t rely
lenges like the recession?
ranty department and in the win-
on one area to make or break us.
We’ve always been realistic about
ter we only need one. Basically
what the market is doing and what
we build a quality product that
Explain your success in the SUP
we can sell. We budget accord-
doesn’t break. And if we have a
market.
ingly and stick to those budgets.
problem in production, we shut
Last year, we started out conser-
There are a lot of examples in this
down production until it’s figured
vatively and we sold about three
industry where those boundaries
out. So if there is a problem out
times what we thought we’d sell.
are not considered and people go
in the field, we’re backing it up
We could have done more. So
outside what is realistic. It’s critical
with service and standing by the
now, it’s really blowing up and we
to have people on staff who are
product by taking care of both the
are offering six boards in the line
passionate about the sport, but
dealer and the customer. That’s a
with free freight through our nor-
you have to be smart about the
company philosophy.
mal distribution channels. The surf
way you run a business otherwise
Connelly’s Jamie Beauchesne. Photo: Kris Dobbins
Josh Twelker & Mike Dowdy. Photo: Meddock
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EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Greg Kish How Slingshot Sports Established a Winning Strategy By: Kevco
Greg Kish Title: Director Of Sales Years With Slingshot: 11 With your 2007 launch in the wake market, there was some skepticism
that
a
kiteboard
manufacturer would make it as a wakeboard brand. Were you feeling that? Yes. Our competitors would sell against our brand with this story, but the history runs deep with our design team in the wakeboard industry. Tony Logosz worked with Herb O’Brien to help design the first Darin Shapiro pro model and he also did design work with Bill McCaffray back in the Neptune days. I’m fortunate to work for a brand that is very passionate about watersports and has a
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strong track record developing
Ride Shop and Chuck Morrow
innovative products and bringing
from Ambush Boarding Co. were
new technologies that change the
early believers.
game. It was also helpful that Liq-
uid Force has a strong kiteboard-
There seems to be respect in the
ing division and is also a leader in
way you were just talking about
the wakeboarding market.
other brands in the market. And
people say you have good cama-
What were your biggest chal-
raderie with competing reps from
lenges as a new brand in wake?
other brands. That is unusual. Ex-
The timing of our launch could
plain your perspective there.
have been better. We missed fall
We work in an incredible industry
Surf Expo in September 2006 and
and everyone is passionate about
thought we could deliver product
action sports. I find common
in February 2007 and still get deal-
ground with the other sales reps
ers on board. Ronix also launched
in the way they live their lives and
around the same time and did a private showing of their new products to their core dealers at OWC in Orlando. By the time we had product to show, the dealers had already spent their pre-book dollars and were very excited to support Paul and Herb O’Brien’s new company. It was not easy but our story did resonate with a few key dealers and they took some risk and brought in a few units. John Vincent from Active Watersports, Wade Wagley from Greenhouse
Greg Kish, product testing
how they choose to spend their
What is they key to Slingshot’s
were many skeptics and our com-
free time. Wakeboarding, snow-
success?
petitors used this skepticism to
boarding, skiing, skateboarding,
I think the leadership and vision
pigeonhole the product into cable
surfing, kiteboarding, motocross,
that Jeff Logosz provides the
or rail-specific applications. The
mountain
company is probably the most
truth is, our product works great
important. Jeff and Tony Logosz
behind the boat, on the cable, or
biking,
wakeskating,
wakesurfing,
standup
paddle-
boarding – these are all great sports and I find that many of us share the same values. I think it’s also important to look at
riding
“If all brands can work together to make the dealer stronger then we all benefit.”
obstacles.
LIPSMACK
did
a
great job of showcasing
the
brand
and the unique style of our riders.
the bigger picture and this is really amplified when
are the founders of our brand and
What has Shredtown done for
you’re working with other reps
their passion for watersports is au-
the brand and the sport overall?
at dealer sponsored events like
thentic and real. They truly want to
Shredtown is probably one of the
boat shows, demo days, and sales
produce products that have an im-
most authentic stories in the sport
events). All of the major brands
pact and lead to progression.
of
operate under a dealer-based dis-
them sending their YouTube vid-
tribution model. So in theory, if all
What did the movie LIPSMACK
eos to us back in the early days. I’m
brands can work together to make
do for you as a brand?
not sure where they bought their
the dealer stronger then we all
LIPSMACK was very well received
product or how they heard about
benefit. Don’t get me wrong, I en-
and I think it provided a bit of
the brand but the videos started
joy the competitive nature of the
legitimacy to the brand for the
coming in. We would all gather
sales effort, but working together
wakeboarding skeptics. Our sto-
around the computer screen and
is key.
ry in wakeboarding has revolved
say “holy s--- look what these
around a single word, FLEX. There
kids are doing with our product.”
