The 28th annual Palm Beach International Boat Show, one of the top ten boat shows in the country, will showcase a spectacular display of more than $1 billion worth of yachts, boats and accessories from the world’s leading marine manufacturers. From March 21 – 24, 2013, buyers and sellers from around the world gather along the scenic Lake Worth Lagoon overlooking fashionable Palm Beach, where hundreds of boats ranging from small inflatables and center consoles to fishing boats and superyachts over 200 feet are on display.
An economic impact study following the 2012 show, commissioned by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County and Show Management, calculated its economic impact on the State of Florida was $91.6 million, generating $2.8 million in State excise and sales taxes. Beyond South Florida, marine businesses are a major industry nationwide, serving 82 million boaters and accounting for 350,000 jobs throughout the U.S., according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
This year, attendees are invited to submit their best Instagram photos while attending the Palm Beach International Boat Show by tagging them with #PalmBeachBoatShow and be entered to win a one-year subscription to any of the following AIM Media Marine publications: PassageMaker; Power & Motoryacht; Soundings; Soundings Trade Only and Yachts International. Photos tagged with the word #PalmBeachBoatShow will automatically be uploaded to the Palm Beach International Boat Show Facebook page. The top five photos with the most likes will have a chance to pick their magazine of choice for a free one-year subscription. Photos posted to Palm Beach International Boat Show Facebook page also will be accepted.
This year’s new attractions include a Zeki Swimwear fashion show on Friday and Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and live musical entertainment by the Captain Harry band on the Meyer Amphitheatre stage. Other special events and educational activities include IGFA School of Sportfishing seminars and youth fishing clinics presented by the non-profit Hook The Future, open to all kids ages four to16. The first 50 kids will receive a free rod/reel set and a commemorative t-shirt.
In addition to convenient land access and parking in West Palm Beach within walking distance of the show, guests also are invited to come by boat and tie up to the free Come-by-Boat docks located south of the in-water displays.
Navigating the 28th annual Palm Beach International Boat Show will be easier than ever before thanks to recent enhancements to the MyBoatShow smartphone app designed to help navigate the show’s docks, land area tents and transportation.
The Palm Beach International Boat Show is owned and sponsored by Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc., managed and produced by Show Management and sponsored by Lincoln, Budweiser, Goslings, Yachts International Magazine, Palm Harbor Marina, BoatQuest.com, Power & Motoryacht Magazine, Smallwoods, International Game Fish Association (IGFA) School of Sportfishing, Hook the Future, The Palm Beach Post, Identity Travel, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and TrawlerPort. For more information including parking and transportation maps, visit ShowManagement.com or call (954) 764-7642 or (800) 940-7642.