Contents
NEWS
13 The need to attract women to marine
industry careers has been talked about
for years. Now, steps are being taken to
make it happen.
17 Texas dealer Rod Malone is riding
out the recession by cutting costs to the
bone. His advice to colleagues: Hang in
there, because boats will be back.
13
19 Advice for weathering “the raging economic storm” will dominate the Yacht Brokers Association of America’s annual conference Feb. 22-24 in Baltimore.
20 A Feb. 10 entry deadline has been set for the North American Marine Industry Web
Awards, which salute the best industry sites.
23
21 Environmentalism, conservation and all
things green were on the agenda for the Jan. 25-
28 International Marina and Boatyard Conference in Fort Lauderdale.
23 Fuel prices made our 2008 top stories list
as No. 4, but they were also an important element of the No. 1 story, which, of course,
was the economy.
DEPARTMENTS AND COLUMNS
5 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Amid the gloom, there are some bright spots: fuel
prices, credit availability, mortgage rates and a new administration in Washington, armed
with a stimulus package. All of these things can be used as selling points.
6 FEEDBACK: Blog poster Marc Grove thinks it’s time for outboard manufacturers “to
stop charging dealers to sell their products.” Judging by the response, so do many others.
48 MARKETING: Wanda Kenton Smith has some advice for those now having to do their
marketing on the cheap. Her strategies for “low-budget, high-impact marketing” begin
with a simple dictum: Work the phones.
49 MANAGEMENT: Whether they actually do it or not, most
managers acknowledge the wisdom of setting goals. In this
economy, it’s necessary not only to set them, but to adjust them
as conditions dictate, says Mary Elston.
50 NEW TO THE PIPELINE: This month’s products include: a
new busbar design with push-on connections, a stylish aluminum helm wheel for racing sailboats, a portable ramp to protect power and data cables on shore and a propeller promising
better handling and fuel efficiency.
50
52 MOVERS AND SHAKERS: David Goehring moves up to president of Nordic Tugs
Inc., following the death of president/CEO Jim Cress. Gary Miller is named chairman of
the board.
54 FOR THE RECORD: Brunswick Corp., the industry’s largest boatbuilding company,
and MarineMax, its biggest dealer, complete financial agreements that expand their credit
lines and give them additional flexibility.
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57 CALENDAR: The winter show season peaks, and the industry will be closely watching
sales at the Miami International Boat Show.
