Q. What is the National Marine Service Expo?
A. Marine service expo is the marine industry’s only trade show and convention dedicated to marine service. In addition to exhibitors showing products that marine technicians use on a regular basis, AMTECH also provides five days of technical training.

Q. When is National Marine Service held?
A. This is an annual event that is held in Florida in January, and has been training marine technicians since 1993.

Q. How long has AMTECH been around?
A. AMTECH formed in 1999 as a result of Marine Service Expo. AMTECH is a non-profit 501(c)(6) association that is dedicated to marine service excellence. The mission is to set standards to enhance the skill and professionalism for all marine technicians.

Q. What type of training does AMTECH provide?
A. Through the education division, the Marine Career Training Institute of North America (MCTINA), AMTECH provides marine systems training that advances the fundamental core skills needed to be a successful technician. MCTINA courses include training on outboard engine, inboard engine, sterndrive and diesel service, as well as specific systems training on 4-stroke technology, EFI sensors, Direct Fuel Injection, just to name a few.

Q. Who would take a training course from MCTINA?
A. MCTINA training is ideal to for the incumbent worker who can’t take the time to attend school but needs to hone his or her skill on a specific system.

Q. What are the benefits of joining AMTECH?
A. One of the major reasons for joining, in addition to receiving discounts on training, is access to the online forums. The technical info allows a member to network with other members to find ways of solving technical issues. The online forums also include a bulletin board, classified ads section for buying and selling parts, as well as an employment posting link.

Q. What do you get when you join?
A. All  members receive back-dated newsletters, technical information, a shirt patch, AMTECH decals, access code to link into  the website, as well as participation in the exclusive iboats.com installation network.

Q. Do you offer a trial membership so I can see if AMTECH is for me?
A. Yes, we offer a free five-day trial membership so you can try the online forums. Fill out our free trial form.

Q. What is the iboats.com installation network?
A. iboats.com is one of the leading online stores for marine parts. Now, whenever a boater buys a part from iboats.com, the consumer can find a professional installer to install their purchase. The iboats.com website finds the closest AMTECH member by zip code search. This is an ideal way for our members to receive free advertising on the iboats.com website that has over 40 million visits per year.

Q. What are the different levels of membership?
A. Most of our members are individual technicians, but we do have membership levels for dealerships, manufacturers, schools, distributors and associations. Basically any organization that realizes service is a critical component to the success of the marine industry.

Q. What’s the difference between the individual and business or dealership level?
A. When an individual joins AMTECH, he or she owns the membership and that person receives a discount on training. If the individual changes employment, the member goes with the individual. Discounts range from 10%, 20% and 25%. When a dealership or business joins AMTECH, every employee in the company receives the discount on training, depending on the level of membership, regardless of the number of employees. Business level members are also listed on the Find a Technician link so boaters can easily find AMTECH members to service their boat.

Q. It is known that AMTECH supports the individual and independent service centers, but how could a dealership affiliated with an engine manufacturer benefit from AMTECH membership?
A. AMTECH membership can benefit these dealerships by helping cross-train their technicians on product lines they may not be affiliated with. And in this day and age, it is best that service work not be turned away.

Q. What is the easiest way to find the various levels of AMTECH membership and their respective benefits?
A. The easiest way to find this is to download our brochure in PDF format.