9:29 PM Tue 22 Dec 2009 GMT
|
|
'Queensland manufacturer Riviera has been a regular exhibitor at the Miami International Boat Show.'
Miami Beach Tourism
Click Here to view large photo
|
Well, my air tickets and accommodation are booked and it's only a few weeks before I head out for my almost annual journey to Florida and the Miami International Boat Show.
Set for February 11-15, the Miami show, despite a disappointing fall in attendance due primarily to the global financial crisis, remains a vitally important exhibition, particularly as far as the US boating industry is concerned.
Miami is the show chosen by America's boat builders, engine and marine product manufacturers to unveil and launch new products for the coming boating season.
It is the major exhibition staged in the US by the powerful NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association) and for exhibitors a successful Miami show means a profitable year ahead.
Many Australians are among the regular visitors, with some, such as Maritimo, Seawind Catamarans and Riviera always hosting excellent displays, while others not involved with exhibits attend to keep up with the latest releases.
Once the world's largest boat show, Miami can no longer claim that title, but that has not lessened its importance.
Believe me, it's a major event.
Up to 100,000 can be counted on to add to the gate takings, with the two show sites, the Miami Beach Convention Centre and the Sea Isle Marina at Miami linked daily by non-stop shuttle buses.
In terms of exhibitors numbers, the show dwarfs Australian exhibitions; Queensland's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show claims about 400 exhibitors; the Sydney International Boat Show slightly in excess of 300 (however, its venue, Darling Harbour, simply does not have space for more).
This year, the Miami show will attract more than 2100 exhibitors displaying their goods and services.
There will be 3000-plus boats on display.
More than 9000 people will be involved in the staging and operation of the show over its five-days, generating more than USD$817 million in gross sales and salaries.
It is certainly a far cry from the inaugural show staged in 1941 in a tent at Miami's Bayside Park which attracted 50 exhibitors!
Headquarters for the show, the Miami Beach Convention Centre, boasts 2.5 million square feet of exhibition space.
More than one million square feet of carpet, enough to cover 20 football fields, is used within the complex.
Regular visitors will notice a major change to the show for 2010; the Strictly Sail exhibition, normally staged at Miamarina at Bayside has been moved into the Sea Isle Marina, joining forces with the massive in-water powerboat display.
I'll be at the show for the five days and have already been invited to a number of interesting (to say the least!) product launches.
So if you don't make it to Florida, no problem, you will be able to 'cruise through the show' right here on Powerboat-World.
by Bob Wonders
|
Double Is Pt, QLD
