The 69th annual Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Miami cruises into town February 11-15, 2010, where new and experienced boaters from throughout the world can gather in one place to view, board and buy the best the boating industry has to offer. With special deals on everything from sportfishers, sailboats and mega-yachts to engines and the newest electronics, the 2010 Miami International Boat Show is the ideal place to shop, save and enhance every boating experience.
The five-day event draws tens of thousands of visitors each year and hosts more than 2,000 exhibitors from around the world, filling the Miami Beach Convention Center and Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center with thousands of boats and hundreds of booths showcasing the latest gear and accessories. And for the first time, powerboat and sailing enthusiasts can gather in one location to see the best of everything as Strictly Sail Miami moves from its traditional venue at Miamarina at Bayside to Sea Isle Marina, joining forces with the Miami International Boat Show’s powerboat in-water portion.
“There is no other boating event in the world that provides boating enthusiasts with the opportunity to shop the best and biggest selection of boats and accessories at unprecedented deals,” noted Cathy Rick-Joule, vice president of southern shows. “With thousands of products to choose from in one of the best boating destinations, the Miami International Boat Show is THE destination to find out why life is better with a boat, continuing to give boaters something for every lifestyle and budget.”
In addition to the vast selection of boats and marine accessories for sale, there are plenty of activities boaters of all ages can enjoy throughout the five-day event.
Features of the 2010 Miami International Boat Show include:
· Affordability Pavilion – The Affordability Pavilion is returning for the 2nd year, showcasing boats for those with smaller budgets, highlighting pricing options and displaying boats that visitors can finance for $250 or less.
· Big Game Room – The Big Game Room is celebrating its 7th year as the one-stop marketplace for every angler. With new exhibits, the latest fishing products and destinations, activities and daily seminars from the pros, the Big Game Room is a must. Have a drink at the Marlin Bar while waiting for the next educational seminar to begin; take a walk over to the interactive Bait Rigging Station, where visitors can improve their rigging techniques; or try the new Chair Fighting Challenge—the Mechanical Bull of the Fishing World!
· Block Party – Celebrate the South Florida sunsets with fellow boating enthusiasts and enjoy food and drink specials from 5:00-7:00p.m., Friday, February 11, through Sunday, February 13, along Convention Center Drive at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
· Discover Boating Center – This one-stop resource for new boaters is staffed by experts who can answer any boating question and offer advice on the best course to choosing a boat that’s perfect for your lifestyle and budget.
· Miami Herald Discover Boating Photo Contest – How did you Discover Boating? Sponsored by the Miami Herald, visitors to the show are encouraged to submit their best photos of how they discovered boating for a chance to win an Adirondack Pack Boat and a $500 show shopping spree. Send them to the show office or bring them to the Discover Boating Center at the show. All entries must be received by Saturday, February 13 at 4:00p.m. Visit MiamiBoatShow.com for more details.
· Miss GEICO – Miss GEICO is back! The world’s fastest offshore racing boat, powered with the same turbine engines that flew missions in the first Gulf War and can reach speeds of more than 185 miles per hour, will dazzle any boating enthusiast with a need for speed.
· NEW! Pre-Show Shopping – The Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami’s newest online offering allows attendees to pre-shop the 2010 show for the greatest deals on the newest boats by visiting MiamiBoatShow.com or StrictlySailMiami.com. Show goers can plan ahead and search boats by brand, model and more, in addition to scheduling dealer appointments onsite or at the dealership.
Features of the 2010 Strictly Sail Miami portion of the show include:
· Author’s Corner – Stop by the Author’s Corner and visit with one of your favorite story tellers and pick up the latest adventure novels. Stop back for the 2010 list of participating authors.
· Daily Sailing Seminars – Visitors can hone their skills and receive tips for enhancing their sailing experiences through a daily series of nearly 100 free seminars led by renowned experts.
· NEW! Eric Stone Band, Live on Feb. 13 (Sea Isle Marina) – Don’t miss the Eric Stone Band live on Saturday night, February 13 during the 5th annual Latitudes & Attitudes Miami Cruiser’s Bash. Enjoy the tropical sailing sounds of the popular group on stage with free pizza and beverages. Everyone is invited! Concert goers must be inside the Strictly Sail gate on Saturday night by 6:00pm. So come early, enjoy the boat show and stay for the concert. Latitudes & Attitudes TV will be on hand to record the concert for a one-hour special to air later.
· FREE Sailboat Rides presented by Discover Sailing (Pier 5, Sea Isle Marina) – Stop by the Discover Sailing tent to experience sailing first-hand with free half-hour sails along Biscayne Bay with a skipper. Sign up early as boats fill quickly.
· Kids Aboard Boatbuilding Workshop (16th Street Festival Area) – Kids are invited to help build a 10-foot wooden boat, which will be launched to sail at the show on Monday, Feb. 15. Visit ww.kidsaboard.com for more information.
· Two Day Marine Meteorology Weather Course by Lee Chesneau – For serious skippers, Lee Chesneau’s two-day marine meteorology weather seminar series, Feb. 14-15, is a must! Chesneau’s 38 years of forecasting marine weather and strategic route planning on a global, synoptic, and local scale for mariners has been now successfully transferred to the classroom where he takes sailors step by step toward understanding both the ocean and atmospheric environment of any waters. Course fee is $325; attendees can find more information and sign up at StrictlySailMiami.com.
Show details:
When: Thursday, February 11, through Monday, February 15, 2010
Thursday, Feb. 11 (Premier Thursday): 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, Feb.12-Sunday, Feb.14: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Monday, Feb.15: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
The Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
Where: Miami Beach Convention Center
1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach
Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center
NEW FOR 2010 – Now home to Strictly Sail Miami in addition to the Miami International Boat Show’s in-water display.
1635 North Bayshore Drive, Miami
Admission: Premier Day (Feb. 11): $30
Adults: $16
Two-day adult pass (valid Feb. 12-14): $30
New! Five-day adult pass (valid Feb. 11-15): $75 – a $19 savings!
Youth (ages 13-15): $6.00
Children under 12 get in FREE
Tickets include a one-year magazine subscription to one of the following: Yachting, Motorboating, Salt Water Sportsman, Islands or Cruising World ($10.00 value)
Advance tickets can be purchased at MiamiBoatShow.com or StrictlySail.com beginning
December 1, 2009.
Parking: FREE South Beach shuttle-bus service connects show locations with more than 15,000
parking spaces.
Park and Ride service is available from the America Airlines Arena with continuous
service to both show sites. The daily rate is $10.
Info: Call (954) 441-3220 or visit MiamiBoatShow.com or StrictlySailMiami.com.