Record Year for Palm Beach Boat Show

The Palm Beach International Boat Show from 23-26 March saw the largest display of boats in the show's 32 year history, up 6% on last year, with growth in 80-100 foot yachts up by 17%. Overall attendance was up 14% on last year. 

Andrew Doole, senior VP and COO of Show Management said,

"Year over year, this show continues to grow in exhibitor participation and guest attendance, which speaks to both the strength of the boating industry and the unique, global appeal of Palm Beach as its location."

Ranked among the top five boat shows in the world, the event featured more than $1.2 billion worth of yachts and accessories, including hundreds of boats ranging from small inflatables and tenders, center consoles and sportfishers to some of the largest superyachts in the world.

The show's reputation continues to strengthen with European shipyards keen to gain access to wealthy buyers drawn to Palm Beach during the winter season and this year's new 'Superyacht Villas' show welcomed an impressive line-up of yacht builders including Amels, Feadship, Heesen, and Moonen.

Sara Gioanola, PR manager for Heesen Yachts commented, "The Palm Beach International Boat Show was a great experience. We really appreciated the quality of the visitors as well as the international press attendance. We believe this show is a fantastic display opportunity." 

The Palm Beach Inernationals Boat Show also provided a number of educational activities, including free youth fishing clinics by Hook the Future, IGFA School of Sportfishing seminars, long-range cruising clinics and on-the-water boat handling classes. The show's signature floating cocktail lounges and 'come by boat' dock were also a a big hit.

Captain Don Dingman, founder of Hook the Future, observed, "This year was better than ever before, with huge crowds enjoying the show. There were lots of future fishermen with their families who turned out for the clinics. It was great to see so many new families eager to learn the basics about fishing, as well as kids who have attended our clinics in the past."

The Palm Beach International Boat Show is owned and presented by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. (MIAPBC), managed by Show Management, and sponsored by Budweiser, Goslings, Palm Harbor Marina, Smallwood's Yachtwear, the Palm Beach Post, and Yachting Pages.

Earlier this year in March, Show Management was bought by London based Informa plc, a global business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events company. With strategic plans to expand its global exhibitions business in the US, Informa currently produces 200 industry events each year, including the Monaco Yacht Show. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100.