At the historic city docks, the Annapolis Sailboat Show this weekend brings more than 150 vessels, 500 exhibitors and a reimagined layout to one of America’s sailing capitals.
The annual show, dating back 50-plus years, features two miles of floating docks lined with multihulls, monohulls, cruisers, racers and dinghies. More than 30,000 visitors are expected.
Show tents feature the latest in nautical gear and accessories, electronics, communication equipment, sails, rigging, education, charter companies and clubs.
“We have 79 monohulls and over 40 multihulls, which are just a few down from last year’s show,” Sheila Jones, Annapolis Boat Shows general manager, told editor-in-chief David Gee in a video interview. “Our attendance and our demographics have been stable over the years. But we are seeing a lot more women and diversity, which we want.”
The show’s communications coordinator said exhibitors are showing greater diversity in their messaging and promotion platforms.
“The big thing that has changed is how exhibitors are capitalizing on new media,” said Ryan Gullang, who has been with Annapolis Boat Shows for three years. “They’ve been working a lot more with influencers and taking better advantage of social media. Legacy print still has a place, but exhibitors are definitely embracing digital more, as well.”
