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Frigibar Exhibiting for 50th Time at Miami International Boat Show

The 2016 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show, February 11-15, will mark the 75th year for the event. For Frigibar Industries Inc., this year’s show marks the 50th consecutive year being involved in the show. Asked what the 50th year of Frigibar’s involvement in the show meant to her, Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky said, “To do anything for 50 years is amazing, and I think it speaks volumes to the relationships we’ve built with those that have supported us along the way.”

Frigibar Booth at MIBS 2016

Frigibar at MIBS 2016

Frigibar has been in the Oletzky family for the past 45 years, previously known as Frigibar Marine. The company manufactures luxury marine refrigeration products in Miami, Florida, and has kept manufacturing in the United States for the entire existence of the company. Frigibar will showcase high-quality marine freezers and refrigerators in front of the 100,000+ attendees of the five-day event as an exhibitor.

The Miami International Boat Show is one of the largest shows in the world and presents a unique opportunity for companies like Frigibar. Without a retail location, Frigibar utilizes boat shows to interact with customers and give people a chance to see and touch refrigerators and freezers that can add value to their boat or yacht. “I don’t know anywhere you could put a pop-up store and get 100,000 people to visit you,” said Oletzky.

Frigibar at the 2016 MIBS

Due to the participation of hundreds of boat builders, shipyards, independent boat owners, and other marine industry companies, the show brings the entire industry together in one location. “Because of the setup of the show, I’ve been able to show a customer exactly how one of our units would fit in an exact replica of their yacht because the company they purchased their vessel from is an exhibitor as well. This adds tremendous value to what Frigibar is able to provide for our customers,” says Oletzky, who isn’t shy about how much she enjoys the Miami International Boat Show. “I love it! I love that people are there have a good time and sharing the experience with their family or spouses.”

This year’s show will bring thousands of boats and exhibitors together with fans and customers in South Florida at the Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin. There will be over 10,000 available parking spaces with free shuttle bus and water taxi service. To purchase tickets in advance or for more information about the show, visit MaimiBoatShow.com.

To meet with Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky at the show, contact Frigibar ahead of time, or just stop on by during the event. Frigibar will be exhibiting in the C Tent at Booth C554.

About Frigibar Industries, Inc.

Frigibar Industries, Inc. is one of the longest established manufacturers of marine refrigeration. Frigibar Industries, previously Frigibar Marine, was purchased in 1971 by Sheldon Oletzky, a twenty-one year veteran of the United States Navy and experienced aerospace engineer. In 2011, Sheldon’s daughter Shuly Oletzky took on the role of CEO and President of Frigibar and strives to grow the company’s legacy of providing the best in marine refrigeration. These freezers have taken on a secondary meaning; on-deck fiberglass freezers are referred to by boat builders and owners worldwide as Frigibars. Frigibar provides hand-crafted, marine refrigeration systems of the highest quality.

Follow Frigibar on Twitter, Instagram, and like our Facebook page to keep updated throughout the year and see what we’re up to.

Recap of the 9th Annual Get Down to Business Lunch to Benefit Easter Seals Florida

On January 20th, the 9th Annual Get Down to Business Lunch to Benefit Easter Seals Florida took place at the Kravis Center Cohen Pavilion in West Palm Beach. The sold out crowd of over 340 business leaders, philanthropists and entrepreneurs joined together for a day to support a great cause, network, and learn from others.

The event was highlighted by bestselling author of The Fred Factor and keynote leadership speaker Mark Sanborn. “Out of all of the years I’ve done this, there was something extra special about this event. The biggest thing I took away from Mark’s (Mark Sanborn) message is that you never know the impact you can have on someone by doing your best,” says Frigibar Industries, Inc. President and Easter Seals Florida Board Member.

From CEOs to entry-level employees, each person who represents a company can make a significant impact on others by going above and beyond what is considered to be a standard level of service. Mark gave examples of this through the story of Fred, a postman who was more concerned about people’s mail than those who were receiving the mail. His passion and hard work developed into the admiration of all the people he provided services for.

Leadership is often misunderstood as forceful commands by a person in a position of power. “Management is power over people. Leadership is power with people,” said Sanborn, empowering the audience to positively influence employees and others instead of using forceful management.

