Electrification and hybrid propulsion
What electrification and hybrid propulsion means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
Dealer Week MRAA Conference & Expo is the premier event for marine dealers, focusing on education, networking, and industry insights.
Taking place from December 6-9, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center, this event brings together professionals from across North America to explore the latest trends and strategies in the marine retail sector.
Attendees will benefit from a variety of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to enhance their business operations and drive success.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Dealer Week MRAA Conference & Expo runs from December 6-9, 2026, at Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Florida.
- 2Scale and Focus: This premier event focuses on marine retail education and networking, attracting dealers from across North America.
- 3Organiser: Hosted by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, with registration available at dealerweek.com.
- 4Buyer Authority: Attendees include marine dealers, industry professionals, and decision-makers looking to enhance their business strategies.
- 5Entry / Access: Early bird registration discounts are available until December 5, 2026.
Why visit
Attending Dealer Week provides marine dealers with access to world-class education tailored to the industry's current challenges. Participants can engage with peers, learn from experts, and discover innovative solutions that can be implemented immediately. The event also offers networking opportunities that can lead to valuable partnerships and collaborations.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at Dealer Week positions your brand in front of key decision-makers in the marine retail industry. This event allows you to showcase your products and services to an engaged audience eager to learn about the latest offerings. With interactive sessions and a captive audience, exhibitors can maximize their visibility and generate quality leads.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Marine dealers seeking innovative solutions
Retail professionals looking for industry insights
Decision-makers in the boating sector
Sales and marketing teams from marine companies
Service and parts managers in the marine industry
Executives focused on dealership growth
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Marine product manufacturers
Service providers for marine dealerships
Technology solutions for the boating industry
Marketing agencies specializing in marine retail
Financial institutions offering marine financing
Training and education providers for dealers
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Boating equipment and accessories
Marine electronics and technology
Dealership management software
Sales and marketing tools for marine retailers
Service and parts solutions for boats
Training programs for marine professionals
Location & Facilities
Venue
Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, USA
Facilities
Parking
Tampa Convention Center in Tampa typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Tampa Convention Center in Tampa typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Tampa Convention Center for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Who runs the show
Organisers
MRAA (Marine Retailers Association of the Americas)
Organiser
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Tampa, USA
Why it matters
Attending Dealer Week provides marine dealers with access to world-class education tailored to the industry's current challenges. Participants can engage with peers, learn from experts, and discover innovative solutions that can be implemented immediately.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
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What connected helm and telematics means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Sustainable materials and refit
What sustainable materials and refit means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Experience-led watersports demand
What experience-led watersports demand means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Supply-chain regionalisation
What supply-chain regionalisation means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa East - Ybor City by IHG
midscale
Ybor City4.5
Highest rated of the captured Tampa options; listed with free cancellation and pool. Captured nightly price of about INR 13,681.
Holiday Inn Express Tampa-Brandon, an IHG Hotel
midscale
Brandon4.3
Free cancellation and pool; captured nightly price of about INR 11,849.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa-Anderson Rd/Veterans Exp by IHG
midscale
Anderson Road / Veterans Expressway4.3
Free cancellation and pool; captured nightly price of about INR 13,142.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa Stadium - Airport Area by IHG
midscale
Airport area / stadium district4.1
Free cancellation and pool; captured nightly price of about INR 15,663, the highest in the captured set.
Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore - Airport Area by IHG
midscale
Westshore airport area4.0
Free cancellation and hot tub; captured nightly price of about INR 12,603.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa - Usf-Busch Gardens by IHG
midscale
USF / Busch Gardens3.9
Free cancellation and pool; captured nightly price of about INR 12,279.
Holiday Inn Express Tampa N I-75 - University Area
budget
I-75 university area3.7
Lowest captured nightly price at about INR 9,563; free cancellation and pool.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
taxi / rideshare
Estimated costApprox. USD 25-35 one way
Best forTampa International Airport (TPA) to Tampa Convention Center
Roughly 15-20 minutes depending on traffic. Prefix approximate; confirm live fares and surge pricing on arrival.
public bus (HART)
Estimated costApprox. USD 2 per single local ride
Best forTPA airport to downtown Tampa (Marion Transit Center) then a short walk or local bus to the convention centre
Cheapest option but slower with luggage. Confirm current HART route, timings and fare before travel.
streetcar
Estimated costApprox. USD 0 (fare-free service)
Best forTECO Line Streetcar - Ybor City / Channel District to downtown Tampa
Useful for Ybor City and Channel District hotels; the downtown stops are a short walk from the convention centre. Confirm current service hours and frequency.
rideshare
Estimated costApprox. USD 12-20 one way
Best forWestshore / airport-area hotels to Tampa Convention Center
Short hop from the Westshore business district. Approximate; confirm live fares.
parking
Estimated costApprox. USD 10-25 per day
Best forTampa Convention Center garage and downtown Tampa garages
Event-day rates vary by garage and are set by the operator. Prefix approximate; confirm the current rate card at the gate or with your hotel.
walking
Estimated costApprox. USD 0
Best forDowntown and Water Street hotels to Tampa Convention Center via the Riverwalk
The waterfront Riverwalk connects the convention centre with downtown hotels and the Channel District; allow 10-20 minutes on foot.
