Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/215679
Boating Industry AT THE HELM Saluting the industry's best JONATHAN SWEET jsweet@BoatingIndustry.com THERE'S PROBABLY NO BETTER SIGN of the industry's recovery than this year's Top 100 competition. Not only were applications up by more than 15 percent from 2012, the quality was through the roof. We were constantly wowed during the judging by the accomplishments of our industry. We've called out several stats about the Top 100 individually and as a group starting on p. 10. Even if you're not part of the Top 100, this offers you a great chance to benchmark your company and see how you match up with the best in the industry. You may notice a difference in this year's Top 100 list. As we told you in the spring, we've taken a hybrid approach to this year's list. The Top 20 are ranked No. 1 through No. 20, with the remaining 80 recognized as Top 100 dealers. For the second year in a row, we've recognized Legendary Marine as the Dealer of the Year. The Destin, Fla.-based dealership simply blew us away with how much they improved from year-to-year. Fred Pace and his team launched new programs, grew revenue and improved operations across the board. You can read more about Legendary starting on p. 20. We've also recognized seven companies as "Best in Class" for their success in specific aspects of the business from marketing to service to training. Finally, be sure to check out our Editors' Picks. These are companies, each chosen by a member of our editorial staff, that didn't make the Top 20, but still stood out to us as a dealership to watch. Be sure to keep an eye out for our Top 100 White Paper, coming in January, as well. In it, the Top 100 dealers will share some of the best practices that have made them so successful. Think you belong on this list? Then be sure to apply in 2014. The application will be available at BoatingIndustry.com in early January. Lastly, I want to make sure we thank the group of manufacturers, suppliers and service providers that support the Top 100 program. It's their dedication to supporting the best in the industry year after year that make it possible for us to recognize the Top 100 every year. The Leadership Alliance – GE Capital Distribution Finance, Volvo Penta, Manheim Specialty Auctions and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas – support the program and the best dealers in North America throughout the year. Boating Industry magazine and the 6 | Boating Industry | December 2013 P06-BI13DEC-AtTheHelm.indd 6 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Jonathan Sweet (jsweet@boatingindustry.com) SENIOR EDITOR: Tom Kaiser (tkaiser@boatingindustry.com) MANAGING EDITOR: Liz Keener (lkeener@boatingindustry.com) ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR: Christopher Gerber (cgerber@boatingindustry.com) SENIOR ART DIRECTOR: Dodi Vessels PRODUCTION ARTIST: Kelsey Houle (khoule@epgmediallc.com) PRODUCTION MANAGER: Angela Schmieg VICE PRESIDENT/MARINE, POWERSPORTS, BEVERAGE: Amy Collins NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR: Kathy Johnson 480-988-3658 (kathyjohnson@boatingindustry.com) SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER, EAST: Chris Pelikan 954-964-8676 (cpelikan@epgmediallc.com) SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER, WEST: Wiley Poole (wpoole@epgmediallc.com) PRODUCTION SPECIALIST: Cherri Perschmann DIRECTOR OF MARKETING: Kat Knudson GROUP SENIOR SALES SPECIALIST: Bernadette Wohlman CEO: Mark Adams SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: Gerald Winkel SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT: Joanne Juda VICE PRESIDENT/OPERATIONS: Barb Hammer BOATING INDUSTRY (ISSN #1543-4400) is published nine times per year – January, February, March, April, May, June/July, August/September, October/November and December – by EPG Media, LLC, 3300 Fernbrook Lane N #200, Plymouth, MN 55447. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: Free to qualified members of the boating industry. Annual subscription rate is $99 per year for U.S., Mexican and Canadian residents and $149 for residents in other countries. All paid subscriptions must be paid in advance and in U.S. funds only. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Boating Industry, P.O. Box 5858, Harlan, IA 51593-1358. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Visit www.BoatingIndustry.com, call 866-2383237, email boatingindustry@cdsfulfillment.com or write to Boating Industry, P.O. Box 5858, Harlan, IA 51593-1358. EDITORIAL: All manuscripts, materials, photographs and artwork submitted are at mailer's risk and must include self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage for return. No responsibility will be assumed for unsolicited materials. Boating Industry is a registered trademark of EPG Media, LLC. © 2013 by EPG Media, LLC. All rights reserved. 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