The theme of working together to accomplish mutual goals was also exampled by the organizing team. “It’s a great and rewarding representation of the power of people working together for a cause greater than themselves in a community,” says Oletzky about the event. Asked what the most rewarding aspect of the event was, Oletzky replied, “seeing everything come full circle and watching how much people enjoyed and got out of what we helped to put together. This event is unlike anything else in the area.”

Over the past nine events, the Get Down to Business Lunch has raised more than $600,000 to directly support the local programs of the Igoe-Amar Child Development Center through Easter Seals Florida. Out of every dollar, 91 cents is used to directly support these programs in the West Palm Beach area.

February brings another opportunity to support Easter Seals Florida during the PGA’s The Honda Classic, which takes place February 22-28. American Honda Birdies for Children is a fundraiser that donates 110% of pledged gifts while fans of the tournament guess the total number of birdies made during the tournament. The winner will receive a brand new 2016 Honda. In the event of a tie, a blind drawing from all of the correct guesses will determine the winner. Additional prizes will be randomly drawn. Donations can be made on The Honda Classic website here.

For more information about Easter Seals Florida, please visit EasterSeals.com/Florida, or contact Heather R. Weisbrod at 561.471.1688 ext. 133 or email at hweisbrod@fl.easterseals.com.

About Frigibar Industries, Inc.

Frigibar Industries, Inc. is one of the longest established manufacturers of marine refrigeration. Frigibar was started in 1971 by Founder and President Sheldon Oletzky, a twenty-one year veteran of the United States Navy and experienced aerospace engineer. In 2011, Sheldon’s daughter Shuly Oletzky took on the role of CEO and President of Frigibar and strives to grow the company’s legacy of providing the best in marine refrigeration. These freezers have taken on a secondary meaning; on-deck fiberglass freezers are referred to by boat builders and owners worldwide as Frigibars. Frigibar provides hand-crafted, marine refrigeration systems of the highest quality.

 

How Frigibar Approaches Customer Service

“You’ve reached the wrong department, let me transfer you to someone who can help.”

“But I’ve already been transferred five times,” you say as you’re ready to cancel your service or return a product because of bad customer service. We’ve all been there before.

In January, President Shuly Oletzky published an article on customer service on the Huffington Post Business Blog titled “Using Customer Service as a Competitive Advantage: 5 Ways to Help Customers Love You.” In the article, Shuly explains her frustration with companies that avoid using customer service as a competitive advantage for their business. “There’s a big issue when it comes to customer service — many companies simply don’t provide it…,” says Oletzky.

“As a business or entrepreneur, if you truly care about your customers and their experiences with your company, customer service should be at the top of your ‘important things to do’ list, and not approached like an afterthought,” says Oletzky, who feels excellent customer service is just as important as providing a high-quality product. “Good service makes people feel important and valued. Keeping customers happy isn’t rocket science. It does take time and will cost money, but the return is what keeps you in business.”

Delivery of two new Frigibar freezer/refrigerators

Satisfied Frigibar Customers


Customer service means something different for each business. For Frigibar, it can mean driving several hours to inspect a Frigibar Freezer that may need maintenance, or personally delivering a new refrigerator unit to a new customer. The image above was taken after Shuly Oletzky drove to Marco Island (roughly two hours away from Miami) to meet with new customers and hand-deliver their new freezers.

Frigibar works with each person we come into contact with as if they are a customer we’ve known for decades; putting their needs first, even if that means referring them to a different company to find their perfect solution. “If another product on the market suits their needs better, I’ll refer them elsewhere without hesitation. Exceptional customer service includes being a good resource and looking out for your customer’s best interest no matter what. Just because someone may not be the right customer today, doesn’t mean they won’t be in the future.”

Read “Using Customer Service as a Competitive Advantage: 5 Ways to Help Customers Love You” on the Huffington Post Business Blog here!

Whether you’re looking for a fish box for your competitive fishing team’s boat, a cockpit refrigerator/freezer, or something completely different, we invite you to contact Frigibar. We are happy to help.

Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky Featured in Huffington Post

Frigibar Industries, Inc. President Shuly Oletzky is a passionate entrepreneur and philanthropist who took over the family business from her father, Sheldon Oletzky, in late 2010. After over 40 years providing quality marine refrigeration products manufactured in America, Frigibar is the most trusted and reliable brand of refrigerators and freezers that travel on-board vessels of all shapes and sizes around the world.