Weather
Tampa in early December is mild and mostly dry: daytime highs typically in the low-to-mid 20s Celsius (low-to-mid 70s Fahrenheit) and overnight lows around 13-15 C (mid 50s to low 60s F). Short cold fronts can drop temperatures for a day or two, and the Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on 30 November, so organised storm disruption is unlikely though not impossible. Pack light layers for air-conditioned halls and a compact umbrella for the occasional shower.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or a local SIM for business visitors to the United States.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business dress in Tampa
Business casual is standard for Dealer Week - collared shirt, chinos or slacks, smart shoes. A light jacket or sweater helps in heavily air-conditioned convention halls, and evenings on the Riverwalk stay mild in December.
Tipping and payments
US tipping norms apply in Tampa: around 15-20 percent at restaurants and a dollar or two per drink at bars. Cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere, but keep a little cash for valet and tips.
Marine retail culture
Dealer Week is a relationship-driven marine industry gathering. Dealers typically book account meetings with OEMs and suppliers in advance and use the expo floor for model-year programme conversations rather than impulse buying.
Badges and trade-only etiquette
Expect badge checks at session rooms and the expo hall entrance. Suppliers should not approach dealer meetings without an appointment during peak floor hours, and dealer KPIs shared in sessions are treated as confidential peer benchmarks.
Local context
Tampa is a working port and Gulf Coast boating hub, with the Florida Aquarium, Channel District and Ybor City close to the convention centre. Ybor City is the historic cigar district and a common venue for evening hospitality.
Getting around downtown
Downtown Tampa and Water Street are walkable, the TECO Line Streetcar is fare-free and links Ybor City and the Channel District, and ride-hailing is widely used for Westshore and airport hotels.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Google Flights captures for 6 December 2026 departures show nonstop options of roughly 2.5 hours from Dallas DFW and Chicago ORD, about 3 hours from New York JFK, and 4.5 hours from Los Angeles LAX. Price insights on the captured searches flagged Dallas fares about $59 below the usual level and advised booking by late November for LAX and Chicago routes; fares and schedules should be rechecked before purchase.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Tampa; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Tampa Convention Center: Ybor City: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa East - Ybor City by IHG; Brandon: Holiday Inn Express Tampa-Brandon, an IHG Hotel; Anderson Road / Veterans Expressway: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa-Anderson Rd/Veterans Exp by IHG.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Tampa; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Public transport in Tampa is bus-led: HART runs local routes across Hillsborough County, including connections between Tampa International Airport and downtown, with an approximate local single fare of USD 2. For the convention centre, the most useful option is the fare-free TECO Line Streetcar, which links Ybor City, the Channel District and downtown Tampa, with stops a short walk from the Tampa Convention Center. Downtown and Water Street hotels are walkable via the Riverwalk. Ride-hailing and taxis cover Westshore, airport-area and Brandon hotels in roughly 10-25 minutes. Confirm current HART routes, streetcar hours and fares before travel.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Tampa Convention Center; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: December 2026
Temperature: Approx. 13-24 C (56-75 F) in early December, with daytime highs near 23-24 C (73-75 F) and overnight lows near 13-15 C (55-59 F). Short cold fronts can briefly push lows lower; confirm the forecast during the week before travel.
Seasonality: Early December falls in Tampa's drier season, with generally lower rainfall than the summer wet months and the Atlantic hurricane season ending on 30 November. Brief passing showers are still possible, so pack a compact umbrella and light layers. Humidity is usually comfortable for walking between downtown hotels and the convention centre.
Packing: Approx. 13-24 C (56-75 F) in early December, with daytime highs near 23-24 C (73-75 F) and overnight lows near 13-15 C (55-59 F). Short cold fronts can briefly push lows lower; confirm the forecast during the week before travel. Early December falls in Tampa's drier season, with generally lower rain
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Dealer Week MRAA Conference & Expo usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Day 14-12: Confirm every attendee is registered through dealerweek.com and check whether your MRAA membership unlocks a delegate rate.
T-2
Day 14-12: Book flights into Tampa International (TPA) and a downtown, Water Street, Westshore or Ybor City hotel for the show nights; early December fills quickly.
T-3
Day 11-10: Download the current schedule from dealerweek.com/schedule and assign each manager a session track (leadership, sales, fixed ops, F&I, marketing).
T-4
Day 10-9: Pull your dealership KPIs - F&I penetration, service absorption, aged inventory, CSI - into a one-pager for benchmarking.
