Home |                                                                                                                                                                          

Hartford show reports attendance boost

Posted By admin on February 1, 2012

Attendance was up 10 percent – with about 12,500 visitors tallied – at the Hartford Boat Show, which ran Friday through Sunday at the Connecticut Convention Center.

“This has been our best response from the public in a number of years, indicating a positive change in the economy, small as it might be,” said Amy Lynn Clark, director of programs for the organizing Connecticut Marine Trades Association. Exhibitor space was sold out going into the show and the association had a vendor waiting list, Clark said.

The sense of optimism apparent at winter shows in New York and Providence, R.I., was also found in Hartford. Several dealers spoke of a change in mood among people who attended.

“They’re asking buying questions,” said Ryan Kagy, the Ohio-based regional sales manager for Premier pontoons. “People aren’t coming up to you and asking a bunch of questions, then walking away.”

About 50 dealers displayed more than 200 boats. Nearly 25 percent of the boats on exhibit were pontoons.

“A few years ago we were one of the only pontoon dealers at this show,” said Chick Shifrin, who runs Columbia Marine in northeast Connecticut.

David Dorrance, a broker with Prestige Yacht Sales in Essex, Conn., said the brokerage firm has sold two new Cutwater trailerable cruisers — a 28 and a 26 — in the last month.

“It’s a changing market, and people are looking for value and for efficiency,” Dorrance said of the 26 on display, which he said burns about 6.5 gph running at 17 knots and was selling at the show for $149,000.

“People are looking for something they can afford to not only buy, but afford to run and keep,” Dorrance said.

To see the full Trade Only Today story click here.

Steady crowds boost New York Boat Show

Posted By admin on January 9, 2012

Posted on 09 January 2012

A new year brought renewed optimism among dealers at the New York Boat Show, the first show of 2012.

After a walk on the floor of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan shortly before the show opened its doors on Friday, NMMA president Thom Dammrich said the mood among vendors was clearly upbeat.
 
 

“I’d say there’s probably more optimism for 2012 than in the past four or five years,” Dammrich told Trade Only Today.

Crowds were steady and building from opening day Wednesday through the five-day show. A National Football League playoff game at 1 p.m. that involved the hometown Giants somewhat diminished attendance on the final day.

Dammrich said he could sense optimism among both the vendors and attendees he spoke with.

“Some people have been coming out to the show for several years, just looking,” Dammrich said before noting recent positive economic news on manufacturing and jobs. “People are ready for some good news, they’re now getting some good news and I think people are ready to break out and do what they’ve been holding back on for years.”

Dave Dzurilla, general manager for MarineMax in New York’s Westchester County and Connecticut’s Fairfield County, said his crew was seeing “good, qualified prospects. We’re not seeing the daydreamer.”

We had a decent fall, but after this show our entire team feels confident we’re finally seeing a real uptick,” he said.

Dzurilla today reported 68 boats sold among the Sea Ray, Boston Whaler and Meridian displays, compared with 42 at the 2011 show.

Steve DeFeo, general manager of DeFeo’s Marina, a Bennington, Larson and Regal dealer on New York’s Greenwood Lake, said he has displayed at every New York show since 1981. Although pontoon boat sales have held up better than other models during the recession, he said he comes into 2012 feeling that “we’re slowly moving up the hill.”

Nate Anderson, Northeast regional sales manager for Scout Boats, said one change he’s sensing is that “people are sitting down and talking real numbers, which is a night-and-day difference from ’09, when all anybody wanted to talk about was how bad the recession was.”

Mark Yarussi, a regional sales manager for Bayliner who oversees 80 dealers from Michigan to Maine to Washington, D.C., summed up his take on the market this way:

“Compared to this time last year we’re picking up steam, and the enthusiasm is up and we feel good about 2012.”

— Rich Armstrong

To see the full Trade Only story, click here.

ULA Client, Minto signs brokerage deal designed to bring more Canadians to Florida

Posted By admin on January 5, 2012

Minto signs brokerage deal designed to bring more Canadians to Florida

By Michael Braga, Herald-Tribune
Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Minto's Keystone-Grand-II model

Two Canadian real estate companies – Minto and Baker Real Estate – are teaming up to help Canadian home buyers find their dream second home in Florida, the “Sunshine State.”