Taking the kite to the waves
wakeboarding.
I
remember
Mrs. Kish enjoying some SUP scenery (Photos courtesy Kish family album)
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EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH I think Logosz was proud on those
and Mauricio Abreu for Kite.
what is the key to keeping your
days because he clearly saw both
dealers happy?
impact and progression from his
In the beginning, you seemed to
Customer service, sales support,
efforts.
deliver core products, but now
extended dating, preseason dis-
are offering kids products, wake
counts, freight incentives, war-
Do you see winching as an area
surfers and SUPs. Explain that
ranty support, efficient communi-
that will grow, or will it always be
growth in strategy and how is it
cation and follow up. Our partners
a niche?
working out?
expect us to deliver what we
Anything that gives you a pull is
Kid products are in the pipe for
promise and provide value to their
cool. Not sure about the growth of
sure -- Tony and Jeff both have
business. They depend on us to
the winch, but I say, ‘go for it and
young children approaching the
create great products with innova-
show us what is possible.’
grom age group and trust me,
tion that matters (not just hype).
these kids are going to have great
They need us to deliver this prod-
How would you explain your team
products to ride. The good news is
uct on time, at the right price with
overall? What type of riders do
that all kids in this age group are
incredible marketing support to
you go for?
going to benefit – timing is every-
create end user demand and drive
Our team is rad. Honestly, I have
thing. Wakesurfers and standup
sell through.
very little input regarding team
paddleboards are a natural exten-
selection or advancement. I will
sion of Tony’s knowledge and ex-
Why would a customer choose
work with shops directly to help
pertise in shaping and allows us to
Slingshot
groom the ‘shop riders’ but this is
offer a more robust product line to
Riders should buy Slingshot not
where I draw the line. Once it goes
our partners.
solely because of the product we
Greg Kish, all-weather waterman
10
other
brands?
make, but why we make it. We
to the next level I hand them off to the experts – Jeff McKee for Wake
over
Being an independent brand,
are a passionate group of action
sports participants and we take
I graduated from Penn State with
pride in the product we produce.
a degree in Finance but my path
One of the favorite aspects of my
down the watersports industry
job is to take dealers/riders/media
road started with my summer job
partners on a factory tour in North
on the Outer Banks of North Caro-
Bonneville, Washington. Our fac-
lina. I worked for five years at Kitty
tory is amazing and the fact we
Hawk Sports and ran their school/
produce boards in the USA is
rental location. We had it all and
awesome. The attention to detail
couldn’t have asked for a bet-
and pride from the people mak-
ter summer job – WaveRunners,
ing your product is insane – if you
parasailing,
have a chance check out our fac-
windsurfing, and Hobie cats. This
tory video at
was all before kiteboarding came
http://vimeo.com/52255332
along.
Personally, what is your partici-
How does the Internet and online
distribution services we bring to
pant level in the sports you deal
sales affect your business and the
the table.
with? It seems like you live the
relationship with your dealers?
lifestyle and are a participant.
The Internet brings many chal-
What is Slingshot’s long-term
I married an amazing girl and my
lenges and opportunities. It is
strategy and how are you grow-
wife and I are fortunate to enjoy
here to stay and has will continue
ing the sport specifically?
many outdoor activities. We have
to transform the world of retail
Continue building great products
dirtbikes, mountain bikes, skis,
sales. We have an online store
with innovation that matters and
snowboards, surfboards, paddle-
and implemented the Shopatron
provide value to our partners, rid-
boards and kiteboarding gear. The
model for our partners on fulfill-
ers, employee’s and investors. In
Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood
ment. Some of our partners love
terms of sport growth I think we
and Pacific Ocean are all relatively
Shopatron and some do not. The
have to look at the cable parks.
close to Hood River, Oregon so we
Internet will continue to evolve --
These parks are going to have
have many options. One of these
brands/distributors/retailers must
an incredible long term effect on
days we will get a boat but for
embrace change and develop cre-
the watersports industry. Kids will
now if we want to wakeboard or
ative solutions to these changes.
grow up and develop friendships
wakesurf we must pester the crew
riding the cable – then they will
at Active Watersports in Portland
How is it working with the crew at
get older and get jobs. One of
Oregon for a ride. I’m confident
REMOTE Wakeskates?