T-5
Day 9-8: Build a target list of OEMs and suppliers to visit in the expo hall, and request meetings with account managers in advance.
T-6
Day 8-7: Arrange coverage at the store so sales and service managers can be away for the full run of sessions.
T-7
Day 7-6: Book airport transfer or confirm the rideshare plan; note that the fare-free TECO Line Streetcar covers downtown, the Channel District and Ybor City.
T-8
Day 6-5: Prepare questions on model-year allocation, floorplan terms and parts programme changes for your OEM meetings.
T-9
Day 5-4: Set up a shared note or spreadsheet for each attendee so session and booth findings land in one place.
T-10
Day 4-3: Confirm badge pickup arrangements and convention centre entry times; carry photo ID matching the registration name.
T-11
Day 3-2: Pack business casual with a light jacket, and check the Tampa forecast for a passing cold front.
T-12
Day 2-1: Share the session split and booth target list with the whole delegation and agree a daily debrief time.
T-13
After the show: hold a 60-minute internal review within one week, assign owners to supplier follow-ups, and circulate the KPI comparison against your benchmarks.
Day 1
Arrive early on the first morning to collect badges, walk the expo floor layout and set the debrief location.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Tampa Convention Center
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Dealer Week MRAA Conference & Expo registration concourse
Tampa Convention Center
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Tampa Convention Center
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$230.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$380.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Dealer Week MRAA Conference & Expo fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Dealer Week MRAA Conference & Expo, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You run or advise a dealership and your 2027 retail, service or financing plan needs vendor and MRAA input.
Best for
Marine dealers, boat yard operators and service managers who run retail or service businesses and want MRAA dealer-education sessions alongside the expo floor.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel from within the US.
Risks
Session times were not published in the captured sources, so confirm the agenda before booking travel.
exhibit
Your products target dealer showroom, service bay or marina operations rather than end consumers.
Best for
Marine equipment, engine, electronics, software and service suppliers selling to North American boat dealers.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for booth booking, freight and dealer-meeting scheduling.
Risks
Booth pricing was not visible in the captured sources; confirm with the organiser before committing budget.
skip
Your category or buyer base does not line up with North American boat dealers this edition.
Best for
Teams outside the marine retail and boating-service channel, or international suppliers without a North American dealer network.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Glossary
- Dealer Week
- The annual conference and expo organised by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) for boat dealers and their management teams, held at the Tampa Convention Center in December 2026. It combines dealer education with an expo floor of boat, engine and service suppliers.
- MRAA
- Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the trade body for North American boat dealers that hosts Dealer Week and publishes dealer-facing training and benchmarking resources.
- Dealer principal
- The owner or top executive of a boat dealership who carries P&L responsibility. At Dealer Week this group typically attends leadership and business-strategy sessions and takes part in OEM meetings on the expo floor.
- F&I (Finance and Insurance)
- The dealership department that arranges boat loans, extended service contracts, and marine insurance at point of sale. F&I penetration and per-unit profit are recurring topics in Dealer Week education.
- OEM
- Original Equipment Manufacturer, meaning the boat builder or engine maker whose products a dealer sells. At Dealer Week, OEMs use the expo hall for model-year programme briefings and dealer meetings.
- PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection)
- The checklist a dealership runs on a new boat before handover, covering rigging, systems checks and cosmetic condition. Service-process sessions at Dealer Week frequently reference PDI throughput as a margin lever.
- Rigging
- Installing and connecting engines, electronics, steering, and accessories on a boat hull. Rigging labour and quality control are core service-department cost drivers for dealers.
- Floorplan financing
- The inventory lending facility dealers use to stock boats and engines. Interest carry and ageing inventory are common finance topics for dealer principals and controllers attending the show.
- Service absorption
- The share of a dealership's total overhead covered by fixed-operations profit (service, parts, storage). It is a standard benchmark discussed in Dealer Week fixed-ops sessions.
- Repower
- Replacing an existing outboard or sterndrive engine on a used boat rather than selling a new unit. Repower work is a significant aftermarket revenue line for coastal and lake dealers.
- CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index)
- An OEM-run satisfaction score based on owner surveys after purchase and service visits. High CSI can affect a dealer's allocation of in-demand models.
- Dealer Week expo hall
- The supplier exhibition inside the event where boat builders, engine brands, parts distributors, dealer-management software vendors and F&I providers present programmes for the coming model year.
- Trade-only format
- Dealer Week is a business-to-business event for marine retail professionals, not a consumer boat show. Consumer-facing boat shows are separate events run by dealer associations and promoters.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Dealer Week 2026
- Marine Retailers Association
- Tampa boat show
- Dealer Week registration
- Dealer Week MRAA Conference & Expo 2026
- Dealer Week MRAA Conference & Expo Tampa 2026
- Dealer Week MRAA Conference 2026
- Dealer Week MRAA Conference Tampa 2026
- MRAA 2026
- MRAA Tampa
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.