MINNEAPOLIS – With many marine businesses struggling under the pressure of today’s economic reality, the boating industry’s future depends now more than ever on consumers’ ability to find dependable dealers capable of exceeding their sales and service expectations for years to come. These consumers now have a trusted source they can turn to, thanks to Boating Industry magazine's fourth-annual Top 100 Dealers.
This marine dealer ranking has resulted in an incredibly powerful group that collectively generates more than $1.8 billion in annual retail sales. While the U.S. boat industry has recently experienced a decline in unit sales, this group has been thriving, delivering an average year-over-year revenue growth of almost 6 percent.
The Top 100 ranking recognizes those marine dealers that are unsurpassed in overall business operations, customer service, marketing and professionalism. Collectively, the 2008 Boating Industry Top 100 employ nearly 4,800 people and operate 278 retail locations across North America.
“While most industry awards are given to those dealers that sell the most boats, our Top 100 program is much more qualitatively focused,” said Matt Gruhn, Editor-In-Chief of Boating Industry, “thereby leveling the playing field for all dealers and directing consumers to those dealers that can best deliver on the dream that boat ownership promises.”
Parks Marina, based in Okoboji, Iowa, and its three locations including Okoboji Boat Works in Okoboji, Iowa and Parks Marina in Sioux Falls, South Dakota placed 17th on this elite list, which recognizes the best-of-the-best of the more than 5,000 marine dealers in North America. This is the fourth straight year that Parks Marina has captured a Top Twenty placement, reaching #1 for dealers with three to four locations in 2006.
“This dealership offers several amenities that most others don’t. Parks is much more than just a place to buy a boat.” Gruhn said “and Parks Marina’s perfect Customer Satisfaction Index score and its dedication to its employees impressed our editorial team.”
Boating Industry's editorial staff reviewed almost 350 applications, culled from more than 3,000 nominations. The applications asked both quantitative and qualitative questions regarding all aspects of marine dealer operations.
“The Boating Industry Top 100 has, in short order, become the most coveted award in the marine market,” explained Tammy Galvin, Vice President of Affinity Boating Media. “Marine dealers are on the front line with consumers every day, and this is one way we can help provide much-needed benchmarking information for all other dealers to measure themselves against.”
