Laurel Marina Named to Boating Industry magazine's Top 100
The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo in Orlando, Fla., recognized the 2011 Top 100 dealers in the marine industry in all of North America as determined by Boating Industry magazine. Of the 100 dealers acknowledged, Laurel Marina was one of only two marina/dealer named to the Top 100 in the State of Tennessee.
The award recognizes marine dealers for superior overall business operations, customer service, marketing and professionalism. More than 3000 nominations were made for the top 100 spots.
"We have made tremendous efforts during the course of a tough year to improve our business and achieve this recognition," said Owner and General Manager Dale Thomas. "When you look at the best-of-the-best in the U.S. and Canada, I am honored to have such a wonderful team at Laurel Marina."
Collectively, the 2011 Boating Industry Top 100 dealers employ nearly 3,900 people and operates 244 retail locations across North America.
Laurel Marina Dealership Achieves Special Certification
Laurel Marina has also achieved Brunswick Five Star Dealer and has been named a Brunswick Master Dealer for 2012. The Brunswick Five Star Dealer must meet a variety of exclusive Brunswick developed dealer requirements plus all Marine Five Star Dealer Certification industry standards. The new program offers tools, guidance and certification on major areas like customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, employee training, facility appearance, sales, service and parts processes, market planning, performance tracking and much more. It's an ongoing process with updated standards and re-certification each year.
The Brunswick Master Dealer program takes certification to a whole new level with best practices and in-depth processes for every facet of the dealer's business. The certification team reviews and guides the dealer on how to improve or create everything from a long-range business plan, customer service index plans by department and service quality checks to marketing planning, gain/loss budgets, a CPA audit, effective weekly management meetings, plus various other business activities.
Thomas re-elected to Tennessee Marina Association Board of Directors for 2011
Dale Thomas, owner and general manager of Laurel Marina & Yacht Club and Laurel Marina Dealership has been re-elected to the 2011 Board of Directors for the Tennessee Marina Association (TMA). He previously served as president of the TMA in 2000-2001. Thomas has been involved with the marina industry since purchasing Laurel Marina & Yacht Club in 1976.
The Tennessee Marina Association is a state association that works with sportsmen, boating and tourism organizations and with public, state and national organizations for the betterment of recreational boating. As a spokesman for the marina industry in Tennessee, TMA not only provides a strong voice for marina issues, but also provides and maintains an open line of communication between it's membership and federal and state organizations in an effort to work together on issues of mutual interest.