Palm Beach International Boat Show 2016
2016 edition up 8 percent
An industry panel discussion was part of a media breakfast event prior to the show's opening (NPBL Photo)
By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life/ [email protected] WEST PALM BEACH _The 31st edition of the Palm Beach International Boat Show is under way, with Show Management President Efrem Zimbalist III announcing this year's edition is 8 percent bigger than last year. Indeed, a large portion of Flagler Drive and the downtown West Palm waterfront is a sea of boats; from the very big, like the 252-foot Silver Fast, to the very small, like the eight-foot model from Nautical Ventures. Visitors will also find exhibitors showcasing every aspect of the marine industry, as well as special demonstrations and activities for kids. It all kicked off with a media event that included a welcome from the mayor of West Palm Beach, Jeri Muoio, and an industry panel discussion. Moderated by Michael Kennedy, board president of the Marine Industries Association, the panelists talked about the issues and economic impact associated with boating. Chuck Collins, executive director of the MIA, pointed out boating has "an enormous economic impact" on Palm Beach County, accounting for "18,000 jobs and $1.8 billion annually." The Boat Show, Collins said, is like the Super Bowl of marine events. Collins also voiced a concern shared by the other panelists: "We need a trained workforce and to maintain access," he said. Steve Moynihan, founder and owner of HMY Yachts, talked about the need to "remove barriers" and get more young people involved in boating . Consultant John Sprague echoed the problem of providing adequate water access. With the lack of new marinas coming online, Sprague pointed out condos are the only source of new slips. "Where are boats going to go?" he asked. Tom Duncan, president of Keiser Flagship Campus in West Palm Beach, addressed the issue of maintaining the workforce who will maintenance and service boats going forward. Toward that end, Duncan announced Keiser is implementing a new undergraduate degree program in "Boats, Yachts and Marina Management," along with "Ocean Shipping and Port Management," starting in January. "If we don't have the techs, we won't have boats," Duncan said. With its huge impact on South Florida's economy, that's something we can all get behind. About the Boat ShowSource: Press Release
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The 31st annual Palm Beach International Boat Show sails into West Palm Beach from March 17 to March 20. One of the top five boat shows in the United States, the show features yachts, boats and nautical accessories totaling more than $1.2 billion from leading marine companies and manufacturers from across the globe. The show displays hundreds of vessels from small inflatables and personal watercraft to fishing boats and superyachts reaching nearly 300 feet in length. Featuring marine accessories of all types, exotic cars, all-terrain vehicles, live music, floating cocktail barges, fishing seminars and more, the 31st annual Palm Beach International Boat Show is a must-do event for outdoor-enthusiasts of all ages. Discover the AquaZone After its massive success at the 2015 show, AquaZone returns to Palm Beach for its second year of in-water demonstrations and hands-on testing of watersports products and toys in its 60-foot by 30-foot, 40,000 gallon inflatable freshwater pool. Presented by Nautical Ventures Marine Superstore, AquaZone exhibits professional demonstrations of paddleboards, kayaks, rafts, a two-person hovercraft, water-jetpacks and the Jetblade, a board capable of propelling its user up to 30 feet in the air using water propulsion. AquaZone is located at the Meyer Amphitheater field between Datura and Evernia streets. Additionally, two Seabreachers will be on display at the show. Designed to look like a hammerhead shark and a sailfish, the Seabreachers are state-of-the-art recreational watercrafts capable of maneuvering through the water like no other. In addition to diving under the water and breaching the surface, the Seabreacher can carve left and right, jump over and cut though the waves. It is capable of speeds up to 25 miles per hour underwater and up to 50 miles per hour on the surface! The two watercrafts will be exhibited by Nautical Ventures next to AquaZone. Family-Friendly Activities For fishing enthusiasts, the show offers IGFA School of Sportfishing seminars located at the Meyer Amphitheater field. Fourteen seminars offer anglers a unique opportunity to learn the skills, information, and techniques necessary to maximize their overall success on the water from the area’s best captains and most experienced fishermen. For the fledgling fishing boys and girls in the family, free Kids’ Fishing Clinics are available for children ages four to 16 and feature lessons about basic fishing techniques from Captain Don Dingman. Presented by Hook the Future and The Palm Beach Post, the hands-on interactive lessons include selecting tackle and lures, casting a rod, reeling in a fish, fishing ethics and more. Upon completion of all learning stations, participants are eligible to win special prizes. Participants will receive a free rod and reel combo, while supplies last, and a commemorative t-shirt courtesy of The Palm Beach Post. Clinics take place Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20 at noon and 2 p.m. at the Meyer Amphitheater field. As Dr. Seuss once said in the iconic One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, “if you never did, you should. These things are fun. And Fun is good!” About the Palm Beach International Boat Show The Palm Beach International Boat Show is owned and presented by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. (MIAPBC), managed and produced by Show Management and sponsored by Budweiser, GEICO, Gosling's Rum, Palm Harbor Marina, Smallwoods Yachtwear, the Palm Beach Post and Yachting Pages. For information regarding parking, transportation, exhibitors, boats and more, visit ShowManagement.com or download the show’s free smartphone app, MyBoatShow, available on iOS and Android devices. Follow the Palm Beach International Boat Show on Twitter at twitter.com/boatshowupdates, tune into Boat Show TV at youtube.com/showmanagement, and like the show on Facebook at facebook.com/PalmBeachInternationalBoatShow. Tickets for the show can be purchased online at ShowManagement.com or at the show’s onsite box offices, which accept cash only. ATMs are located nearby. |
Getting to the Show
Parking is available within walking distance of the show at various municipal parking garages and privately operated lots throughout downtown West Palm Beach. Additionally, Come-by-Boat docks allow guests to arrive by water and dock for free just south of the in-water displays. Entrances to the show are located on Flagler Drive at Lakeview Avenue, Evernia Street, Clematis Street and Banyan Boulevard. Tickets for the show can be purchased online at ShowManagement.com or at the show’s onsite box offices, which accept cash only. ATMs are located nearby. Show Schedule: Admission: Thursday, March 17 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. Adults $21 Friday, March 18 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Children (6-15) $11 Saturday, March 19 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Children under 6 Free Sunday, March 20 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Opening Day Photos |