When Shuly isn’t helping customers enjoy their lifestyle out on the water, she’s travelling, learning from others, building relationships, and volunteering in the community, including serving on the Board of Directors for Easter Seals Florida, who are hosting the “Get Down to Business Lunch” on January 20th in West Palm Beach.  Shuly is also a Boat Show Committee Member for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), and is an alumni of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Businesses program and Leadership Palm Beach County (LPBC).

As an alumni of the program hosted by Goldman Sachs, Shuly has the opportunity to submit articles to the Huffington Post. Over the past four months, Shuly has been featured on the Huffington Post small business blog three times. Here are the featured pieces and a short description of each.

–       7 Reasons to Plan for Succession in Your Business Today

Shuly highlights the importance of succession planning and seven reasons business owners and entrepreneurs should start planning for succession as soon as possible.

When transitioning to President of Frigibar Industries, Inc., our family business for over 40 years, there was no succession plan. Instead of being able to jump into the position and begin working on building the company, several months were spent putting processes into place, organizing documents, and learning how things were done in the past — all of which could’ve been done months or years earlier.”

–       10 Tips to Turn In-Person Events into a Secret Weapon for Your Business

Huffington Post Logo

In-person events have been one of the most beneficial activities to both Frigibar and the growth of Shuly as a business owner. From forming new partnerships to meeting new mentors, each event has brought value back to her and the business. This article covers 10 ways any business owner can turn an event into value.

–       Booth Tips: 9 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Appearance at a Trade Show

Without a retail space, Frigibar relies on boat shows to give customers and partners access to freezer and refrigerator units. Shuly shares her advice to other entrepreneurs and sales professionals on how to get the most value out of appearing at a trade show or conference.

“To help you make the most out of exhibiting at a show without regretting your investment, here are nine ways to get more out of your next event or trade show, created with the help of one of the many valuable connections and friends I’ve made at an Inc. event, Nuphoriq Co-Founder and CCO Jamie Pritscher.”

To connect with Shuly, follow her on LinkedIn, Twitter, or email her at Shuly.Oletzky@Frigibar.com.

Happy New Year from Frigibar Industries, Inc.!

Happy New Year! I want to thank you so much for being part of our business. Whether you’re a customer, partner, employee, friend, or just like to read our blog, I want to personally thank you on behalf of our family. Since taking over the business from my father Sheldon Oletzky in late 2010, I’ve been overwhelmed by the help and patronage both the business and our team has received. We would not be where we are today without your support. Heading into our 45th year, we look forward to serving you in the New Year and beyond to the high level of service and quality expected from the Frigibar brand.
2015 was an exciting and rewarding year for the Frigibar team. We love receiving annual family letters at the end of each year, so we decided to do one and share with you; where we have been this year, what we are doing, to thank you for your continued support, and to let you know why we’re so excited about 2016.

2015 Highlights

Boat Shows

Frigibar Booth at MIBS 2016

Frigibar at MIBS 2016

Since our family began this journey over forty years ago, boat shows have played a very important part in our business. Shows give us a chance to interact in-person with customers and partners, and give others the opportunity to see and touch our products. In 2015, we exhibited at five shows, including:

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Outside of the shows we were able to physically participate in, due to our partnerships with other companies, Frigibar units were displayed at several additional shows, including the Palm Beach International Boat Show, New England Boat Show in Boston, Providence Boat Show, and the Bay Bridge Boat Show in Annapolis, Maryland.

Featured in…

2015 was a great year for spreading our message and products throughout the industry and beyond in publications and advertisements. We were featured in Southern Boating Magazine with an advertisement and product feature. You can also find us online and in the upcoming print version of Yachting Pages.

