EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER

SAIL AMERICA ANNOUNCES KEY PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SOUTHWEST INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

By Jonathan Banks
Executive Director

I'm pleased to announce that Sail America recently reached an agreement to endorse the Southwest International Boat Show (SWIBS), which will be held at South Shore Harbour Marina, Houston, Texas from from March 22-25, 2012 Texas.

As part of the Endorsement Agreement, Sail America will endorse and promote the show, assist with space sales, manage the seminar series, run a Discover Sailing program, and help with special events. Sail America will create a “Sail America Village,” which is a new concept and something we hope to expand and offer at other shows. The goal for the “Sail America Village” is to create a critical mass of sailboats and sailing-related exhibitors, as well as sailing activities, education and entertainment. This will help increase attendance and space sales, and will create a more appealing, attractive and exciting show.

This latest partnership with SWIBS adds to the number of strategic partnerships Sail America has with boat show producers around the country, including the NMMA, NCMA, and Show Management. The goal of these partnerships is to create a stronger presence for sailing at boat shows and help grow the sailing market.

Sail America currently owns and operates Strictly Sail Pacific, co-produces the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show with Show Management, and endorses and promotes NMMA’s Strictly Sail Chicago and Strictly Sail Miami shows. In addition, Sail America is working closely with the United States Yacht Shows to bring new features to the Annapolis Sailboat Show (e.g. Best in Show Awards) and is looking to get more involved with SCMA’s Long Beach Show.

Over the years, Sail America has produced many of the of the top sailboat shows in the country and is able to offer show producers a wealth of expertise as well as access to unique resources (e.g. exhibitors, the Discover Sailing mailing list, seminar speakers, etc.).

The South West International Boat Show, now in its fourth year, is the largest in-water boat show in Houston and the Lone Star State. With Sail America’s endorsement and GEICO’s sponsorship, the show is going from strength to strength.

There were approximately 30 new and pre-owned sailboats at the 2011 show, including Jeanneau, Hunter, Beneteau, Catalina and Lagoon.  In 2012, Sail America will help expand the number of sailboats on display and will attract new exhibitors to the “Sail America Village.”

For further information, please visit www.southwestinternationalboatshow.com

Please contact me at jbanks@sailamerica.com if you would like to learn more about SWIBS or would like to discuss future boat show partnerships.

Thank you,

Jonathan Banks
Executive Director
Sail America

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