Roch Lambert

Group President, Rec Boat Holdings, LLC

Roch Lambert is the Group President for Rec Boat Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Platinum Equity Affiliates’ PBH Marine Group, LLC. He was appointed in May, 2010 and is in charge of the Four Winns, Glastron and Wellcraft boat brands. Platinum Equity acquired the boat brands out of bankruptcy last year, along with the fishing boat brands, Ranger, Stratos, and Champion.

Prior to his current position, Lambert was with Quebec-based BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) holding numerous management positions from 1994 – 2009. His most recent position being vice president and general manager of the Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo and Evinrude division of BRP US, Inc. (formerly Bombardier Inc.). He also had served as vice president and general manager of BRP’s Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines division rebuilding the brands from the OMC bankruptcy of 2000. In both capacities, Mr. Lambert demonstrated an ability to build and grow strong businesses, successful restructuring initiatives and operational turnarounds.

Prior to Bombardier, Lambert worked in engineering and then management of operations and general management for a Canadian company.

Lambert graduated from Polytechnic School of Montreal with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1986. He also has a graduate business degree from Laval University in Quebec.

Ian Bruce

Montreal Classic Boatworks

Ian Bruce, an Industrial Designer and two-time Olympian on the Canadian sailing team, will be joining us to explain why he is putting an electric engine on the back of his newest boat. Ian received the Order of Canada in 2009 in recognition of his service to sailing, both in Canada and internationally, and in particular for his involvement in the design and development of high-performance boats for young sailors. Perhaps the best known of these was the Laser dinghy which became a worldwide phenomenon.
The Bruce 22, a new - but retro-styled boat modeled on a friend’s 1940 mahogany runabout - designed and built by his company Montreal Classic Boatworks, will soon host an electric motor.

After having built over 100,000 sailboats in his career, Ian has decided to concentrate on the power boat. The foray into electrics had its genesis about 10 years ago when he designed (but did not build) a 15 ft. period electric launch for a friend. He was struck by the fact that, while it was great to sit with a glass of wine on a twilight cruise along the shore line and wave to friends around the corner, it was pretty frustrating if you wanted to cross the lake or visit friends at the other end of the lake if it was going to take two hours there and back if they lived 4 miles away!

Then, more recently, numerous lakes have banned fossil fuelled power boats. While he has total sympathy for the reasons for the ban – not the least of which is someone water skiing at 7 in the morning when it’s nice and calm but you are still asleep -  he can’t imagine it’s much fun owning a lovely cottage on the lake, with a dock, but no boat tied to it. The electric motor may be the cure for this problem. Ian and his friends are water skiing behind the Bruce 22 Electric with single slalom ski! The noise of the water rushing by gets a bit annoying!

Come to the Boating Ontario Conference to hear why Ian Bruce thinks electric motors are worth the time and investment.

Fred Gingl

CEO of BionX International Corporation

Fred Gingl, a former President, CEO and Vice Chairman with auto parts giant Magna International, decided to relinquish his senior Magna roles to become Founder and President of Magna Marque International Inc., a new product group focused on alternative mobility products. Throughout his 44 year career with Magna, Mr. Gingl, who is known as the architect of many Magna technologies, has always been a true visionary.

Mr. Gingl and his business partner, Mr. Dubé, combined their experience, resources and entrepreneurial spirit to create BionX products and services that are being highly valued by consumers, distribution partners and renowned bicycle manufacturers such as Diamant, KTM, Matra and Trek.

In the fall of 2011, BionX will be launching the SeaScape12, a small boat that offers you the choice between powering yourself or being assisted by a silent, powerful and environmentally friendly electric propulsion system.

Join Mr. Gingl as he talks about the future of electric propulsion systems for the recreational marine industry.

John D. Mlinarcik

You Had Me at Hello… Now Why Didn’t I Show?

Converting leads into appointments that show and buy.

Are you like 98% of all dealerships in North America that can’t afford to let even one lead slip away… yet it happens on an almost daily basis? Learn to identify the REAL value of the inbound phone call, take a look at what your successful competitors are doing, and preview the industry’s most innovative tracking and measurement technology. Dr. John will describe ways to track, measure and reinforce the fundamental sales behaviours and skills.

You will learn the Seven-Step^© process that eliminates objections while qualifying customers, gathering contact information, and setting appointments willingly (politely) and increasing sales. Experience the time tested words and phrases – “Roadmap” - that triples the appointment “set-kept-sold” ratios. Learn about the Save-A-Deal feature that will increase your phone handlers’ accountability and YOUR revenues… Immediately! And finally, apply the elements of performance management to enhance your sales team’s phone handling skills through a virtual CallCoaching method.

Dr. John has been selected to deliver national key-note workshops at eight NADA international conventions and four NADA webinars, two RVDA conventions and the AAISP international conference. He is a frequent speaker at automotive, marine, RV & farm implement 20 Groups throughout North America. Jeff Wilcox of George’s Marine and Sports has already implemented the practices taught in this seminar. He will be available to field your questions about the benefits from his experience.