We have shared our insight about relevant business topics on the Huffington Post Business Blog thanks to our involvement with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, which I completed last year. We have published three articles aimed at providing actionable advice for entrepreneurs. We enjoyed writing these articles and were thrilled to see one of them re-published on The Hartford’s website. Additional articles are in the works for next year. If you are interested in contributing, I welcome you to email our content manager, Michael Luchies at content@frigibar.com. Here are the three published articles from this year:

Frigibar Blog

We’ve designed our blog to provide you with relevant information on topics that add value to our readers. All in the past year, we’ve featured industry experts, fishing teams, boat-builders, yacht brokers, event directors, and several of our partners. At the urging of our team, I even discussed my passion for boat shows. We’d love if you took a look at our blog and read a couple of the articles we created just for you. If there is a topic that is of interest and you would like to learn more about, email us at content@frigibar.com and we will work on providing it.

Partnerships

2015 saw several new partnerships, including working with Yacht Equipment & Parts, and Whiticar Boat Works in Stuart, Florida to showcase Frigibar units. We also expanded our presence in the Northeast through our relationship with Island and Harbor Sales. For partnership inquiries, please contact us at info@frigibar.com.

Fishing Teams

We are so proud of our 2 spectacular fishing teams that we sponsored this year. Team Tito’s Fishing Team helped us start the year off right, hosting a special Tito’s Vodka tasting reception at our booth at the Miami International Boat show. The team had tremendous success with their Memorial Day family event and fishing tournament “The Downtown Showdown KDW” in West Palm Beach, Florida, which resulted in a 5-figure donation to Lauren’s Kids. Mark your calendars for May 20-21, 2016 for their 2nd Annual event and we will see you there!

Liquid Fire Fishing Team

The Liquid Fire Fishing Team and Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky

Liquid Fire Fishing Team received their custom Frigibar dunnage box for their Intrepid Powerboats 375 Center Console and traveled a good part of the year to numerous tournaments and events. Liquid Fire also spent a good portion of their time sharing knowledge through their fishing schools held around the country and you can see their upcoming schedule here. They had a fantastic finish to the year earning 1st Place in the Swansboro Five-0 King Mackerel Tournament and 3rd Place in the US Open King Mackerel Tournament. Read our interview with team captain Mark Henderson.

Why We’re Excited About 2016!

We have a lot of things to be thankful for and many opportunities to pursue in the New Year. Here are three of the things we’re looking forward to in 2016:

  • Expansion of online product availability
  • Partner acquisition and forming new relationships along with expanding existing partnerships Nationally and Internationally
  • New product development

Where we will be in the 1st Quarter of 2016

With any of our events, feel free to contact us ahead of time if you would like to schedule a time to meet with us or just stop on by. You can keep tabs on where we will be by visiting our events page which is updated with our upcoming event schedule and overviews of the fun stuff we do.

Thank you for an amazing 2015. We welcome you to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and like our Facebook page to keep updated throughout the year and see what we’re up to.

Our mailing address has changed, so please make sure to update your records: Frigibar Industries, Inc. 3324 NW South River Drive, Miami, Florida 33142.

Wishing you a very Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year from our family to yours!

  • Shuly Oletzky, Frigibar President & the Frigibar Family

Frigibar Freezer Units to be Displayed at Stuart Boat Show with Whiticar Boat Works Partnership

STUART, FL, Dec. 22, 2015 — Frigibar Industries Inc., America’s foremost manufacturer of quality marine refrigeration products, and Whiticar Boat Works have partnered to bring the best in boat and yacht freezers and refrigerators to Stuart, Florida.

Frigibar Marine Refrigeration Unit

Frigibar is a staple at boat shows and marine industry events across the nation. Without a retail storefront, these events serve as a unique opportunity for boat and yacht customers to experience the quality of a Frigibar freezer.

As the largest boat show on the Treasure Coast, the Stuart Boat Show, now in its 42nd year, brings nearly 200 exhibitors, $100 million dollars in boats and marine products, and thousands of people together for a great three-day event. Taking place January 15-18 in Stuart, Florida, the show will feature motor yachts, cruisers, center consoles, speed boats, sport fishing boats, pontoon and personal watercrafts.

Whiticar Boat Works is the exclusive Frigibar dealer in Martin County, allowing local boaters to touch and feel what Frigibar has to offer. Asked why they partnered with Frigibar, a Whiticar representative stated, “We as a group feel their quality and long-standing market presence are the main reasons we recommend them and are proud to represent their product. We also appreciate the fact that they are “locally” made and customizable!”

