About once every two weeks, the editorial and production teams from the Active Interest Media Marine Group, Soundings Trade Only’s parent company, gather around a virtual watercooler. We discuss what’s happening with our publications, the marine industry and world events that relate to our editorial content and mission. At one such meeting in late July, the subject of boat shows came up. “Wait, what? It feels like we’re barely into summer, and we’re talking fall shows?” one editor said. Indeed, it would be months before the show gates opened.
It just goes to show you how much time and planning go into these events, even from the standpoint of covering them editorially. Year after year, I am impressed with how hard the industry and our magazines work to put on and report these spectacular events that have such deep impacts.
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, for example, had a statewide economic impact of $1.79 billion and attracted 100,000 attendees in 2021, according to an analysis by Thomas J. Murray & Associates. The study also revealed $899 million in direct sales during the five days of the show ($179.8 million per day) and $85.4 million in sales-tax benefit to the state of Florida, with $24.5 million going to Broward County alone. To see what’s on tap for this year’s show, and how exhibitors and planners are hoping to woo prospective buyers, read senior editor Eric Colby’s coverage on Page 38.
Even regional shows, such as the Annapolis sail and power shows in Maryland, catalyze a deep infusion of cash to the local economy, having contributed $112 million in stimulation in 2019, according to show organizers. That includes more than $500,000 in rent the show pays to the city. Colby also reports on this show, and the Newport International Boat Show, starting on Page 40.
Equally important are the international shows, including the Cannes Yachting Festival and Southampton International Boat Show, both of which kick off in mid-September. The Cannes show last year welcomed 54,000 people who had the chance to see more than 650 boats, both power and sail, according to show organizers. Southampton, Britain’s biggest show, opens the same week. In 2022, it displayed more than 650 boats and hosted 167 U.K. and world debuts. Learn more about both shows by reading Kim Kavin’s reporting starting on Page 42.
There’s also the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference in October, and Metstrade in mid-November. These are two of the largest — and most important — recreational marine trade shows on the planet. This year, we again interviewed show directors Niels Klarenbeek (Page 14) and Anne Dunbar (Page 46) to gain perspective about how their respective shows — and our industry — are navigating the post-pandemic world. Both organizers say they are expecting a sellout of exhibitor space and record attendance this year. That’s good news for all of us.
This year marks the 33rd boat-show season since I began my career in the marine industry. Covering these shows is hard work, but each year feels new and unexplored, and I still get amped to see longtime industry friends and publishing colleagues. I imagine that’s a feeling shared across all industry segments. And I’m excited to see, touch and use the new boats and gear that will debut at the shows. It’s the best way to get a pulse on how innovation and technology are helping to grow the industry and make boating easier.
Perhaps the most important (and interesting) part of the shows is networking and meeting new people. This is how we plant the seeds for the stories and original reporting we’ll feature in upcoming issues of Soundings Trade Only. It doesn’t matter which show it is; I always come home with a notebook full of ideas that I’m eager to talk about in our biweekly editorial meetings.
See you all on the docks.
This article was originally published in the September 2023 issue.