their buddies will buy a boat, an-
that one day soon a determined
Silas Thurman has done an amaz-
other one will take up kiteboard-
entrepreneur will actually build a
ing job creating end user demand
ing, the third will get into surfing
cable park in the Northwest and
for his brand and our relationship
or paddleboarding. This is where
the riders will rejoice.
seems to work really well. Silas is
the crossover will begin because
very creative and has strong vi-
they have one common waters-
How did you get your start in the
sion and I think he appreciates the
ports bond – wakeboarding at the
watersports industry?
quality of our construction and
cable park.
surfboards,
kayaks,
Greg & his wife out on the trails
11
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RETAIL SPOTLIGHT
Miami Ski Nautique Kim Laursen, Co-Founder
ners, co-owners of a ski boat, and spent many years traveling the southern US, and Europe “chasing buoys.” Henrik’s plan was to return home to Denmark, while mine was to live near my family in Illinois. Somehow, we just never managed to quit skiing long enough to move away from south
Henrik, Kirk and Kim Laursen
by Nautique. Being three avid
Charleston, South Carolina. Hen-
Nautique fans, the conversation
rik, being the salesman that he is,
eventually centered on starting a
somehow convinced me to plan a
small boat dealership. Miami Nau-
wedding near Trophy Lakes on a
tique was founded in 1998, with
Friday night, so we could ski the
Rony as a silent partner. In 2007,
record tournament starting the
we bought Rony’s shares, and be-
next morning.
came sole owners.
What year was Miami Nautique
Miami
literally
Back in the day, we were a six-boat
founded, and what was business
founded on the water. Between
dealership sharing space with
like at that time?
sets of driving, coaching, and ski-
a miami bus company. We had
Miami Nautique is a family run
ing, we often had “wouldn’t if be
one full time service technician,
business located in Miami, FL with
cool if…” conversations in the boat.
a website manager, and a part
a satellite location in Pomano
Some of these talks included our
time bookkeeper. Our boats were
Beach. Our Nautique dealership,
friend, Rony Siekaly who was play-
selling, and we received enough
service center, and water sports
ing center for the Orlando Magic
water sports equipment special
pro shop is owned and operated
at the time, and was sponsored
requests, to open a very lean pro
by my husband, Henrik Laursen, and myself. We’ve been passionately involved in water sports for the past 25 years. Henrik and I met at McGinnis Ski School in Ft. Lauderdale. I was a school teacher driving and coaching skiers, during summer break. and Henrik was a financial manager of a Scandinavian company . We became quick friends, ski part-
14
Florida. Eventually, we married in
Nautique
was
shop.
The Miami Ski Nautique team When did you open the second
It seems like Miami would be a
derstands the needs of high-end
satellite location, and how is that
market different than any oth-
competitors as well as local fami-
working out?
er. What makes your situation
lies. To this end, each and every
About a year ago we opened our
unique?
staff member is a passionate wa-
satellite location on Chrystal Lake
Miami is a great place to call home,
ter sports athlete with technical
in Pompano. This is about an hour
and yes, our market tends be
knowledge of equipment. Since
north of Miami, and home to Dean
unique. For one, we clearly have a
Miami is a popular tourism destina-
Lavelle’s LTS wakeboard school.
warm climate. Therefore, we don’t
tion, our staff is also multilingual,
It’s also just minutes from the Ski
have a predictably slow season,
fluently speaking nine languages.
Rixen cable park, McGinnis Ski
and we have the capability to host
Being located on the coast, much
School, and Chet Raley’s Palm
events year round. The climate is
of our boat market is on salt water.
Beach training center. We’ve got
perfect for ski/wake schools as
This tends to make our boat prep
a fresh water lake for demoing
well, so it gives us an opportunity
and service unique in comparison
boats and equipment, so we’re
to support schools, athletes, and
to the fresh water market. Coastal
happy there, and the store is gain-
coaches.
rent and property tend to run on
ing momentum.
It’s imperative that our staff un-
the high side as well.
15
Sunset at Miami Ski Nautique North. Finally, our ice hockey team is a
G23 wakeboard boat, Nautique
locally in tournaments. Over the
bit unique to south Florida busi-
earned the water sports indus-
years, we’ve developed very spe-
ness. Henrik, along with several
try’s “Manufacturer of the Year” as
cial lifelong relationships with our
staff members, and customers, are
well as “Most Innovative Product
international customers, and enjoy
avid hockey players on our Miami
of the Year.” With the addition of
serving them.
Nautique Hanson Bros ice hockey
the G25, and the NSS Surf System,
We also have representatives in
team.
it’s clearly evident that Nautique
each country to offer local assis-
is not happy with the status quo,
tance to customers as needed.
