Industry Pathway
Session 5
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 3:00 - 3:45 pm
The State of Boating: Trends, Opportunities and What Marine Businesses Can Do Next
With Brent Wierson
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The boating industry is changing, and dealers are navigating a shifting consumer landscape, new expectations, and evolving paths to boat ownership. But what do these changes actually mean for the dealership?
This session will take a closer look at the trends shaping boating today, from participation and consumer behavior to rentals, boat clubs, education, technology, inventory, and the changing path from first-time boater to boat owner.
More importantly, we'll focus on the how and the why behind the trends. What is keeping people from getting on the water? How can dealers make boating more accessible and less intimidating? Where can rentals, boat clubs, education, and on-the-water experiences create new opportunities to engage consumers? And can dealers think differently about inventory to create revenue before a boat is ultimately sold?
Drawing on industry data, consumer insights, and real-world examples, this session will move beyond the numbers to provide practical strategies dealers can evaluate and apply at their own businesses.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where the boating industry is headed and actionable ideas for getting more people on the water, creating new revenue opportunities, and building relationships that can lead to long-term customers and future boat owners.
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Identify key trends shaping boating participation, consumer behavior, and the path to boat ownership.
Explore how rentals, boat clubs, education, and technology can create new opportunities to engage consumers and grow revenue.
Apply practical strategies for getting more people on the water and building long-term customer relationships."
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Brent Wierson is the Vice President of Sales and Services for Storable’s Marine Division (Molo | Stellar), where he leads innovative software solutions for marinas and boat rental businesses. With over 15 years of industry experience, Brent founded White Sunrise Software and later launched Stellar Software, helping transform marina and rental operations through technology that simplifies workflows, increases revenue, and elevates customer experiences.
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