As the founder & CEO of PCS-Global, a 34-year change management, organizational consulting, out-sourcing and life coaching firm, John Mlinarcik, PhD; MA; MS; LMSW, is about helping people change.

He has logged over 100,000 hours managing individual, couple and group resistance to planned change - from both a psychological and business entrepreneur’s perspective. His company focuses on life coaching, confidential consultations, business-improvement consulting with phone & internet out-sourcing, organizational-alignment and performance-enhancement with individuals & teams.

For three years he served as the Chief Strategy Officer of CallSource, the founding company of the digitally recorded call tracking services. He served for two years as the charter Vice President of Polk Professional Services - a national, in-dealership training & consulting division of R.L. Polk & Co. Polk is a 135-year-old international transportation intelligence company. Dr. Mlinarcik is the former COO of The Nickelsen Group, the premiere automotive dealership consulting company and business partner with 138-year old Reynolds & Reynolds. Following this position, he was the Senior Director of Reynolds Consulting.

Dr. John conducts specialized presentations & workshops in personal growth and change management throughout North America.  He has authored, lectured and consulted on the changing landscape of the retail automotive industry and has advised organizations on how to retain customers and prepare employees to embrace change through CRM initiatives, customized training, management development and confidential consultations.

Peer-to-Peer Workshops

(each delegate will choose 2 workshops on Monday and 2 of Tuesday)

Maximizing Dollars Per Slip

Discover creative ideas to maximize the amount of money your marina could earn per slip. This session will focus on practical ways to increase your revenue stream – for example through bundled rates or metered electricity. Debate which works better in your area – set slip rates or boat length rates. Learn ways to up-sell by adding winter projects, Boater Assist sales, or other innovative ways to increase your yearly slip income.

The Environment and your Business

It is time to stop thinking that environmental practices cost too much money and time! Find out how implementing environmentally sound practices can save your company money, create a sustainable business and make your customers happy. This workshop will give you practical ideas to take home and implement immediately. For example, create a charity fundraising event through a recycling program or obtain free media attention through proactive environmental events.

Market Growth

The focus over the last few years of recession has been to sustain market share, it is now time to discuss market growth! This workshop will take an all-encompassing approach to the definition of “Market Growth” by discussing growing the recreational boating industry, the sales of new and used boats, slips and service, as well as supplies and equipment.

Getting Boaters Off Your Dock

Do you ever feel like your customers use their boats as a floating cottage rather than a boat? Hear how other business are encouraging and empowering their boaters to get off the dock and actually go boating! Discover creative ideas: on-water events such as rendezvous, floatillas, BBQs, scavenger hunts; passports with coupons from local restaurants and business; boating lessons and travel itineraries, etc!

Keeping Customers Engaged Year Round

The boating season may be short but your marketing efforts should continue all year long! Engagement, interest and constant connection will keep customers coming back. Use a company newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter account to share news stories and videos on related/relevant topics or to update customers on what you're doing to get ready for the next season. Run contests (trivia, etc.) for gift certificates, or solicit ideas for events or customer service. Content that's relevant will keep customers engaged all year long and build loyalty. Make sure your customers know if you are involved in any boat shows throughout the winter – send them free tickets or invite them to your booth to receive a gift. Join this session with your peers to come up with some really creative ideas!

TSSA, Fuel Handling, Propane Licenses

Do you sometimes feel like running your business is like running a 100 meter hurdle race? It seems like regulations and laws are making it harder to run your business smoothly and profitably. This session will help you understand the regulations and laws that are applicable to our industry and your business. Often, the first step to jumping these “hurdles” is to be aware of them and then the next step is to discuss with your peers how they handle them. Government representatives will be on hand to answer questions you may have during this session.

Winter Works

Did you look at this title and say: “I already work all winter! I strategize, develop marketing plans, order products, do maintenance work and lay the foundation for when things get crazy.” Well, this session is about winter works that make money! Join this workshop to discuss new and creative ways to earn money throughout the off-season as well as retain key full-time employees.

Attracting, Training & Retaining Employees

Finding ways to attract and keep employees can be a challenge for any business, especially a seasonal business. Creating attractive job offers, interviewing for attitude, selecting the best employees, encouraging training and certification, and retaining knowledgeable staff will affect the bottom line of any business and may make the difference between a good business and a great business! Terry Pringle, from Champion Resources, will lead this workshop with practical tools and tips to help any business succeed with their staffing issues.

Are you ready for the new rules on importing boats & engines into Canada?

IF YOU IMPORT BOATS AND ENGINES INTO CANADA, YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS CHANGED THE REGULATIONS CONCERNING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES BEING IMPORTED INTO CANADA. The new rules come into effect on January 1, 2012. All engines being imported will require an importation declaration form be sent to Environment Canada in advance of the importation taking place. Included are all marine engines as well as recreational vehicles. ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?? To ensure you are compliant with the requirements, please attend Environment Canada’s information session organized in partnership with the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Boating Ontario to find out what is required of dealers who import engines.