The Stuart Boat Show will be located at 54 N. Dixie Hwy., Stuart, FL. There will be free parking, water taxi and shuttle service available at specified locations in downtown Stuart. Tickets are $12 for General Admission, $10 for seniors over 65, and tickets for Veterans and children (12 and under) and only $5. For more information on the Stuart Boat Show, visit: http://www.allsportsproductions.net/stuart-boat-show/   

About Frigibar Industries, Inc.

Frigibar Industries, Inc. is one of the longest established manufacturers of marine refrigeration. Frigibar was started in 1971 by founder and president Sheldon Oletzky, a twenty-one year veteran of the United States Navy and experienced aerospace engineer. In 2011, Sheldon’s daughter Shuly Oletzky took on the role of CEO and President of Frigibar and strives to grow the company’s legacy of providing the best in marine refrigeration. These freezers have taken on a secondary meaning; on-deck fiberglass freezers are referred to by boat builders and owners worldwide as Frigibars. Frigibar provides hand-crafted, marine refrigeration systems of the highest quality.

About Whiticar Boat Works

Based out of Stuart, Florida, Whiticar Boat Works has been in the boat business for over 70 years, and is known for providing only the best in boating and yachting. With an average of 28 years of experience among their talented staff, they provide the most dedicated and versatile services with what they call “white glove treatment.”

 

8 Custom Boat Building Considerations: What Buyers Need to Know

Deciding to have a boat built for your adventures is a significant decision, but it’s just the start of the rewarding process of having a vessel created of your very own. It’s like accepting a marriage proposal; you’re committed and very excited, but there’s a lot of work and research ahead leading up till the day you get to sail away together.

We interviewed Jeff Rhodes to find out the most important things to consider when deciding to buy a new boat from a builder. Jeff is the founder of Coastal Craft Welded Aluminium Boats Ltd. and has over two decades of experience building boats, including the Coastal Craft 65 Concord yacht. Here are eight important aspects of purchasing a custom-built boat to carefully consider prior to finalizing your purchase

65-Foot Coastal Craft Concord Yacht

  • Intended Use: Boats are made for the water, right? Should it really matter how you’re going to use it? In short, absolutely. According to Jeff, you need to have a firm understanding of how you are going to use the boat. “If someone wants to get to somewhere comfortably and safely, you need to make sure the boat can get them there.” The location where it will be used, frequency of use, and personal preferences will all factor into what boat and features will best fit your adventures.
  • Fully Understand What You’re Buying: Asked what’s the biggest mistake boat buyers of custom vessels make, Jeff said, “Not taking the time to fully understand the product they are considering purchasing. It’s hard to just walk through a boat show and know what you’re getting. You need to carefully go through specifications and what the boat is intended to do.” It’s important not to try to force a fit if what you’re considering buying doesn’t quite match how you plan on using it.
  • Qualify Your Builder: “Take your time and research the companies you’re considering. Do not rush the process of qualifying your builder,” Jeff says. He also cautions that qualifying a builder goes far beyond checking their reputation and seeing what they’ve built in the past. “They may be a great builder with a great reputation, but what they build might not match what you’re looking for and your unique needs. Buyers will gravitate towards a great brand, but want something that doesn’t fit what the builder makes.”
  • Naval Architecture: Coastal Craft specializes in yachts crafted out of aluminum, but the design, size, and intended use of your vessel may require a specific type of material. ”It’s all about the boat first, and then about styling and interior second. You can’t compromise the design.”
  • Communication with the Builder: Buyers need to keep an open and honest line of communication with the boat builder. “I can’t tell someone how they are going to use their boat, but I can use their description to help guide them in this process.” A boat customized for the conditions of Alaska is going to be different than one made for Miami, Florida, or even in Maine. “I need to understand how they plan on using the boat, and that is gained through having an open dialogue with them.” To avoid problems during the building process, make sure your builder is responsive and that you have contacts you can get ahold of when needed. If you are being left in the dark during the early stages of the process, it could be a warning sign.
  • Unique Needs and Preferences: We all have different preferences and needs, but can your builder accommodate them? Coastal Craft recently built a custom 65 Concord that included a wheelchair lift and custom elevator. The Coastal Craft team had to work closely with vendors and come up with innovative designs to give the customer exactly what they wanted. If you have custom needs or preferences, make sure they are presented to the builder at the beginning of the process, and make sure they can deliver. Ask if they have done anything similar in the past and how they would go about problem-solving and building the solution you need.
  • Interior Design: The overall design of the boat is the most important aspect of a build, but you have to be satisfied with the interior to fully enjoy your boat. Don’t overlook the interior of your boat. Take a look at boats similar to what you’re considering and keep track of what you like and dislike from each. Then, meet with who will be doing the interior design of your boat with each builder to see what they have designed in the past and to discuss what you want for the interior of your boat.
  • Maximizing Available Space: When asked “What’s the hardest aspect of a boat to build to a customer’s specifications,” Jeff replied, “It has to do with space. The biggest challenge is working with space (storage, deck) to maximize space. If you want a fast boat, your boat will have a different layout and have different space needs.”

