NMTA Health Trust Informational Meetings

Four NMTA Health Trust informational meetings have been scheduled for members and non-members.  The meetings are one hour long and will feature Will Compton of EPK & Associates, the plan administrator.  Will will provide an overview of the ACA and the new NMTA Health Trust.  For more information please call the NMTA office at 206-634-0911 or RSVP to Lisa Smith at lisa@nmta.net

The dates and locations are:

1. Tacoma, Commencement Bay Services - Tuesday, October 22, 8am

2. Seattle, NMTA office – Tuesday, October 22, 3pm

3. Mount Vernon, Skagit Publishing – Thursday, October 24, 9am

4. Port Townsend, NW Maritime Center – Friday, November 8, 2pm

$14,000 Scholarship Available for Marine Dealer Employee

The MRAA Educational Foundation and Spader Business Management are announcing the introduction of the Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship and are now welcoming applicants.

The scholarship was founded to honor the marine industry service of Spader Business Management founder Duane Spader, as well as his leadership philosophy of life-long learning. The recipient, who receives full tuition to attend the Spader Leadership Development Program, valued at $14,875, must be an employee of a Marine Retailers Association of the Americas retail member. The recipient will only be responsible for their travel expenses.

The Spader Leadership Development Program is a 15- to 18-month program for current and future leaders that involves five three-day sessions at Spader's training facility in Sioux Falls, S.D. In between sessions, participants are tasked with putting what they’ve learned to work in their dealership and tracking the results of those efforts.

Upon graduating from the program, participants will know how to:

• Lead their organization’s culture and strategy
• Improve their leadership and management effectiveness
• Coach their team to higher performance
• Effectively understand and manage each area of Total Business Success^®
• Hire the best candidates for each position
• Deliver world-class customer service
• Assess and improve their dealership’s organizational health.

For more information and to apply, visit the Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship web page: www.mraa.com/?page=Duane_Spader_Scholar. The deadline for applications is Nov. 1, 2013.

NMTA loses Greg Norwine

NMTA received the sad news that long-time board member Greg Norwine passed away over the weekend. Greg was former chair of NMTA's Government Affairs Committee and was a founding member of the Washington Boating Alliance. As details of his memorial and obituary become available, they will be posted here.

"My favorite Greg Norwine story had to have been when he brought in his son to phone bank for a legislative candidate -- two Norwines hitting the phones, making calls to undecided voters. Greg was extremely proud of his son for the extended conversations he was having on the phone with voters that night. 'He's a natural sales person,' Greg said. I will miss his kinds words and leadership within the NMTA family," said Peter Schrappen of NMTA

Owner of NMTA member Inland Surfer receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Henderson, NV - Inland Surfer owner and shaper Jeff Page received the first ever award for Wake Surf Lifetime Achievement at the World Series of Wake Surf Awards earlier this month at the Hilton Hotel on
Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, NV. “The Man Who Started It All” received the award in front of the largest crowd ever assembled for the final awards ceremony of the Wake Surf World Championship and inaugural event for the annual World Series of Wake Surf Awards. “We started it all and we’re still here today,” Page said, referring to Inland Surfer, his company which is an independent and sole manufacturer of wake surfing boards and accessories. Inland Surfer was the first company to bring wake surfspecific boards to the water-sports market in 2001. “We’re still here today because of our commitment to providing the best-built boards in design, materials and performance for use behind inboard boats,” Page says. In the last 12 years, Inland Surfer has successfully built a domestic and international distribution network, Inland Surfer boards are currently ridden in Asia, Europe, Canada, the US and South America. Page says the success of Inland Surfer is due in no small part to the people behind the brand. “We simply have the best customer service,
support and warranty available which has resulted in the largest dealer network and selection of boards, fins and accessories available – it’s the reason we’re number one.”

With over 40 years of water sports experience, Page, a shaper, designer and creator of Inland Surfer, is widely recognized as the pioneer of wake surfing. Page finds his motivation in constant innovation and dedication to making wake surfing a more widely accessible sport. “Innovation and continual R&D has led us to our largest line up ever,” says Page, “whether it’s your first time behind a boat or you’re competing in the world championships, we work hard to have a board for you and your family.” Page pushes to improve wake surfing as a sport by working with local riders, professional athletes, grassroots events, pro shops, boat dealers and education government organizations worldwide, including Inland Surfer’s membership with the Water Sports Industry Association.