Facing the Next Wave: How Dealer Action Protects Access and Your Bottom Line

Presented by Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) and Marine Retailers Association (MRAA)

Recreational boating activities, including wake surfing, are facing scrutiny across the country, with proposed regulations threatening to restrict access to waterways and limit where and how your customers can enjoy their time on the water. Facing the Next Wave: How Dealer Action Protects Access and Your Bottom Line will dive into the rise of local and state-level efforts to regulate wake sports, and why marine retailers must be part of the solution. This session will highlight hot spots for restrictions on boating access, how these restrictions can directly impact your business — from boat sales to service revenue — and show how dealer-led advocacy is essential to preserving waterway access and protecting the recreational boating lifestyle. Join MRAA and WSIA in this joint session to learn how you can get engaged and how your voice can make a difference before the next wave of regulations hits.

About Dealer Week 2025 Advocacy Session

The WSIA serves as the nation’s leading advocate for the towed water sports industry, developing best practices, maintaining waterway access rights, promoting safety and driving sustainable growth. The Association’s Wake Responsibly campaign educates boaters across the country on safe, respectful boating practices. MRAA, which believes the strength of the marine industry begins and ends with the success of dealerships, is hosting the session as part of its annual Dealer Week Conference & Expo to highlight its partnership with WSIA on this important issue.

Furthermore, this focused session will not only raise awareness but also equip dealers with tools to defend their business and customers from restrictive policies.

“I am motivated by this new session and partnership with the WSIA as dealer engagement on this issue is crucial to ensuring access for your customers,” said Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager. “If you sell wake boats, wake surfing is big in your area or you simply want to learn how the MRAA works with the WSIA to protect boating access, I encourage you to come to Dealer Week and attend this important session!”

MRAA Advocacy Efforts

The MRAA advocacy team is on the front lines of state and local policy discussions and works closely with WSIA to protect boating rights. Towed water sports have been under greater scrutiny in recent years with the rise in popularity of wake surfing — similar to scrutiny over personal watercraft in the early 2000s.

“As the industry continues to address threats to boating access around the country, I am thrilled to join WSIA at Dealer Week to inform and educate dealers on what the industry is doing to protect their bottom line and how their involvement is a critical part of those efforts,” said Mike Sayre, MRAA Director of Government Relations. “Whether it is a local association threatening a ban on a single lake or a statewide proposal to drastically restrict wake surfing, we need members to be our grassroots champions.”

WSIA Advocacy Efforts

WSIA has been closely monitoring these discussions in states around the nation while advocating on behalf of boat dealers and their customers.

“Dealers have a critical role to play in both protecting boating rights and in educating consumers on responsible boating practices,” said Lee Gatts, Vice President of Government Relations for WSIA. “This session will help arm dealers with the tools they need to serve as effective grassroots advocates in their own communities. Our advocacy efforts are most effective when the entire recreational boating community speaks with a unified voice, message and strategy. I’m grateful to MRAA for the invitation to be part of this important discussion.”