As the second phase of Minto Communities’ “Own Some Florida Warmth” campaign, Baker has agreed to utilize its international network of 4,000 real estate agents to market Minto’s eight properties in Florida. The first phase of the campaign, which offers Canadian buyers $5,000 USD towards options in a new home, remains in effect through March 2012.

“With an extensive network, unique knowledge of both Canada and Florida markets and a history of achieving sales results, we couldn’t have found a better partner in Baker Real Estate,” states Michael Belmont, president of Minto Communities. “We look forward to sharing our exceptional waterfront, golf and resort-style communities with their agents and customers.”

Here is a list of Minto’s Florida properties:

Florida’s West Coast:

“Lakewood Ranch, Country Club East – Located in one of the country’s most acclaimed master-planned golf club communities, Minto is proud to building exciting new home designs on the Ranch. A short drive to award-winning beaches, golf courses, restaurants and the Tampa metropolitan area, Minto’s homes offer stylish interiors, dramatic elevations and innovative floor plans combining 2-, 3- and 4-bedrooms with 2- and 3-car garages. Homes on large sites start from the $290s.

“Harbour Isle on Anna Maria Sound – Florida’s best resort island lifestyle offering a Southern coastal architectural style to suite any beachcomber. Incredible Island Coach homes offer scenic water and nature vistas from every home. Unique elevations, innovative floor plans and built-in luxury features complete the ultimate coastal home. The gated waterfront community features a kayak launch, beach club, marina and is minutes away from beaches, golf, medical centers and a premium outlet mall. Prices start in the low $330s to $500s.

“Sun City Center – Named to the Hall of Fame of Best Master Planned Communities by Where to Retire Magazine, Sun City Center features a variety of exquisite homes to create an easy, carefree lifestyle. Minto offers single-family homes, estate homes and paired villas ranging from the $150s to $300s. Designed with stylish interiors, all homes are conveniently located to golf cart paths that quickly bring homeowners to nearby shopping centers, restaurants, golf courses and medical facilities.

Florida’ East Coast:

“Artesia – In Sunrise, these new homes boast cutting-edge designs with the look, feel, and style of cultivated European residences. Indeed, most invite you into courtyards via a private, gated entry where beautifully arched colonnades frame the sculpted roof lines. Priced from the $270s for exceptional two-story living, Artesia offers courtyard homes and terrace homes with a two-car garage and a backyard for outdoor fun. Artesia’s superior location is at the epicenter of South Florida, close to shopping, entertainment and sports venues while only being a short drive to the world-class Fort Lauderdale beach or, a little further, downtown Miami.

“Cascada at Monterra – Located in desirable Cooper City, this exquisite gated neighborhood features inspired 2 and 3-bedroom courtyard homes with 2-car garages, from the $200s. Outside, these new award-winning homes in South Florida feature Santa Barbara and Palm Beach-styled architecture, appointed with covered patios and balconies. Innovative interiors feature wide-open living spaces, spacious kitchens, generous bedrooms and luxurious baths. An exclusive resident-only pool, clubhouse and recreation center await. Cascada is within a short driving distance to the beaches of Fort Lauderdale, the restaurants and shops of Miami Beach and Ft. Lauderdale International airport.

“Olympia – In one of the U.S.’ most affluent counties resides one of Palm Beach’s finest master-planned communities, Olympia. Minto offers Mission, Palm Beach and West Indies style homes featuring rotundas, dramatic foyers, luxurious master bedrooms and airy gourmet kitchens. Ideally located within a community of more than 240 acres of lakes and wetland preserves including 100-acre Lake Olympia, the community features an elegant Mediterranean Clubhouse with great room, community room, spa-like fitness center and more. An outside lagoon-style pool offers fountains and island spa. Homes are priced from the $300s to over $700s.

“PortoSol – Located in one of the U.S.’ most prestigious counties – Palm Beach – PortoSol offers extraordinary living, luxury and value in its Royal Palm Beach location. Priced from the mid $200s for elegant and spacious one- to two-story living, the homes offer a wide variety of designs, floor plans and premium standard features to meet the lifestyle preference of any buyer. In addition to fine living, the stunning community includes more than 100 acres of lakes, preserves and landscaped open areas and as well as a renowned clubhouse with a pool, fitness center and billiards room.

