Upgrades Planned for Miami International Boat Show

Building on its 2016 success, the Progressive® Insurance Miami International Boat Show®, which marks it second year at Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin on Feb. 16-20, will unveil a number of enhancements in 2017 — from transportation and product offerings to food and beverage.

Several improvements are also planned for the Yachts Miami Beach show on Collins Avenue, which takes place at the same time. 

Highlights and enhancements include:

More boats in the water: NMMA anticipates more than 1,300 new boats on display with more new model debuts than ever before. The number of boats in-water is expanding 35 percent to an estimated 550 boats and yachts.

New caterer selected: The 2017 Miami Boat Show has selected Great Performances, caterer for world-class events such as the Miami Open, and will feature a variety of new dining options. Great Performances is expanding its relationships with Miami restaurant favorites, such as The Knife Steakhouse, Latin Café, Puntino Pizza and Sushi Maki, to establish on-site eateries, in addition to operating its own proprietary concepts, reflecting its commitment to the use of fresh, local ingredients and Miami’s rich culinary culture.

More large yachts and new VIP experience: The Miami Boat Show is launching a new yacht and VIP experience, featuring more than 100 new luxury yachts, making it one of the largest yachting exhibitions in the country. Attendees seeking the VIP treatment also will have access to everything from premium bites and live music, to concierge services, VIP parking, and an exclusive on-water VIP lounge aboard the 111-foot Biscayne Lady.

More Strictly Sail: Strictly Sail Miami, docking again at Miamarina at Bayside, will feature approximately 130 sailboats, a large selection of sailing and power catamarans, dozens of daily seminars, and the newest sailing gear. Visitors to the Miami Boat Show can access Strictly Sail Miami by free water taxis or shuttle buses, running until 7 p.m. daily.

More parking and transportation options: An estimated 80 percent of attendees parked at designated offsite locations and traveled to the show via shuttle bus or water taxi last year. Due to demand and overwhelming popularity of the show’s park and ride options around Miami, factoring in experience from the first year at Miami Marine Stadium, the show has improved its transportation plan with changes including:

• Water taxis: The show will increase the number of water taxis by more than 47 percent in 2017. In addition, the capacity of water taxis will increase, holding from 50 to 350 people, larger than most of the water taxis used during the 2016 show. Water taxi pick-up and drop-off locations will be streamlined from seven to four – American Airlines Arena, the Hyatt in downtown Miami, the W Hotel (formerly Viceroy) in downtown Miami on Brickell, and Bayfront Park (Strictly Sail location) – to meet the high demand for water transportation. 
• Shuttle buses: Dozens of shuttle buses will circulate at all times from fewer locations than in 2016 to provide a more efficient transportation experience — getting more people to and from the show in less time. There are four departure locations throughout downtown Miami — Marlins Park, American Airlines Arena, the Hyatt in downtown Miami, and Bayfront Park (Strictly Sail location). An expanded shuttle service will also run between the Miami Boat Show and the Yachts Miami Beach show on Collins Avenue. What’s more, there will be new minibuses transporting showgoers to and from parking on Virginia Key that will operate with a direct route to and from the show’s front entrance rather than looping around the entire Rickenbacker Causeway.
• Parking: Abundant parking options with an estimated 10,000 parking spaces, will again be available for show attendees in downtown Miami with easy access to water taxis and shuttle buses. Downtown lots include Marlins Park and American Airlines Arena. Reserve parking ahead of time at MiamiBoatShow.com.
  Convenient parking on Virginia Key will again be available and can be reserved and prepaid in advance at MiamiBoatShow.com. Parking on Virginia Key will be designated in four key lots with general parking, exhibitor parking, new VIP & handicapped parking at the Miami Seaquarium, and valet parking near Whiskey Joe’s.

To learn more about boats that will be in the Miami boat shows, contact 954.763.3971 or Sales@denisonyachtsales.com.