Wet weather impacts Miami Boat Show

Celebrating 79 years and its fifth year at Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin, the 2020 Progressive® Insurance Miami International Boat Show drew 82,171 attendees on February 13-17 in Miami, FL. The Show kicked off with near record crowds on opening day while momentum slowed over the weekend with rainy weather.

As a result of inclement weather, attendance was down 10 percent compared to 91,518 in 2019. The Miami Boat Show will return to Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin in 2021 over President’s Day weekend, February 11-15.

With an impact of $854 million annually, the Miami Boat Show is an economic driver, employing an estimated 5,700 people and filling approximately 100,000 hotel room nights in Miami. Florida exhibitors alone sell a projected $350 million in marine products at the Show while out-of-town visitors spend approximately $53 million on restaurants, entertainment, and other local businesses when they come to town.

2020 boat show highlights: the BoatU.S. On-Water Training Program, which provided fun and educational hands-on training for 162 boaters – a 40% increase in participation compared to last year; the new Junior Captains’ program, presented by the Annapolis School of Seamanship, developed to introduce kids to the fun of boating with 90-minute lessons aboard a powerboat; and the renowned sailing seminar program featuring well-known names in the industry, which attract thousands of sailing enthusiasts from around the world.

The Miami Boat Show also hosted its first Boating Career Day on Friday, February 14 to shine a spotlight on opportunities within the recreational boating industry. Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez kicked things off with opening remarks as the show hosted 65 students from MAST Academy for a Q&A panel discussion with industry executives.

Details: www.MiamiBoatShow.com.

Source: Nikki Deas