Jeff Rhodes of Coastal Craft
Whatever builder or type of boat you decide to go with, it’s important not to rush the process and make sure that what you want can be delivered by the builder. If in need of help during the process, Jeff recommends talking to other boat owners, doing internet research, and considering hiring a Certified Professional Yacht Broker (
CPYB) to help. For more information on Jeff Rhodes or Coastal Craft boats, visit CoastalCraft.com.

Looking to make the most of your boat’s space? Let Frigibar show you how to better utilize your boat’s space with the best in marine refrigeration.

METSTRADE 2015: Marine Trade Show Recap

Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky has returned from Amsterdam after traveling to and exhibiting at METSTRADE 2015, the world’s largest marine equipment trade show. The show, which took place November 17-19 featured over 1,300 exhibitors from over 40 countries showcasing their products throughout nearly two-dozen pavilions. According to Boating Industry, overall attendance at METSTRADE 2015 was up 5.7 percent from 2014, which is a new record for the event.

METSTRADEThis show was the first METSTRADE event for Oletzky and a truly unique experience. When asked how this show was different from the 100 or so she’s attended in the past, Oletzky said, “One of the biggest differences of this show outside of being in Amsterdam, which was amazing, is that this was a business-to-business show and not aimed at end-users like at the other shows we participate in.” At METS she got access to meet partners and companies from around the world that she may not have been able to otherwise.

“Businesses in this industry truly understand the product — they want a way to contact you in the future, learn how to partner together, and begin a conversation on how a relationship can be mutually beneficial.” There are businesses at every show, but the atmosphere of this show was unlike that of consumer-focused shows. “I think the focus of the attendees is much different because there is a big emphasis on networking and improving and growing their business.”

One of the highlights was meeting the founders of a company in Greece that frequently works with Frigibar freezers while doing maintenance and repairs. “Having the opportunity to understand how a completely different market perceives our products and how they perform in a different part of the world was extremely valuable information,” said Oletzky. Although many stopped by, the entrepreneurs and executives in attendance moved quickly as most of them had an agenda and specific strategies when maneuvering around the show.

Asked for her favorite part of the experience at the show, Oletzky said, “the access I had to meet representatives from the US Department of Commerce located in Europe. I had a few opportunities to spend some time with them and learn about the European market. The education I received from them was really valuable.”

When attending an event for the first time, it can be hard to know what to expect, but Oletzky felt right at home. “I didn’t know what to expect because it was my first year, and I was extremely surprised with how much support I received while at the show. As soon as I found my booth on set-up day my freight forwarder was there to confirm the delivery of our showpiece. Shortly following, my contact from Enterprise Florida stopped by and assisted me in getting acclimated. Within the next 20 minutes the North America sales representative from the RAI was also at the booth to check in on things. It was very comforting and helpful to have all of this support,” says Oletzky.

Frigibar and Shuly Oletzky will now take a short break from attending shows before gearing up for the Miami International Boat Show in early February (February 11-15).

Don’t miss an update! Follow Frigibar onTwitter, Instagram and Facebook to see what we’re up to, news updates, new products, and more.

 

 

Frigibar: As Seen in Southern Boating Magazine

Founded in 1972, Southern Boating Magazine is a privately owned boating publication that aims to bring the best in boating lifestyle to you. Boating life is about leisure, luxury, and safety — three characteristics that stay true to Frigibar Industries’ brand as the leading manufacturer of quality marine refrigeration products.

