“Live” is a loosely used term. We wrote pieces after an educational session. We kept running notes from the trade floor. The common theme is that the 2024 Docks Expo and Marina Conference was a honeycomb of marine industry activity, and we captured a slice of it for you here. 

Okay, it’s a pretty chunky-sized slice.

Tuesday, December 10th – Vendor setup, opening sessions, and beer and chicken

The Music City Center in Nashville is a sprawling, vast conference space, complete with a 40-foot lighted Christmas tree and a location that rests one block from Broadway. Vendor setup isn’t quite like laying out blue china on a flea market table. Some displays include fully built dock components, or boat lift motors that look like Die Hard’s John McClane might show up at any moment to disarm them (please don’t, John McClane – lift motors are expensive)

The product representation is eclectic, from the battle of the marina management softwares (Dockwa, Molo/Stellar, Scribble, and Sharper all have prominent booths) to Snap Dock’s extreme-weather-capable floating docks. Carefree Boat Club’s display is a performance art piece in itself, with an upturned Sunchill floating ring installation.  

The effort vendors exerted into quality displays is more than justified: we hear commentary from the crowd noting which displays leave the greatest impression.

In the session halls, marina managers learn about Post-Covid economics and the future of electric propulsion. On the Hammer and Nail team, we show the trade floor what it looks like in practice to do “high-quality product visualization.” An example from the Snap Dock exhibit:

The conference fully arrives with the evening welcome reception, a casual mingle that includes the staples of a hearty welcome: chicken wings, pretzels, and beer.

Wednesday, December 11th – “Revenue generating ideas” and the 10th Anniversary Party

The decision makers, point people, sales associates, marina managers, dock manufacturers, and the industry stakeholders who are usually scattered amongst our country’s shorelines have fully assembled to meet, share stories, and talk shop.

At 1 p.m., Hammer and Nail’s Sam Claitor partakes in a panel hosted by Ferry Dock’s Kyle Bostwick, called “Revenue Generating Ideas Marina Managers Might Not Think Of.” The room is packed with a standing-room crowd in the back. Money talks, right?

The panel is collaborative, and the audience throws out many good ideas for how they apply unique revenue tools to their marinas.

The Hammer and Nail team continues its onward mission to create compelling on-the-spot animations and videos.

The day moves from coffee into cocktails with the 4 p.m. happy hour and the Docks Expo 10th Anniversary Party (held at Draftkings Sports & Social at Nashville Live!). Many a marina manager challenges the mechanical bull, many do not live to tell the tale.

That’s a bit of an exaggeration – nobody died at the party lounge. We promise.

Thursday, December 12th – The awards luncheon

The highlight of Thursday’s activities is the awards luncheon, which recognized marinas and marina managers with this year’s “Young Leaders Award” and “Marina of the Year” awards.

Forty industry leaders under the age of 40 received the award, and five marinas are awarded with “Marina of the Year” awards. Clinton Marina (“Large Marina of the Year”), Moose Landing Marina (“Small Marina of the Year”), Boston Yacht Haven Inn & Marina (“Environmental”), Sunlife Marinas Buffalo Harbor (“Customer Service”), and Fairwinds Marina (“Building & Growing”) all take home awards.  

Thanks to Marina Dock Age and their entire team for hosting the Docks Expo – Christi Kleiner, Emily Tintera, Andi Moravec, and everyone else who planned and coordinated so many moving pieces. 

Until next year, Nashville.

Article by Hammer and Nail Marketing

WHAT IS HAMMER & NAIL?

Hammer and Nail Marketing is a boutique marketing firm that helps small to mid-sized marinas get noticed by boaters. If you’d like to focus on operating your marina without the additional responsibility of marketing, get in touch with us.

We’re boaters ourselves from a background of operating a family-run marina. From a group of experts who know the water, let Hammer and Nail Marketing help you be the waterfront your local boaters see every time they cast off.