Following the successful Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show in February, where builders as well as brokers announced the return of qualified buyers and impressively strong sales, the 27th Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show signals marine industry growth after selling out all the exhibit space for a larger show than ever before.
Palm Beach International Boat Show Map
The spectacular yachting event takes place March 22 through March 25, 2012 along scenic Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach and will feature hundreds of boats ranging from small inflatables and center consoles to fishing boats and super-yachts over 150 feet.
With the addition of 40 in-water slips at Palm Harbor Marinaat the show’s north end, this year’s event will feature more mega-yachts than in years past, in addition to a larger number of smaller boats in the expanded land display area. Space in the exhibit tents also is on track to sell out.
“This is looking to be a very strong show,” said Dane Graziano, senior vice president and COO of Show Management. “Exhibitor feedback from the Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show was very positive and we expect Palm Beach to follow suit.”
The 27th Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show transforms downtown West Pam Beach into a total showcase of the boating lifestyle. One of the top ten boat shows in the nation, the show features more than $350 million worth of boats, yachts and accessories from the world’s leading marine manufacturers.
TrawlerPort
New to this year’s show is TrawlerPort, a show-within-a -show. TrawlerPort will offer an impressive display of the long-range cruisers called Trawlers, offered in lengths ranging from 35 to 90 feet and built for long-term cruising of regional and worldwide destinations.
MyBoatShow App
Also new to this year’s Palm Beach International Boat Show is MyBoatShow, the show’s new smartphone app. Officially launched at the 2011 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show® with tremendous success, the free app, available on iPhone and Android platforms, is designed to help navigate the show’s docks, land areas and tents. Attendees are able to access show maps and search for exhibitors, manufacturers, product categories and boats by specifications and size. The app, which will be available for all Show Management produced boat shows, also provides the show schedule, seminar information, maps, food and drink locations, restroom locations and emergency services.
Seminars and Events for All Ages
In addition to the wide selection of watercraft, marine accessories, refreshments and live musical entertainment, the show offers special events and fun and educational activities for boaters of all ages. The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) School of Sportfishing presents “mini-sessions” with some of the area’s best captains and professional anglers who will share sportfishing’s hottest tips and tricks. Don Dingman, host and founder of the non-profit Hook The Future, will host his always popular Kids Fishing Clinics for little anglers ages four to 16 on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25 at noon and 2 p.m. in the Meyer Amphitheater field. There will be raffles and prizes and the first 50 kids to arrive to each session will receive a commemorative t-shirt from the Palm Beach Post. Each session runs approximately 45 minutes.
Parking, Transportation and Come-by-Boat Docks
The 27th Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show takes places along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. Show entrances are located on Flagler Drive at Evernia Street and at North Clematis Street. Various municipal parking garages and privately operated lots are located throughout downtown West Palm Beach, most of which are within walking distance to one of the two show entrances. Guests are also invited to come by boat and may tie up to the free Come-by-Boat docks located south of the in-water displays.
Sponsors
The Palm Beach International Boat Show is owned and sponsored by Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. (MIAPBC), managed and produced by Show Management, and sponsored by Boat Show Hotels, Boat Quest, Budweiser, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hook the Future, IGFA School of Sportfishing, Palm Harbor Marina, The Palm Beach Post, Pioneer Linens, Rums of Puerto Rico, TrawlerPort, Yachts International, Smallwoods Yachtwear and Power & Motoryacht.
Boat Show Schedule
Thursday, March 22, 2012 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, March 23, 2012 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 24, 2012 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 25, 2012 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Boat Show Admission
Adults $14 at the gate; $12 online
Children (Ages 6-15) $5 at gate; $3 online
Children under 6 Free