Frigibar in Southern Boating Magazine

Frigibar was featured in the July 2015 issue of Southern Boating Magazine, and will also be featured in an upcoming product spotlight. Frigibar is proud to support media publications like Southern Boating Magazine that share tips, news, events, and other resources with the boating and yachting communities.

For more information on Southern Boating Magazine, visit SouthernBoating.com.

Looking for more great resources like Southern Boating Magazine? Visit Frigibar’s full boating and yachting resource list.

Why I Love Boat Shows: Q&A with Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky

Boat show season is in full swing and Frigibar is traveling across the world to bring the best in marine refrigeration to boat owners everywhere. From Newport to Amsterdam to right here in Florida (Miami and Fort Lauderdale), Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky will be at a half-dozen boat shows this season.

Frigibar has been featuring industry experts, boat-makers, and fishing teams in recent articles, so we thought we’d take a minute to sit down with Shuly to find out why she loves boat shows.

“Growing up as the daughter of the owner of a marine refrigeration company, going to boat shows was how I spent several weekends each year. Having attended around 100 shows, I’ve learned a lot and have grown to really appreciate the opportunities and atmosphere that are at every event.”

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Here is what we asked Shuly and her responses:

Q: What’s your favorite boat show memory?

Shuly Oletzky (SO): Spending time with my family; my dad specifically. When I was younger, I stood back and watched and played around. As I got older, I was able to help, learn about the business, and learn about my dad.

We spent hours and hours together talking, working together, and building an even stronger relationship. These were truly special times and I’m so grateful for those experiences.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of a boat show?

SO: By far, the people are what I enjoy most. There are several aspects of each show that I love due to how they allow people; myself included, to connect, network, and make friendships with others.

It may be all about business for some, but to me it’s the whole package of business, friendships, and building relationships and trust.

Q: What other aspects of boat shows do you love?

SO: There are quite a few.

The environment. It’s electric! There isn’t anything that matches the fun environment of a boat show. Everyone is excited, learning and shopping for things they desire around a common interest. When you get a group of people together that are passionate about the same things, it’s impossible not to feed off of their energy.

It’s a social and recreational activity. I find the people that are passionate about boating, fishing, and sailing are typically very social people who enjoy being surrounded by others. They’re friendly and open to meeting strangers and sharing their experiences during their travels.

The chance to meet other people in the industry. As hard as you work at a show, you see people you’re only seeing a couple of times a year. Organizers build in a lot of recreational activities and social time, including receptions.

Q: Do you enjoy going to a boat show more as an exhibitor or attendee?

SO: Whether I’m attending as an exhibitor or an attendee, I thoroughly enjoy these shows. As an attendee, I get to see customers and partners who I wouldn’t be able to meet with when I am exhibiting and spending most of my time in my booth. Going as an attendee also provides a great opportunity to make new B2B connections, as the other exhibitors don’t always get a chance to visit other booths during the show.

Q: How can exhibitors take advantage of shows?

SO: Be present and don’t consider your time at the show the same you would a normal work day. You have to try to limit your distractions and be accessible for attendees to meet and connect with you. If you’re disconnected, you’ll miss opportunities.

I want to be able to help everyone I can, even if it’s just to direct them to other booths they are looking for or tell them where the bathrooms are. If I’m buried in paperwork behind a table, no one will get the chance to meet me or feel comfortable coming up to me.

Q: What should attendees do to make the most of an event?

SO: Why are you going? Have your goals defined and plan ahead.

Know exactly what you want out of the show, and try to get this information early so you can relax and enjoy the rest of the show. Show producers want you to find what you are looking for, and so do the exhibitors! Take advantage of show guides, information booths, apps, show websites and staff walking the show to help make your experience a great one.

Q: If speaking to someone who has never attended a show, why should they go?

SO: Shows are a great overview of the industry and a very convenient way to get a lot done in a short amount of time. You have the opportunity to talk to multiple vendors in one place instead of making five different phone calls or trying to drive out to meet with them in person at their physical locations. For businesses like Frigibar who don’t have a store, shows are a wonderful opportunity for customers and vendors to see our products outside of visiting a partner who showcases our products or seeing it on a friend’s boat.

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