What types of features are really
which fits our business rational
On any given day, up to eight lan-
helping sell boats these days?
perfectly.
guages are spoken in our pro shop,
We’re proud to represent an in-
16
so it’s important that our staff is
novative and progressive manu-
Explain how the international
multilingual, and understands the
facturer like Nautique. They con-
side of your business works.
cultures of other countries. Our
tinue to step it up year after year
We’ve worked very hard and dili-
by introducing game changing
gently, to develop our interna-
boats, and shifting the landscape
tional business. Miami is a hub for
of water sports. For example, the
Latin America with people travel-
Ski Nautique 200 was introduced
ing to and through our city on a
in 2010, and since then, has set
rather routine basis. Many have
more world records than most
second homes or businesses in
other boat companies combined.
Miami, while others are visiting
With last year’s introduction of the
family, vacationing, or competing
It’s a family business!
Marketing the Miami Ski Nautique business at special events both in the US and abroad. priority is that clients can feel at
monetary values and import taxa-
clinics at our local ski club, World
home when they deal with Miami
tion as well.
Games Cali, Pan American Cham-
Nautique, whether it’s by email, in
pionships, The Beach Games in
person, or over the phone, in their
You
South
Venezuela, various South Ameri-
home language or ours.
America, etc. What is your strat-
can National Championships, the
At the end of the day, we’re all
egy there?
US National Championships, and
speaking the same language – a
We sponsor athletes and events in
the Miami Nautique Intl Record
true passion for the water.
every country, in order to support
slalom and Latin American Big
the sport, and give back to our
Dawg held in Miami. We’re also
customers and friends.
involved in a Miami cable project,
What are the biggest challenges
support
riders
in
there?
which is scheduled to open in the
International shipping and warran-
What types of special events or
ties can be a challenge. Since each
promotions are you working on
country has different customs reg-
this year?
Anything else you want to
ulations, accomplishing smooth
Our next events are the Nautique
touch on?
transitions from country to coun-
Big Dawg tournament in Chile,
Just a big thanks to the manufac-
try can be difficult. Additionally,
and the Miami International Boat
turers who continue to send us
some countries go through times
Show in February. Some other
enough quality innovative prod-
of political instability, affecting
events we’re involved in are: kids’
uct to keep our customers hungry,
next year.
give us great training, and support us year after year. Finally, a note of appreciation for the WSIA and all they do for the industry.
The hockey team
Branded events and materials
17
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safeboatingcampaign.com 18
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GUEST EDITORIAL
Summit in the Snow Draws Largest Attendance Ever New Dealer Alliance Program Brings 14 Shops
The view from the gondola, on the way up the mountain. Photo: Kevco With a new location in Steam-
The WSIA Dealer Alliance Group
top executives, and it provides
boat, Colorado and new, world-
recognized top performance in
a priceless value to everyone in-
class speakers in the lineup, the
watersports with a special award
volved. The Tommy’s Slalom Shop
2013 Summit in the Snow hosted
and the opportunity to participate
group of dealers (which recently
over 170 attendees at the Steam-
in an open forum discussion on
grew to three shops nationwide)
boat Grand Resort on March 5-7.
how to improve the marketplace
left with an invaluable experience.
The new “WSIA Dealer Alliance”
for all dealers.
Founder Tommy Phillips is now
program, driven by Alliance
20
a consultant for the group and
Multimedia brought 14 leading
Now in its 7th year, the Summit in
said, “This year’s Summit was the
shops to the Summit, surpassing
the Snow has proven to be a man-
best ever! Without the skills we
the previous dealer mark of four.
datory event for the industry’s
learned, we could not compete at
As the final meetings concluded and everyone hit the slopes once again, the 2013 Summit in the Snow was considered by all to be a unanimous success. The WSIA would like to thank its sponsorship supporters; Surf Expo, Clarion Audio, Belter Insurance, Reitz Law Firm, Alliance Multithe highest level. The legal advice
Morning seminars gave people
and the new WSIA Dealer Alliance
options on which breakouts to at-
have shaped the way top dealers
tend and covered everything from
lead the industry. We will attend
risk management to social media
the crucial meetings every year to
and Internet marketing.
maintain our edge.”
media, Boating World Magazine, OJ Props, and World Sports & Marketing.
