“It’s always huge, so we’re expecting a lot of people and a lot of business. Last year there was $600 million in sales.” -- Nannette Rodriguez, media relations
officer for the City of Miami Beach.
By Jason Jeffers
Staff Writer
This week Miami Beach will once again welcome the Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail, a five-day event showcasing the newest toys and gadgets from the
sailing world.
More than 2,300 exhibitors are scheduled to take part in the show and display their wares, which include the latest yachts, powerboats, engines and electronics. The
National Marine Manufacturers Association produces the show, which is the principal trade association of the recreational marine industry in the country.
“It’s always huge, so we’re expecting a lot of people and a lot of business. At last year’s show there was $600 million in sales,” said Nannette Rodriguez, media
relations officer for the City of Miami Beach. “It’s the biggest boat show in the country.”
The show is also expected to provide a boost to the city’s finances. Last year, the show brought an economic impact of $13 million for the city’s businesses, Rodriguez
said.
It’s the 62nd year that the festival is being staged here and, as usual, the city’s streets are expected to be packed with attendees driving down to the
show’s home, the Miami Beach Convention Center.
“We’re working with the organizers to set up effective traffic mitigation,” Rodriguez said. “There will also be several park and ride programs in place, and we’re
encouraging that anyone coming out to the show park in a lot and take a shuttle over to the Convention Center.”
The park and ride programs will be set up at many of the city’s parking lots between 7th and 84th Streets. Patrons will be able to pay a flat
rate that will cover both parking and bus transportation to the show. The flat rates established by the parking department—ranging between $2 and $10--are cheaper for lots further away
from the convention center, Rodriguez points out. The buses will run from one hour before the start of the event until one hour after closing.
“It will definitely be more convenient to park further away to avoid the heavy traffic,” said Rodriguez.
And traffic will definitely be heavy. Over 150,000 patrons are expected to attend the event, said boat show publicist Marichelli Heredia.
This year, the show will also feature entertainment for those not as enamored of the high seas.
“We’ll be featuring master illusionist Lawrence Gregory who’s going to make a 32-footer disappear before everyone’s eyes,” said Heredia.
“We want to help drive nighttime traffic to the Boat Show, so we’ll be throwing sunset celebrations that will feature happy hour and live entertainment,” said Heredia.
“We want to try to draw a younger crowd, and we also want to give people something to do before they hit the clubs and the rest of the Beach.”
Several seminars about boating trends and equipment are also scheduled to take place, as well as a photography competition where attendees are encouraged to bring
their favorite boating-related pictures.
Although the main portion of the show will take place at the Convention Center, visitors will also be able to test sail some of the boats at the Sealine Marina and
Yachting Center. A sailing-only exhibition will also take place at the Bayside Marketplace.
The entire schedule of events will take place from February 13th – 18th. Advance tickets are available by calling the Boat U.S. Ticket Center at
877-476-7683 or by visiting a BoatU.S. Marine Center or the Miami International Boat Show’s Web site at www.discoverboating.com/miami.
Besides the Boat Show, a second event known as The Yacht and Brokerage Boat Show, will also come to Miami Beach. For the last 15 years exhibitors have docked along
Indian Creek at the same time as the NMMA event. This year the Yacht and Brokerage Show is expected to exhibit over 400 yachts along Collins Avenue between 41st Street and 50th
Street.
For more information on the city’s park and ride program call
305-673-7575.
