BOAT SHOW ROUND-UP
STRICTLY SAIL CHICAGO REPORTS SOLID SALES ACTIVITY
The Progressive Insurance Strictly Sail Chicago show closed with reports from exhibitors of solid sales and more buyers in 2012, including steady crowds, though there was a reported 1 percent decrease in attendance over the four-day show.
“Nice turn out, we had lines every day of the show and encountered only high-quality attendees. Many sales leads and even a sale to close-out the show,” said Allen Brouwer, Beneteau Yachts.
“We had an amazing show - sold boats, have strong sales leads and noted a strong, quality crowd,” said Greg Emerson of Hunter Marine.
Catalina dealer Sue Kukuk of Nest Egg Marine added, “This was a great selling show, with great crowds and interested buyers. We sold a few boats and have had very serious interest from potential buyers.”
According to Strictly Sail Chicago producers, the show saw record TV coverage with the addition of Ocean, the largest sailboat ever to be displayed at an indoor boat show. Another big plus was the great line-up of new educational offerings, including the Strictly Sail seminars hosted by Blue Water Sailing, a Safety at Sea seminar and classes by sailing legend Jimmy Cornell.
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, which produces the show, 15,286 visitors came to Navy Pier in Chicago for the four-day show.
STRICTLY SAIL MIAMI OPENS THIS WEEK!
The Progressive Strictly Sail Miami show, which will be held at Miamarina at Bayside from February 16-20, is right around the corner.
The Progressive Strictly Sail Miami is shaping up to be a blockbuster show, reports show manager Kevin Murphy. The show has an expanded in-water section with more and bigger boats than we’ve seen in the last several years. The seminar schedule has been expanded, with more hourly seminars, more full-day paid seminars, and more interactive seminars than last year. NMMA has partnered with ASA to expand the Discover Sailing segments of the show to provide more learning opportunities.
In addition, Murphy reported the addition of a new Sailing Simulator at the Miami show, which will teach kids and newcomers to sailing how to sail. A large fan and lots of clever technology actually simulates being on the water under sail. The simulator was debuted at the Progressive Strictly Sail Chicago show, where it gained plenty of attention.
The Miami show will have some of the most sought after speakers in the industry to present up-to-date information and provide boaters of all ages and skill levels with a multitude of opportunities to get on the water and discover the excitement of the sailing lifestyle through hands-on education and adventure. Guests can register for an assortment of complimentary daily courses on topics ranging from close-quarter handling and offshore cruising, to sailing for beginners and boating safety.
Progressive Strictly Sail Miami Show Details::
When:
Thursday, Feb. 16 through Monday, Feb. 20, 2012
Thursday, Feb. 16 (Premier Thursday): 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 17 - Sunday, Feb.19: 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Monday, Feb.20: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where:
Miamarina at Bayside, 400 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
Admission:
Premier Day (Feb. 16): $35
Adults: $18
Five-day adult pass: $80
Two-day adult pass (valid Feb. 17-20): $32
Youth 15 and under get in FREE
Web:
Visitors can now pre-shop the show online at StrictlySailMiami.com; get up-to-the-minute news at www.twitter.com/MiamiBoatShow; or visit Facebook.
STRICTLY SAIL PACIFIC IS ON A ROLL
Enthusiasm and interest in the 2012 Strictly Sail Pacific Show is at an ALL TIME HIGH, with new exhibitors calling and signing up daily.
In fact, demand for space has been so strong that the second floor of the new exhibit hall is already sold out. To meet additional demand for inside space, Sail America is pleased to announce that it has secured the first floor of the Exhibit Hall to add more indoor exhibitor space.
“The new show site is the ‘best ever,’” reports Jonathan Banks, Sail America executive director. “The new building and venue have received rave reviews from exhibitors who have visited the show site. The outdoor space and exhibition area is greatly improved with a much more cohesive and concentric layout. Every exhibit will be highly visible and easily accessible. There are lawn areas and viewing areas and balconies and open areas. This new venue will create a much more festive atmosphere.”
Banks reports that many returning exhibitors are increasing the size of their exhibit space, and are planning and designing big improvements to their displays.
Preliminary in-water reservations are also ahead of 2011. Several new boat lines coming are coming to the 2012 show, joining Beneteau, J Boats, Jeanneau, Catalina, Lagoon, Hunter, Island Packes, Sabre, Schock, Seawind, Corsair and Wylie Cats. Newcomers include Hanse, Leopard, The Zen 24, a Pogo, an Open 540, Tartan, and a Tayana.
Many special interest boats will also be docking at the show, creating a broader audience appeal. Attendees will be able to step aboard a Clipper Round the World Race Boat; Spirit of the Sea (formerly Ocean Watch), which circumnavigated The Americas on its famous Scientific Journey; the Historical U.S.S. Potomac (FDR's "Floating Whitehouse"), and the educational schooner Seaward.
There will be more special events, parties and show activities than ever before. Latitudes & Attitudes is planning a major blowout for Saturday night, with live music, pizza and more. Latitude 38 will be hosting a Friday night Circumnavigators party, and a VIP event is also in the works.
The Seminar Series promises to be the best ever. In addition to an excellent lineup of free hourly seminars, Jimmy Cornell, founder of the highly successful ARC transatlantic rally and author of World Cruising Routes and Cornell’s Ocean Atlas, will make a rare U.S. appearance.
Jack London Square continues to get better. Another great restaurant has opened in the Marketplace Building, adding to the already excellent list of dining establishments.
To secure your spot in The West Coast’s best boat show, please send in your space contract today. Space will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
To reserve your space, please mail or fax your Space Application Form to:
Sail America
74 Baker Street
Warren, RI 02885
Fax (401) 289-2503.
For further information about exhibiting at Strictly Sail Pacific, please contact Mitch Perkins at mperkins@sailamerica.com or (415) 789-8844.
SAIL AMERICA ENDORSES THE SOUTH WEST INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW – THE SAILING SHOW FOR TEXAS!
South Shore Harbour Marina will once again play host to the largest in-water boat show in the Lone Star State – the South West International Boat Show, taking place March 22-25, 2012 and this year, sailing will enjoy a much higher profile, thanks to the new endorsement of Sail America.
Sail America’s endorsement provides the opportunity to expand the display of sailboats already at the show, which currently number over 40 vessels and include Jeanneau, Beneteau, Lagoon, Catalina, Hunter and Leopard, as well as introduce the new “Sail America Village” with a full range of marine electronics, products and accessories. Sail America will also offer a comprehensive seminar program taking place at the South Shore Harbour Resort Hotel, along with hosting interactive demos and free Discover Sailing sailboat rides.
“We are thrilled to help broaden the scope of sailing and focus on the sailing lifestyle at this popular show,” said Sail America Executive Director Jonathan Banks. “It is a great venue and we look forward to partnering with the show producers and the many sail-related exhibitors.”
Over 400 boats will be in-water and onshore, with pre-season savings and boat show specials including sailboats, bay boats, ski boats, sportfishers and luxury yachts.
Show organizers also announced the presenter and title sponsorship of the show as GEICO. GEICO will feature the Miss GEICO Racing Team, led by Throttle Man Scotty Begovich and will exhibit two of their offshore powerboats, the CAVEMAN and Miss GEICO, among the fastest offshore powerboats in the world.
More information:
www.southwestinternationalboatshow.com
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