Speakers Peter Reitz & Associates: Risk Management Dr. Dan Maxim: Product Stewardship Greg Walthour: SEO Domination James Krawczyk: Photoshop & WordPress
Keynote Speakers Dan Clark (L) and Ted Murphy (R). Photo: Meddock
The opening night featured Dan
Ted Murphy, from Izea.com in
Clark, a professional speaker and
Orlando, entertained the entire
recent Speaker’s Hall of Fame in-
group with the second keynote
ductee, who delivered a comedic
on Wednesday night. Murphy did
and inspirational keynote on “The
his homework on our industry’s
Art Of Significance” and achiev-
performance in the areas of SEO
ing the level beyond success.
and social media. He gave us the
With the WSIA’s emphasis on
roadmap to success and delivered
relevance, this night really set the
several messages on how to get
tone for a great event.
results.
David Mihm: Local Search Strategy Darlynn Nangano: Social Media & Marketing Sunny Grosso & Shereen Eltobgy: Delivering Happiness In The Workplace Capt. Richard Moore: Boating Law Administrators Greg Agnew: The State of Electronic Releases
21
MEMBER DIRECTORY MANUFACTURERS: BOATS
Skier’s Choice
Connelly Skis
Liquid Force
Maryville, TN (865) 983-9924 www.skierschoice.com
Lynnwood, WA (425)-775-5416 www.connellyskis.com
Encinitas, CA (760) 943-8364 www.liquidforce.com
Creative Water Sports
Nash Mfg / Nash Sports
Redlands, CA 909-335-1885 www.ezski.net
Fort Worth, TX 800-433-2901 www.nashmfg.com
Big Rapids, MI 888-661-2263 www.acmemarine.com
Custom Chutes, Inc.
O’Brien International
Bradenton, FL 941-753-4818
Redmond, WA 407-852-2424 www.obrien.com
Agenda Surf
Eagle Sports
Bryant Boats Sweetwater, TN (423) 337-3639 www.bryantboats.com
Correct Craft Orlando, FL (407) 855-4141 www.nautiques.com
CWS Boats Cape May, NJ (609) 780-6326 www.cwsboats.com
Fineline Industries Merced, CA (209) 384-0255 www.centurionboats.com
GE Capital Hoffman Estates, IL 248-625-3650 www.gecaptial.com
Malibu Boats Merced, CA (209) 383-7469
MANUFACTURERS: EQUIPMENT
Acme Propellers
Chula Vista, CA 619-318-4848 www.agendasurf.com
AM Skis Orlando, FL 407-412-5971 www.amskis.com
Aquaglide/Northsports White Salmon, WA 509-493-4938 www.aquaglide.com
Body Glove Int’l Redondo Beach, CA 310-374-3441 www.bodyglove.com
Houston, TX 800-862-4424 www.eaglesports.com
Bonnier/Transworld Wakeboarding Winter Park, FL 407-628-4802 www.bonniercorp.com
Sanger Boats Fresno, CA (559) 485-2842 www.sangerboats.com
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Redmond, WA 206-257-2301 www.solowatersports.com
HO Sports Redmond, WA (425)-885-3505 www.hosports.com
Performance Diesel Webster, TX 281-464-2345 performancediesel.com
Jobe Sports USA Orlando, FL 407-352-3655 www.jobesports.com
Pleasurecraft
KC Technology/D3 Skis
Revel Match / Rave Sports
Ellensburg, WA 509-933-2312 www.d3skis.com
MasterCraft Boat Co. Vonore, TN (423) 884-2221 www.mastercraft.com
Pacific Watercraft
Little Mountain, SC www.pleasurecraft.com
St. Paul, MN 651-255-4805 www.ravesports.com
Kent Sporting Goods New London, OH www.kentwatersports.com
Roswell Wake-Air Cocoa, FL 321-890-7120 www.roswellwakeair.com
Kwik Tek Comptech / Sky Ski Redding, CA 530-244-6837 www.inboardsports.com
Denver, CO 303-733-3722 www.airhead.com
Slingshot Sports Hood River, OR 509-427-4950 www.slingshotsports.com
Sport Dimension
Action Water Sports, Inc.
Bart’s Water Sports
Deep Creek Marina
Carson, CA 310-320-7873 www.sportdimension.com
Hudsonville, MI 810-629-1342 actionwater.com
North Webster, IN (574)-834-7666
McHenry, MD 301-387-6977
Square One Dist.
