It’s Showtime!

The fall boat show season soon will get underway in the Midwest, South, New England and Mid Atlantic.

By Norm Schultz

August 22, 2023

The Marine Industry Association of Central Florida recently staged a successful Orlando Boat Show in the Orlando Convention Center. The show featured 20 central Florida dealers representing more than 80 manufacturers with some 400 boats on display.

“We enjoyed a steady flow of both new and avid boaters all three days,” reported Cathy Case, executive director of the MIACF. “We extensively promoted the extra incentives being offered by dealers and manufacturers at the show, and many attendees said they were there because of the promotions.”

The promotional offers included such things as extended warranties, special service packages, waived docking fees, and the latest in added accessories and gear, to note a few.

Another high point was an increase in families attending the show, as evidenced by the packed house for the debut of the “Hook the Future” Kid’s Fishing Clinic. It was hosted by Capt. Don Dingman. “This success was a clear indication of the continued interest in the family boating lifestyle, and it generated positive excitement for the next generation of boaters,” Case emphasized.

“It was a busy weekend for us,” said Joe Lewis from the Mt. Dora Boating Center. “We definitely needed the show to hype our boat sales and it delivered. And reports from some of the other dealers I talked to were just as positive,” he added.

Jeff Husby, president of both MIACF and Regal & Nautique of Orlando, echoed the positive news. “We went into the show offering great deals on 2023 models and got the response we were hoping for,” he said. “It was very good.”

The traditional post Labor Day kick-off of the industry’s fall show circuit is set to start in Daytona Beach, Fla., pass through the Great Lakes, and end up back in Florida by late fall.

It all begins in just three weeks when the MIACF rolls out its Daytona Boat Show, Sept. 8-10, at the Ocean Center. This popular show is slated to feature 14 Central Florida’s dealers with an anticipated 300 boats on display, plus accessory and service exhibitors.

The next week, (Sept. 14-17) the focus shifts to the Great Lakes region for the Progressive Metro Boat Show on Lake St. Clair in Harrison Township near Detroit, Mich. The Newport International Boat Show rolls into town on the same dates in Newport, R.I.

As one of the industry’s longest standing fall in-water shows, the Metro Boat Show is produced by the Michigan Boating Industries Association at the popular Lake St. Clair Metropark.

This show is a boat and outdoor recreation show featuring hundreds of boats on land and in-water up 60 feet, along with many other outdoor recreation exhibits. The event attracts large daily crowds of outdoor-minded individuals from Michigan and surrounding states.

Among the special show features will be appearances by Bravo TV star, Daisy Kelliher, known for her role as Chief Stew in the hit show “Below Deck Sailing.” Also premiering is a unique Children’s Entrepreneur Market boasting booths with products made and sold by young entrepreneurs ages 5-16; plus, live musical entertainment in the Tiki Bar; selected food truck rally; and more.

Of course, the big boy shows also kick off during this time. The Annapolis Power and Sailboat shows pull into downtown Annapolis’ Ego Alley Oct. 5-8 and Oct. 12-15, respectively.

After a short break, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat show gets underway Oct. 25-29.

As boat sales trend normalize following the pandemic, dealers will be looking to these in-person shows to solidify their year-end sales and create relationships for the new year.