“TownPark at Tradition – Located in Port Saint Lucie – named one of the “Best Places to Retire” by Portfolio.com – Minto’s TownPark homes offer stylish living surrounded by lakes, preserves and open areas. Minto’s architecturally-inspired homes feature magnificent master suites, gourmet kitchens and tall ceilings within exceptional one- and two-story living. A vibrant community with walking/jogging trails, a recreation center with resort-style pool and a dog park, it is also centrally located to challenging golf courses, ocean beaches and shopping. With prices starting from the mid $180s, TownPark offers home of your dreams – and at the price of your dreams.

ULA Welcomes New Client, Christi Insurance

Posted By admin on January 3, 2012

Christi Insurance, a full service insurance company for personal, commercial and marine policies, has signed on ULA to redesign and launch their new website.

ULA client Community Bank continues their momentum…

Posted By admin on December 30, 2011

ULA client Community Bank continues their momentum with their new digital billboard promoting their sponsorship of the Outback Bowl. New Community Bank ATMs were installed in the stadium just in time.

Community Bank Digital Billboard for 2012 Outback Bowl

Community Bank ATM's located inside of Raymond James Stadium

Happy Holidays from ULA!

Posted By admin on December 20, 2011

Great News for ULA Clients – Brand Pages from Twitter are Coming Soon!

Posted By admin on December 19, 2011

Twitter Finally Announces Brand Pages!
Source: Horizon Marketing Group

Bing, Chevrolet, Coca-Cola, Dell, Disney, General Electric, Hewlitt-Packard, Intel, and JetBlue are just a handful of the 21 brands selected as Twitter Launch Partners for their brand pages. Unfortunately for all other companies with standard accounts, only these brands will have unique access to Twitter’s 100 million active monthly users, who incidentally have to use the new version of Twitter in order to see them. Twitter is saying that brand pages will be rolled out to all users at the beginning of next year.

For Twitter, launching brand pages could be a way of challenging Facebook as the secondary branded destination for a company after its own website. If brand pages become enticing destinations with rich content experiences, Twitter’s advertising products become more appealing as a means of directing people there.

Brand pages have two key elements, both of which are free. Pages can be customized with large header images to display the brand’s logo and tagline more prominently than under the standard format. In the past, branded elements of the page design were often partially covered by the time line of tweets.

Brands can also choose to keep a particular tweet at the top of their time line, and that top tweet will auto-expand to reveal an embedded photo or video from Flickr, YouTube or other sources, without requiring the user to take action. Brand pages also feature:

- Differentiation between replies and mentions

- Embeddable tweets (embed a tweet onto your website, giving visitors the ability to reply or RT right from your site)
Twitter also announced that they will unveil a new design for desktop and mobile versions. Brand pages will ultimately be deployed for Twitter’s mobile clients but not until a later launch.

ULA coordinates a full scale photo shoot for longtime client, Stonelake Ranch

Posted By admin on December 2, 2011

United Landmark Associates recently conducted a comprehensive photo shoot with Stonelake Ranch. The Agency is working on a targeted event-selling sales launch, along with a brand refresh, targeted at increasing awareness in the real estate marketplace. Drawing upon our diverse clientele and long standing partnerships, Reeve’s Auto Imports partnered with Stonelake Ranch and ULA for the 2011 Maserati GranTurismo throughout the shoot, along with Bay Area Water Sports for the MasterCraft used in the lake shots and Turkey Creek Stables for the horses used in the lifestyle shots. Images from the shoot have already been included in several ads, both regional and international, and will soon be implemented in eBlasts, brochure collateral and highway billboards.




ULA is proud to announce our newest client, MF Lightwave!

Posted By admin on November 29, 2011

MF Lightwave has retained United Landmark Associates to assist in the overall re-branding of their company. ULA is excited to join teams with MF Lightwave, a Tampa-based fiber-optics company that prides themselves on fast, reliable and high-quality products and services. The new MF Lightwave company logo is complete, and from here ULA will create all new collateral and design a brand new website. MF Lightwave is a forward-looking company full of innovation, proven experience and strict standards when it comes to quality and performance. They have a “whatever it takes” approach to meeting needs and exceeding expectations. The goal of this re-branding is to position the company in the fiber optics marketplace and build up awareness to aid in the long term success of MF Lightwave.

Happy Thanksgiving from ULA!

Posted By admin on November 23, 2011

United Landmark Associates, Inc. | 3708 West Swann Ave., Ste. 103 | Tampa, FL 33609 | 813-870-9519

Blog Home Page

Copyright © 2011 United Landmark Associates