Action Water Sports of
Issaquah, WA 425-369-6850 www.squareoneco.com
deepcreekmarina.com
Bennett’s Boat & Ski Tahoe South Lake Tahoe, CA
Zachary, LA 225-654-9306 bennettsboatandski.com
action-watersports.com
Active Water Sports Beaverton, OR 503-643-5018
Springville, UT 801-747-3539 www.boardco.com
activeh2o.com
Adrenaline Watersports
Boulder City, NV 702-293-1122 www.boulderboats.com
Belevue, WA 425-746-9253 adrenalinewatesports.com
Ambush / Buywake.com
Elkton, MD 410-620-2628 www.chessiemarine.com
Kennesaw, GA 770-974-9757 www.ambushboardco.com
Cleveland Boat Center ZF Marine LLC Dartmouth, MA 401-261-1964 www.zf-marine.com
Aqua Sport Marine
Ilmington, IL (815) 476-7802 www.docksidemarine.net
Driport Marine O’Fallon, MO (636) 978-9999 www.driport.com
Flash Watersports & Marina Lake Hopatcong, NJ 973-663-7990 www.flashmarina.com
Fort Fremont Marine Fremont, WI 920-446-3220 www.fortfremont.com
Club Royale Marina Art in Surf
Fenton, MI 810-629-1342 actionwater.com
Cleveland, TN 423-472-1201 clevelandboatcenter.com
Lebanon, TN 615-444-2628 www.aquasportmarine.com
DEALERS
Action Water Sports of Fenton
Dockside Marine
Chessie Marine Sales
WOW World of Watersports Boystown, NE (402) 516-8034 www.wowwatersports.com
Hot Springs, AZ 501-760-7100 diamonlakewatersports.com
Boulder Boats
WaterSki America Dallas, TX 972-620-2377 www.waterskiamerica.com
Watersports
BoardCo. Inc
Wake Journal Orlando, FL 407-476-4791 www.wakejournal.com
Diamond Lakes
Cayucos, CA 805-440-6065 www.artinsurf.com
Waterford, MI 248-681-9100 clubroyale.net
Gull Lake Marine Richland, MI 267-627-4507 www.gulllakemarine.com
Conneaut Lake Navigation Barefoot Central Katy, TX 281-395-9751 www.barefootcentral.com
Conneaut Lake, PA 814-382-3255 www.navcompany.com
Heinen’s Motorsports Osseo, MN 763-425-2178 heinenmotorsports.com
23
MEMBER DIRECTORY Hyperactive Watersports Chestermere, Alberta, CA hyperactivewatersports. com
Memphis Boat Center Memphis, TN 901-744-4444 www.memphisboatcenter.com
New Found Boat Shoppe Bristol, NH 603-744-0777 newfoundboatshoppe.com
Redline Water Sports Chilliwaer, BC www.tige.ca
Regal Marine Pty Ltdt Miami Ski Nautique Island City Watersports Cumberland, WI 715-822-8337 islandcitywatersports.com
Miami, FL 305-438-9464 www.miamiskinautique.com
Overby Marine Sales/ Service Littleton, NC (252) 586-3593 www.overbymarine.com
Midwest MasterCraft Lauderdale Lakes Marina Elkhorn, WI 262-742-3898 lauderdalelakesmarina.com
LIghthouse Harbor Marina Greentown, PA 570-857-0220 www.lighthouseharbor.com
Lynnwood Motoplex Lynnwood, WA 425-774-0505 www.motoplex.net
Main Channel Marina Syracuse, IN 574-457-4200 www.mainchannel.com
MarineMax, Inc. Clearwater, FL (727)-531-1700 www.marinemax.com
MasterCraft Dealer Tempe, AZ 602-541-3857
24
Crystal, MN 763-533-9666
Overton’s
Midwest Watersports Pacific Nautiques Pacific, WA 253-833-4140 pacificnautiques.com
Minnesota Inboard Watersports Excelsior, MN 952-474-1742 www.mninboard.com
Parker Business Planning Orlando, FL 407-843-8808 parkerbusinessplanning.com
Performance Ski & Surf Orlando, FL 407-859-7544 www.perfski.com
Nautiqueparts.com Elizabethtown, NC 910-247-6201 www.nautiqueparts.com
Lake Buena Vista, FL 407-939-0754 www.sammyduvall.com
Raymond, ME (207)-655-7547 www.sebagowatersports.com
Shuswap Marine Ski & Board Centres Calgary, Alberta, CA 403-255-0045 www.shuswapsnb.com
Silver Lake Marine Race City Marine Mooresville, NC 704-799-0008 www.racecitymarine.com
Nautiques of Orlando Orlando, FL 407-425-2678 www.orlandonautiques.com
Sammy Duvall’s Water Sports Center
Sebago Watersports
MP Marine Products Salt Lake City, UT 801-973-4017 www.marine-products.com
Sail & Ski Center Austin, TX www.sailandski.com
