BOAT SHOW ROUND-UP

St. Pete Power & Sailboat Show Plans Announced …

The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, the largest boat show on Florida’s Gulf Coast, will sail into the Progress Energy Center for the Arts, Mahaffey Theatre Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park in St. Petersburg, Florida, December 1-4, 2011. Once again, Sail America is partnering with Show Management to promote sailing’s presence at the show.

The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show is the largest boat show on the Gulf Coast. This year’s show will feature an impressive selection of power boats and sailboats in the water and on land, including a 40,000-square-foot clearspan tent housing all types of marine gear.

Sail America is working closely with Show Management to grow sailing participation at the show. Sail America will manage the popular Sail America Seminar Series, featuring well-known sailing seminar presenters who will present more 70 seminars during the show. Sail America will also run Discover Sailing, an introduction to sail program that offers showgoers a 45-minute free introductory sail. A show favorite, the Latitudes & Attitudes Cruisers’ Bash will be in full swing on the Saturday night of the show, with cruisers coming from near and far to participate in this annual celebration of the cruising lifestyle.

“The combined St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show is now in its fourth year,” said Jonathan Banks, Executive Director, Sail America. “The partnership between Show Management and Sail America has been a win win for exhibitors and attendees alike, with Sail America helping create a critical mass of sailing exhibitors and sailing events. The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show has become a strong regional show and we encourage our members to exhibit.”

Contracts have already been sent out to past exhibitors and prospects. For more information call (800) 940-7642 or visit ShowManagement.com

For further information about exhibiting at the show please contact Chris Fleming at cfleming@showmanagement.com or (954) 764-7642.

Thursday, Dec. 1		10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 2		10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 3		10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 4		10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

36TH Annual Norwalk Boat Show Coming Soon

The Northeast’s premier in-water boat show cruises into the seaside town of Norwalk, CT September 23 – 25, 2011, to give boating novices and lifelong enthusiasts the chance to see and shop the best in boating, stay “current” on must-have gadgets and gear, experience on-the-water educational courses and activities on Long Island Sound through the new Discover Boating Resource Center, and – GREAT NEWS – go full sail at the new SAILFest.

“While the Norwalk Boat Show has always had a sailing presence, it has never had a true ‘show within a show’ for sailing enthusiasts. Because Norwalk is an ideal location for sailors throughout the region to gather and also serves as favorite on-the-water destination for enthusiasts along Long Island Sound, creating a bigger SAILFest and making the Norwalk show an annual favorite among sailors seemed like the natural next step,” said Strictly Sail National Show Manager Kevin Murphy.

“In addition to more sailboats and accessories, we’re enhancing the Discover Sailing program with a variety of on-the-water training for sailors of all experience levels and adding more sailing seminars including the Premier Diesel Training class, making the Norwalk Boat Show the northeast’s best in-water sailing education destination,” he added.

One highlight sure to please is the return of the famous Latitude & Attitude’s Cruiser’s Bash featuring live music by Eric Stone.

Another major draw is the appearance of Abbey Sunderland, the teen who at the age of 16 set sail from Marina Del Ray, CA in a quest to become the youngest solo sailor ever to circumnavigate the globe. Sunderland will share her experiences, plus be on hand for photos and autograph sessions promoting her new book, "Unsinkable: A Young Woman's Courageous Battle on the High Seas."

Another new offering is the ‘All Hands on Deck’ at the Discover Boating Resource Center where show-goers of all ages can take advantage of a variety of FREE interactive and educational on-the-water programs to hone their boating skills. Courses include an introduction to sailing, close quarter boat handling and more.

Click here to go to the Norwalk Boat Show Website.

Sail America and Annapolis/United States Sailboat Show to Co-Sponsor “Best in Show” Awards for 2011

Last year saw the exciting debut of the “Best in Show” awards at the Annapolis/United States Sailboat Show, with a handful of top exhibitors taking home the glory and bragging rights for the inaugural competition. And once again, the competition is heating up as more sailing exhibitors vie for the gold and industry acclaim once again at the 2011 Annapolis Show.

“The Best in Show Awards are designed to recognize exhibitors for marketing excellence in presenting their products and services at the United States Sailboat Show,” said Sail America Executive Director Jonathan Banks. “Last year’s event established the benchmark, so we’re looking for even better exhibitor participation this year.”

Sail America will be judging the contest with the help of four independent judges who will use the following criteria to select the winners:

• The display projects a quality image – attractive, clean and well lit.
• The display creates a positive sailing lifestyle image.
• The display is inviting and accessible to attendees.
• There is good traffic control with systems in place to register prospects.
• Staff is attentive and professional.
• There is consistent branding throughout the display (i.e. booth design, collateral, signage, staff attire, etc.).

There will be an overall “Best in Show” winner and prizes will be awarded in the following four categories:

1. Best Booth Display – 200 square feet and under
2. Best Booth Display – Over 200 square feet
3. Best Boat Display – Fewer than 5 boats
4. Best Boat Display – Five or more boats

Winners will be announced during the Sail America Members Meeting being held at the Marriott Hotel on Friday, October 7 at 8:00 am.

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