Getting smart with smart phones

Last week we talked about the amazing sales lead follow-up capabilities of smart phones for use during boat show season and in fact, throughout the year.

On the other hand, standing in the booth staring at a smart phone is a great way to avoid having to interact with the strangers who come by the booth and unfortunately, I've seen huge numbers of booth staff, sometimes with other staff members, all standing shoulder to shoulder and staring at their smart phones instead of talking to sales prospects.

Most people are polite and respectful and if they see that your salesperson is engaged with their smart phone, they'll walk past.

Given what your company is spending to attend the boat show, put on the display and have those staff members in the booth, you need them to be effective the whole time they are there and then afterwards to follow up with sales prospects.

The follow-up might be simple; a brief thank you for visiting your booth, or perhaps just inviting them to phone for more information. Frankly, anything to keep the conversation going has value.

This boat show season, don't let your people spend the day checking their stock portfolio, texting their kids or playing Pac-Man. A smart phone is a powerful tool - you just have to use it properly.

Finally, if you are attending the Toronto International Boat Show, we invite you to join us for the NMMA Canada Industry Breakfast sponsored by Wells Fargo and Boating Industry Canada magazine. See you at the shows!

Andy Adams,
Editor @BoatIndCan

Happy Holidays

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS

From all of us at Canadian Yachting and Boating Industry Canada magazines, we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2017.

News

PASSING OF A MEMBER OF OUR BOATING COMMUNITY - ERIC STOVOLD

On behalf of Boating Ontario, we are saddened to announce that yesterday our boating community mourned the loss of Eric Stovold, Father to Jeff, Grandfather to Ryan. Eric peacefully passed away at home with his family in his 88th year. READ MORE

UPDATES FROM THE TRENT-SEVERN WATERWAY

The Government of Canada has announced more than $600 million of work on infrastructure across the Trent-Severn Waterway and its reservoir lakes. As a part of this historic re-investment, major work has been proposed to rehabilitate the Coboconk Dam. READ MORE

Shows

CANADIAN RECREATIONAL BOATING INDUSTRY BREAKFAST

You are cordially invited to attend the Canadian Recreational Boating Industry Breakfast. Highlights: Welcome by Andy Adams, Boating Industry Canada Magazine. NMMA Canada Annual General Meeting with Tom MacNair, Chair, NMMA Canada Board of Directors. NMMA Canada Industry Update & Release of New Economic... READ MORE

ATLANTIC MARINE TRADES ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH BOATDEALERS.CA, WHO WILL PROVIDE 'BOAT FINDER' TOOL AT THE 2017 HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

The Atlantic Marine Trades Association (AMTA) announced today that they will be partnering with BoatDealers.ca for The 2017 Halifax International Boat Show (HIBS). BoatDealers.ca will be providing HIBS with their online Boat Finder tool. READ MORE

SOUTHERN ALBERTA'S BIGGEST BOAT & OUTDOOR SHOW COMING TO THE BMO CENTRE

The 2017 Calgary Boat and Sportsmen's Show returns to the BMO Centre, Stampede Park February 9-12th, 2017. "The Calgary Boat and Sportsmen's Show is a much anticipated event among Southern Alberta outdoor enthusiasts," says Pamela Ziwani, Show Manager... READ MORE

NEW BRANDS AND NEW MODEL DEBUTS AT SEATTLE BOAT SHOW

As the largest show on the West Coast and the third largest in the U.S., the Seattle Boat Show is a not-to-be-missed show for manufacturers and dealers, and very often the place where they choose to debut their new models. The 70th annual show, opening on Friday Jan. 27, 2017 running through... READ MORE

Awards

VOLVO PENTA'S SUSAN BONIVICH NAMED DARLENE BRIGGS WOMAN OF THE YEAR FOR 2016

Susan Bonivich, OEM/dealer sales manager for Volvo Penta of the Americas, was named the 2016 Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo today in Orlando, Fla. She is the second woman in the company to earn the distinction within the past 10 years. READ MORE

MARINE MARKETERS OF AMERICA NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR 2016 NEPTUNE AWARDS

Marine Marketers of America (MMA) is accepting entries now through Jan. 11, 2017, for the 2016 Neptune Awards, recognizing excellence in the marine marketing field. The annual competition is open to any company or organization producing and publishing marine industry marketing materials between... READ MORE

CHRIS-CRAFT DEALER NAMED DEALER OF THE YEAR

Chris-Craft would like to congratulate Chris-Craft dealer, OneWater Marine, for being named 2016 Dealer of the Year by Boating Industry. Boating Industry announced the 2016 Top 100 dealers at a black tie gala December 8th in Orlando, Florida. The Top 100 ranks dealers in... READ MORE

Calendar

Check out all of the upcoming events in your Boating Industry

Vancouver International Boat Show January 18 - 22, 2017 BC Place - 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina - 1676 Duranleau Street, Vancouver	Toronto International Boat Show January 20 - 29, 2017 Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place 100 Princes' Blvd. Toronto, ON
Halifax International Boat Show February 9 - 12, 2017 Halifax Exhibition Centre, 200 Prospect Rd., Halifax, NS	... View All Events