International bestselling author Jay Samit is a dynamic entrepreneur and speaker who is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on disruption and innovation.  Chairman of a transformative Artificial Intelligence company, Samit was once described by Wired magazine as “having the coolest job in the industry.”  

He is the former Vice Chairman of Deloitte Digital and a NASDAQ company CEO who helped grow pre-IPO companies such as LinkedIn. Samit has also held senior management roles at EMI, Sony and Universal Studios, and pioneered breakthrough advancements in mobile video, internet advertising, ecommerce, social networks, digital music and augmented reality that are used by millions of consumers every day.  He can accurately predict the future because he is working with those who create it.

Samit gets people passionate about innovation, overcoming obstacles, and teaches them how to think bigger. Designed to be as entertaining and inspiring as it is informative, Samit delivers a speech that stays with the audience long after the conference has ended.

CLICK HERE to view a video of Jay Samit speaking about his upcoming keynote address.

This session explores how dealers can build a digital bridge between their website and the in-store parts purchase experience, creating a seamless journey from initial research to final purchase. Attendees will gain insights into strategies for integrating digital catalog solutions, streamlining parts management, and implementing eCommerce capabilities to meet customer expectations. This session provides actionable steps to help dealers stay competitive in an increasingly digital world.

Morgan Stanley (Stanek-Haak) will share strategies for wealth enhancement, wealth protection, wealth transfer, and charitable giving. This presentation shares strategies for transferring wealth for powersports dealers, including tips from Performance Brokerage Services on buy and sell strategies for dealers seeking to acquire a new store or sell a current one.

We are excited to welcome back Jack Ellis of Info-Link and Rob Grant of Lightspeed DMS for a session featuring their proprietary recreational boating market data. They not only have the numbers, but they can also tell you the conclusions, takeaways, trends and stories behind the metrics.

The thin line between technology and people. This seminar will discuss the importance of your people and technologies, such as AI, and how a good balance helps dealers maximize their business - as well as the pitfalls and problems - by tilting the scales of these key factors.

We are communicating more these days, and also more poorly, as David Gee, professional keynote speaker and former editor-in-chief of Boating Industry will tell us in this interesting and informative session. And when you have excess inventory, rising costs, staffing issues, and other assorted headwinds, every interaction counts, with employees, prospects and customers. You’ll leave with tips, takeaways and new tools you can use right away to enhance listening and storytelling skills that boost productivity, employee morale, customer satisfaction, and sales!

Securing qualified industry professionals and identifying tomorrow’s rising stars is no easy feat in the current hiring climate. With countless pitfalls that can derail the process, success demands a deliberate, strategic approach.

Drawing on her 35 years of powersports experience, Jan Plessner will show you how to set the stage for recruitment success. This presentation will cover topics like reaching and attracting high performers, streamlining the process, productive interviews, creating an irresistible offer, and ensuring the right fit.

The often-overlooked distinctions can make or break your hiring efforts. Avoid costly hiring missteps that lead to excessive turnover by hearing from this professional industry recruiter who has spent the past 11 years mastering the art of talent acquisition.

So many parts of the sales process are changing – from marketing and communication to payments and product delivery. Our expert in sales and the power equipment marketplace explains how to thrive in the change.

For the first time ever, we will be featuring a representative from the boating industry, outdoor power equipment and powersports, to talk about successes, best practices and how we can all be stronger together. 

Entertaining and economist aren't often used in the same sentence, but Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D., an internationally acclaimed economist and public speaker, specializes in making the arcana and minutia of economics fun, relevant, and educational. Dr. Eisenberg is the Chief Economist for GraphsandLaughs, LLC, a Miami-based economic consulting firm that serves a variety of clients across the United States.

He is a frequent speaker on topics including economic forecasts, interest rates, inflation, supply chains, strategic business development, and other current economic issues. He has a B.A. in economics with first-class honors from McGill University in Montreal, as well as a Master's and Ph.D. from Syracuse University.

Eisenberg, a former Senior Economist with the National Association of Home Builders in Washington, D.C., is the creator of the multifamily stock index (the first nationally recognized index to track the total return of public firms principally involved in the ownership and management of apartments), the author of more than 85 articles, and is a regular consultant to professional associations and investment advisory groups. He has spoken to thousands of business groups and associations, and authors a daily commentary on the economy that is delivered to more than 30,000 inboxes.

You won’t want to miss this dynamic session presented by top women executives representing different segments of the power trades! 

Journalist, award-winning marketer and moderator Wanda Kenton Smith of Kenton Smith Marketing returns for the fourth year to lead our power-packed women’s panel featuring Hubbard Powersports GM and Partner Montana Bolin; National Marine Distributors Association (NMDA) and the Outdoor Power Equipment and Engine Service Association (OPEESA) Executive Director Nancy Cueroni; and Digital Throttle Marine Group President and Motorsports Sales Director Captain Vicki Norman.

Be prepared for a lively, fast-paced and forward-facing session featuring timely and relevant topics, expert insights and proven tactics you can apply to your career and business…and take to the bank.

Learn from – and interact with – some of the best dealers in the nation as they detail how they are dealing with all of the challenges and opportunities of the recreational boating industry. Moderated by Boating Industry editor in chief Adam Quandt.

Invited guests only. Reception and awards presentation located at Big Chill, approximately 4 blocks west of the Charlotte Sheraton at 911 E Morehead St #100.

Last, but certainly not least, Boating Industry announces its 2024 Top 100 winners at our annual black-tie gala. This event recognizes those in the marine industry who are unsurpassed in business operations, professionalism, marketing tactics, customer service and more.

The Boating Industry Top 100 has recognized the top performers in North America every year since 2005. This invitation-only event requires RSVP. Full information provided with official invite.