Happy New Year!

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January 2022

Here's Wishing You and Yours a Healthy and Happy New Year!

All of us hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a very happy holiday season! And now here we are in 2022 ... looking forward to a great year ahead!
Over the next several months, we'll be sharing some exciting news pertaining to facilities improvements and upgrades. We are continually focused on improving the customer experience and in meeting and exceeding your expectations.
Our marketing team is well underway in planning events as we move into the boating season. Be on the lookout soon for our 2022 calendar of events including boating safety classes, seminars in the showroom, women's events, firework raft ups, boat shows and more. We hope that as we cruise into the season that the COVID concerns will be reduced as we all look forward to reconnecting with our ECM family. Of course all health and safety precautions will be considered and in place as we finalize plans.
As you will read elsewhere in this newsletter, we are also pleased to launch a new brand to the NW Gulf Coast ... scroll down for details as this is sure to be a BIG HIT in our market.
We're all hoping the weather will warm up so we can see you soon ... and can get out there to enjoy the pristine waterways we are so lucky to call home!

Emerald Coast Marine Takes Home Top Honors
"National Boating Industry Safety Awards"

Emerald Coast Marine was one of six marine industry organizations recently recognized by the Sea Tow Foundation for its exceptional boating safety campaigns and initiatives in 2021. The dealership won the prestigious “National Boating Industry Safety Award” for the ‘Retailer with One to Three Locations” category, presented at the Marine Retailers Association of America’s national conference in Austin, TX.

“The Emerald Coast Marine Group scored the highest overall points in this year’s competition,” said Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director Gail R. Kulp. “Emerald Coast Marine created an integrated campaign including an extensive social media initiative featuring a mix of online boating education resources, along with a new series of boating safety videos produced internally that show it is possible to accomplish a lot with limited resources. In addition, the dealership underwrites the cost and promotes in-person boating safety classes in partnership with the USCG Auxiliary, along with promoting boating safety in its monthly newsletter. They also promoted National Boating Safety Week with a custom video featuring every member of the dealership team wearing life jackets.”

Added GM Shawn Talpey of SHM - ECM, “Our entire team is very honored to have received this distinguished award for our boating safety efforts. Our team has always placed a strong emphasis on boating safety, and we invest in boater education to keep our boaters safe and confident while operating on the waterways.”

Ongoing boating safety programs are slated for 2022 including seven months of seasonal boating safety training programs with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary; a dedicated on-site boating safety event including vessel checks with the auxiliary in March; ladies boating events/classes; plus a continued push for boating safety via live seminars, social media and video messaging.

“Boating safety isn’t really something we do … it is part of our culture,” said Talpey. “We look for every opportunity to educate and promote boating safety through all of our customer and outreach initiatives.”

WE HAVE RED HOT 2022 INVENTORY
NOW AVAILABLE!

ECM is receiving new 2022 boat models daily from many of the top brands in the boating business!
Business is brisk ... so stop in to check out the latest arrivals and learn about what's en route soon!
In addition, ask about our WIN WIN Buyers Program where you can design the boat of your dreams... at the absolute best savings possible!
Contact your ECM marine consultant for more details on available inventory or the WIN-WIN BUYERS Program!

Video intro by Sales Manager Jeff Henley on how the WIN WIN program works!

EXCITING NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH AT
EMERALD COAST MARINE!

If you have been considering a PONTOON, we're excited to share that Emerald Coast Marine is now adding the awesome new MONACO line by Godfrey to our offering of top national brands! Cruise by the dealership to learn more or call to speak to our marine consultants for more information!

Looking to Sell Your Boat?
Contact our Team for Details! We Have Buyers Waiting!

Congratulations to NEIL RENTZ
January 2022 Employee of the Month!

From the Fairways to the Wakes …

ECM Warranty Advisor Neil Rentz swung from a successful, 13-year career as a golf professional at some of the top courses in the nation to driving an exciting new career opportunity in the marine industry in June, 2021. Many of you may have met and worked with Neil as his role as warranty advisor includes handling warranty claims for customers and working with ECM vendors.

“Six years ago, my family and I moved to Florida and decided to become active boaters,” he said. “In that time, we purchased and stored two boats at Emerald Coast Marine. Every single employee we met during the process was so nice and welcoming that we fell in love with the place. We stored our boats here for four years with zero complaints.”

When he and his family have free time to spare, their favorite getaway is on the local waterways. His wife, Mary Alice Rentz, is a veterinarian at Banfield Hospital in Destin. The Rentz’s were thrilled to welcome a new baby girl to the world 10-months ago and are enjoying introducing daughter Ellie to the joys of life on the Emerald Coast.

Neil was nominated by fellow peers who cited his relentless passion and tenacity for the work he performs, as well as his strong work ethic in going above and beyond to get the job done.

“I am very fortunate to work with such amazing individuals and share this award with each and every one of them,” he said. “I can’t be successful without the people that surround me.”

We hope you'll join us in congratulating Neil for this outstanding recognition!

Rotary Christmas Boat Parade Was A Blast!

Emerald Coast Marine was proud to serve as the official title sponsor of the 2021 Niceville ValP Rotary Christmas Parade. This year's event was headquartered on the water at our Niceville facility and drew 22 boats, all of which were decorated to the nines, in keeping with the holiday spirit!
Check out our fun video clip produced by our own Ed Vinson, highlighting the parade events and winner announcements.
Next year, we hope you'll participate and join us for all the festivities!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ewh-wE6ymQ

Enjoy Awesome Waterfront Dining at The Locals

Looking for a great meal with the best view in town? Stop by and enjoy the best of waterfront dining at The Locals Eatery, right here at Emerald Coast Marine!

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH!