2025 Sportsman Sales Training Recap and Top 10 Salespeople of the Year

Each year, Sportsman Boats brings together our dealer partners for sales training focused on growth, education and connection. This year’s training marked an important step forward with all new topics, expanded discussions and a deeper look into how our boats are built and sold in today’s evolving market.

With the industry continuing to change, the goal of this year’s training was simple, give sales teams the tools and knowledge they need to succeed both on the showroom floor and online.

A New Approach to Sales Training

This year’s sales training featured updated sessions designed to reflect how customers research, shop and buy boats today. Rather than revisiting the same topics year after year, the focus shifted toward modern sales strategies, digital engagement and deeper product knowledge.

One of the highlights was the second year of our dinner and engineering training. Instead of a traditional plant tour alone, Sportsman engineers walked sales teams through how our boats are designed and built. From hull construction to structural components and systems integration, this session gave sales professionals a clearer understanding of what sets Sportsman Boats apart.

For those who had never toured the facility or wanted a deeper look, in-depth plant tours were also available. This allowed every attendee to gain the level of insight that best fit their experience.

Monday Training Focused on Online Sales Growth

Monday’s training centered around boosting sales through online marketing and personal outreach. As more buyers begin their journey digitally, sales professionals play an important role in how the Sportsman brand is represented beyond the dealership.

Marketing Content Supervisor Michael Cheser led a presentation focused on creating effective video content using simple tools like an iPhone. The goal was to show how easy it can be for sales teams to create authentic, helpful content that builds trust and drives engagement.

The conversation then shifted toward the future of search and discovery. CMO Victor Gonzalez followed up with a deeper discussion on artificial intelligence and how it is changing the way people find information. Rather than traditional search methods, customers are now having conversations with tools like ChatGPT to research products and get answers. Understanding this shift is key for staying relevant and visible in today’s market.

Together, these sessions reinforced the importance of education, adaptability and personal connection in modern boat sales.

Top 10 Sportsman Salespeople of the Year

To close out the training, Sportsman Boats proudly recognized the top performing salespeople of the year. These individuals exemplify dedication, product knowledge and a commitment to delivering an outstanding customer experience.

Sportsman's Top 10 Sales People of the Year

1. Scott Baker - Riverside Marine

2. Bradley Sides - Valhalla Boat Sales

3. Ethan Howard - Collins Marine

4. Nick Furrow - Boat Motor Superstore

5. Tyler James - Sand N Sea Marine Group

6. Bill Elliott - Hanckel Marine

7. Joe Rutland - Valhalla Boat Sales

8. Jeffrey Parrish - Collins

9. Will Coxe - Hanckel Marine

10. Zach Whitehead - Palmetto Boat Center

Looking Ahead

This year’s sales training reinforced the value of education, innovation and strong dealer partnerships. From hands-on engineering insight to forward-thinking marketing strategies, the goal remains the same, equip our sales teams with the tools they need to succeed.

Congratulations to all of our attendees and to the top salespeople of the year. We appreciate the hard work and dedication that continues to move the Sportsman brand forward.