Greenville, NC www.overtons.com
Victoria, MN 952-443-1805 midwestwatersports.com
Vermont, Victoria 03-9874-4624 www.regalmarine.com.au
Silver Springs, NY 585-237-5185 www.silverlakemarine.com
Ski Dock Recreation Station Spearfish, SD 605-717-4386 www.recstation.net
Austin, TX 512-918-2628 www.skidock.com
Ski Rixen of Quiet Waters Deerfield Beach, FL
TNT Wakeboarding Raleigh, NC 910-987-5155 www.tntwakeboarding.com
Afrayed Knot Watersports Cortez, FL 941-448-4169 www.floridafunboat.com
H2O Sports Parasailing Hilton Head, SC 843-683-4386 www.h2osportsonline.net
Stan Craft Marine Coeur d’Alene, ID 208-457-8000 stancraftmarinecenter.com
Superior Boat Repair & Sales Rancho Cordova, CA 916-638-3382 superiorboatrepair.com
Tommy’s Slalom Shop Denver, CO 303-455-3091 www.gettommys.com
Fort Worth, TX 817-589-7547 www.texasmastercraft.com
Ocklawaha, FL 352-288-9905
Crystal, MN 763-533-9666 wakeboardwarehouse.com
Waterskis.com Texas Ski Ranch New Braunfels, TX 830-627-2843 www.texasskiranch.com
Crystal, MN 763-533-9666 www.waterskis.com
White Lake Marine The Boat House Iowa City, IA 319-631-0112
Panama City, FL 850-236-8677 www.pcbeachadventures.com
Transition Watersports
Wakeboards.com Texas MasterCraft
High Times, Inc. Aquatic Adventures
White Lake, NC (910)-862-3688 www.whitelake.com
Holland America Beaufort Inlet Watersports Beaufort, NC 252-422-2498 beaufortwatersports.com
Woodard Marine
Banora Point, NSW -95837 www.tige.com
Hydeville, VT 802-265-3690 www.woodardmarine.com
Ft. Lauderdale, FL (206) 626-8091 www.hollandamerica.com
Ikes Beach Service Best Boat Club Ft. Lauderdale, FL 954-562-5179 www.goboatingnow.com
Gulf Shores, FL 251-948-3757 ikesbeachservice.com
Just Chute Me Chute ‘em Up Parasailing Port Aransas, TX 361-774-5792 www.chuteemupparasail.com
Daytona Beach Parasail Tigé Boats Australia
Palm Harbor, FL 727-410-6443 www.hightimesparasail.com
Daytona Beach, FL 386-547-6067 www.daytonaparasailing.com
Destin, FL 850-333-3984 www.parasaildestin.com
Lighthouse Harbor Marina Greentown, PA 510-857-0220 www.lighthouseharbor.com
MB Parasail mbparasailing.com
Dennis Parasail Tigé Performance Mesa, AZ 480-861-0666 www.tigeaz.com
PARASAIL OPERATORS & MANUFACTURERS
Plymouth, MA 508-789-0715 www.capecodparasail.com
East Coast Parasail Tigé Watersports Corona, CA 951-737-9801 www.tigewatersports.com
Adventure Parasail Virginia Beach, VA 757-714-6634
Marco Island Water Sports Marco Island, FL 239-777-9977 marcoislandwatersports.com
North Cape May, NJ 609-889-9481 www.eastcoastparasail.com
25
MEMBER DIRECTORY Miami Beach Parasail
SeaBreeze Parasail
Top of the Line Parasail
KC Watersports
Miami Beach, FL 319-520-8266 miamibeachparasail.com
Virginia Beach, VA 757-286-5930 www.dragonflyparasail.com
Dunedin, FL 727-403-8807 www.clearwaterparasail.com
Paola, KS 913-783-4300 www.kcwatersports.com
Naam Sports
SeaBreeze Watersports
UFO Parasail
Langkawi, Kedah 604-966-5991 www.naam.biz
Honolulu, HI 808-396-0100 seabreezewatersports.com
Lahaina, HI 808-661-78836 www.ufoparasail.net
Orlando Water Sports Complex
Nutin Fancy Fishin, Inc
Sebago Watersports of Key West
Wind & Watersports
Dunedin, FL
Key West, FL www.keywestsebago.com
Ft. Myers, FL 239-765-8080 windandwatersports.com
OBX Parasail
Orlando, FL 407-854-1800 www.orlandowatersports.com
Texas MasterCraft Ft. Worth, TX 817-589-7547 www.texasmastercraft.com
www.obxwaterworks.com
Siesta Key Watersports Paradise Parasail Ft. Myers, FL 239-433-4337
Pleasure Island Parasail Orange Beach, AL 251-609-0244 pleasureislandparasail.com
Sarasota, FL (727)642-2876 siestakeywatersports.com
Pensacola Beach, FL (850) 934-9743 www.radicalrides.com
Sage Sailing Surfside Beach, SC 843-232-8383
Skys The Limit Watersports, Inc.
