Show Management has announced commitments from key exhibitors for the very first Panama International Boat Show. The event is expected to run at the Flamenco Marina on Flamenco Island in the fabulous Central America yacht charter destination – Panama from June 20 through June 22, 2014.
Confirmed to date are Sanlorenzo; HMY Yachts; Evermarine representing Benetti, Azimut, Bertram, Tiara and Boston Whaler; Galati Yacht Sales; Maspor Marine representing Pursuit, Rampage, Tiara, Jupiter, Cruisers, Spencer and Princess; Novey Marine representing Viking, Luhrs and Silverton; Andromeda representing Riviera, Belize and Lagoon; Intrepid Powerboats; Outer Reef Yachts; and Quality Yachts representing Ferretti, Mochi Craft, Pershing, Cobia, Rinker, Cobalt, Scout, Monterey and Formula.
“Being part of the inaugural Panama International Boat Show is an excellent opportunity to attract new clients, while also enhancing our profile on a global scale,” said Nellys Martínez of Evermarine. “In addition to representing prestigious luxury yacht manufacturers including Benetti and Azimut, as well as sport fishing yachts including Viking, Bertram and Tiara, we will have a variety of options in the small fishing boat category from renowned brands such as Boston Whaler and Robalo and a great selection of pre-owned boats. There will something for everyone and every budget.”
Many exhibitors cite the growth of yachting in the region as the reason why they have made the decision to participate in the inaugural event.
“We’ve decided to exhibit at the Panama show for several reasons,” said Boomer Jousma, sales executive and boat show coordinator with Sanlorenzo, a company that is actively looking to expand its product across all of the Americas. “There has been a significant increase in sales over the past two years in the Central and South American markets. We will be delivering a new SL 94 yacht to a client in August.”
“We believe there is unmet demand for boats, particularly in the 30-to-60-foot range, with few dealers that cater to this segment of the market in Central America,” said Efrem “Skip” Zimbalist III, CEO of Show Management, which also produces the world-famous Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show®, the Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach, the Palm Beach International Boat Show, the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, and the Suncoast Boat Show in Sarasota.
“Panama is an excellent location for a boat show,” Zimbalist said, “with its economic and political stability, favorable tax policies and its appeal to high net worth visitors.”
With enthusiastic support from the Ministry of Tourism and the Maritime Administration, show organizers plan to cater to buyers from Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela, among other countries in Central and South America.
Conveniently located near downtown Panama City, Flamenco Marina is a flourishing tourist attraction with a wide range of marina amenities, including 238 slips protected by two breakwaters, a dry-stack facility, 24-hour security, marine firefighters on site, a fuel dock with low sulfur diesel and non-ethanol gasoline, disposal of foreign garbage, Wi-Fi, nine onsite restaurants, transportation assistance, fishing and private trip charter services, bilingual staff, and onsite government offices. A new section of the marina has been earmarked for the boat show.
The Panama International Boat Show is sponsored by AutoStar, Flamenco Marina, Fuerte Amador Resort & Marina, Panama Fishing Magazine, Nevegante TV, Panama The Way, BoatShowHotels and AIM Marine Group.
