Industry Education & Partner Event |
The fundamentals of a successful marine business have not disappeared. But the environment around them is changing quickly.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how customers research and make decisions. Expectations for speed, communication, and service continue to rise. And marine businesses are being asked to operate more efficiently while protecting margins and building stronger customer relationships.
Those challenges are at the center of Dealer Week Conference & Expo 2026, and YBAA is pleased to support this year's event as part of our commitment to education and collaboration across the recreational marine industry.
The New Fundamentals
This year's theme, The New Fundamentals, focuses on three forces reshaping marine retail: AI adoption, rising customer expectations, and operational efficiency.
Dealer Week is built around practical education that attendees can bring back and put to work in their businesses. The program includes four dedicated pathways:
- Leadership — strengthening financial performance, decision-making, and high-performing teams.
- Sales & Marketing — reaching today's boat buyers, managing inventory, maintaining margins, and adapting to changing customer behavior.
- Service & Parts — improving operations, profitability, customer loyalty, and long-term business stability.
- Industry & Partner — connecting marine businesses with solution providers and experts addressing the industry's emerging challenges.
Peer Roundtable Discussions will also give attendees an opportunity to learn directly from other marine professionals facing many of the same challenges.
Why It Matters for Yacht Sales Professionals
The issues being addressed at Dealer Week extend well beyond the traditional dealership.
AI and changing buyer behavior are already influencing how customers research boats and engage with marine businesses. At the same time, customer experience, leadership, sales processes, and operational efficiency all play a role in creating stronger businesses and better outcomes for clients.
Dealer Week offers yacht sales professionals an opportunity to learn how others across the marine industry are responding to these changes — and to build relationships with dealers, marinas, service providers, manufacturers, and other industry partners.
Register for Dealer Week 2026
Dealer Week takes place December 6–9, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida.
Early Bird registration is available through September 30, offering the lowest registration rates of the year.
YBAA members also have access to an exclusive discount. Use code YBAA50 when registering.
For professionals looking for practical ideas they can bring back to their businesses — and a better understanding of what's changing across the marine marketplace — Dealer Week is an opportunity to learn alongside the people navigating those changes every day.