26
Lafayette, LA www.cajunxcables.com
Dunedin, FL (727)389-2209
Elev8 Wake Park
St. Augustine, FL 904-819-0980 www.smilehighparasail.com
Boulder, CO 303-304-4844 www.elev8wakepark.com
New Braunfels, TX 830-627-2843 www.texasskiranch.com
Sunset Watersports Key West Key West, FL 305-294-1500 sunsetwatersportskeywest. com
Sammamish, WA 206-227-5178
Pleasant Grove, Canada (415) 747-4119 wakeislandwatersports.com
College Station, TX 979-229-9395
ASSOCIATES
Hydrous Wake Park Allen, TX 214-390-3088 www.hydrous.com
Tidalwave Watersports Mt. Pleasant, SC 843-296-9244 tidalwavewatersports.com
Wake Island Watersports
Wakeside at the Barracks H3O Development Partners
SD Watersports Lake Buena Vista, FL 407-939-0754 www.sammyduvall.com
Texas Ski Ranch
CajunXcables
Smile High Parasail Radical Rides
CABLE PARK OPERATORS
Belter Insurance Willows, CA 1-800-540-2258 www.belterinsurance.com
Informes y Soluciones Lima, Peru 51-1-372-2200 informesysoluciones.com
Big Game Watersports Northbrook, IL 847-715-1253 www.shoreline-marine.net
Boating World
Sportspower
The Boarding School
NASBLA
Irvine, CA 949-660-6150 www.boatingworld.com
Altadena, CA (626) 456-1969 www.sportspowerltd.net
Orlando, FL 407-484-5525 theboardingschool.com
Lexington, KY 859-225-9487 www.nasbla.org
Clarion Corp of America
Swimline
Wake Charter
NMMA
Cyprus, CA www.clarion.com/us
Edgewood, NY 631-254-2155 x145 www.swimline.com
Portland, OR 503-421-8188 www.wakecharter.com
Chicago, IL 312-946-6200 www.nmma.org
Coleman Company
Tearepair, Inc.
WakeSurf NC
Wichita, KS 316-832-3084
Land o Lakes, FL 800-937-3716 www.tear-aid.com
Littleton, NC 252-203-7000 www.wakesurfnc.com
National Safe Boating Council
Evolution Insurance Brokers Sandy, UT 801-304-5572 www.eibdirect.com
Unleashed Wake Magazine Toulouse, France 336-125-15123 unleashedwakemag.com
ASSOCIATIONS & FRIENDS
Bristow, VA 703-361-4294 safeboatingcouncil.org
Surf Expo Atlanta, GA www.surfexpo.com
AWSEF Ilmor Marine Mooresville, NC 704-360-1900 www.ilmor.com
Wake Worx Knoxville, TN 865-643-4119 www.supersacr.com
Polk City, FL 863-324-2472 www.waterskihalloffame.com
Dale Dobroth
Indexic, Inc Mt. Pleasant, SC 800-742-4781 www.indexic.net
Ken Cook Co. Milwaukee, WI 414-466-6000 www.kencook.com
CAMPS & SCHOOLS
Chain O Lakes Water Ski School Three Lakes, WI 715-546-2014 chain-o-lakes-skischool.com
INT League Black Diamond, WA 360-886-7822 www.intleague.com
LA Fire Department Redondo Beach, CA 310-318-1395 www.watchthewater.org
Protomet Corp Oakridge, TN 865-425-0600 www.ptmedge.com
Miami Ski Nautique Miami, FL www.miamiskinautique.com
LOFS Watersports Association Crown Point, IN 219-682-8528
USA Water Ski Polk City, FL 863-324-4341
Wake The World Asheboro, NC 336-215-1135 www.waketheworld.org
Wakescout San Juan Capistrano, CA 949-496-2178 www.wakescout.com
REPS
Parker Stair MasterCraft Vonore, TN parker.stair @mastercraft.com
27
“Daddy, you promised to wear your life jacket!” Trust us, she’ll know if you don’t. Brought to you by the National Safe Boating Council and the women who nag love you.
safeboatingcampaign.com