A boat show is returning to the Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key in South Florida. The SoFlo Boat Show debuts at the historic venue May 19-23.
In 2022, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Informa Markets moved the Miami International Boat Show from the Marine Stadium back to the traditional multivenue format that includes the Miami Beach Convention Center and Sea Isle Marina.
“When NMMA moved out of the Marine Stadium, I said I’m going to do a boat show here and capture more of the lifestyle element of boating,” Tony Albelo, CEO of EngageLive in Miami, told Trade Only Today.
EngageLive produces such events as the Coconut Grove Art Festival and New Year’s Eve Downtown Miami.
“I want to create something that takes elements of the summer show and some elements we’re good at, like entertainment, and we’ll create a small version that is more fun that we can grow over time,” Albelo said.
He said the 49 slips at the Marine Stadium are sold out, and that there is a waiting list. There also will be an air-conditioned tent for land-based exhibitors. The boats on display will be from a mix of dealers and local builders. Also, Nautical Ventures will have an Aquazone watersports pool at the show.
Show details are laid out in a statement from EngageLive.
EngageLive has a year-to-year May lease for the stadium that gives the group the right of first refusal.
Those who buy a boat at the show will receive 100 gallons of Shoreline Marine Fuel. Anyone who purchases a ticket for the show will have an opportunity to win an Icon golf cart.
