Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show – November 2011

The Fort Lauderdale Boat Show is the “granddaddy” of all boat shows.  The venue is so large that it is held in five separate locations with so many boats and accessory vendors that most of the attendees will never get around to seeing the majority of the boats or accessory booths. Booth prices are the highest I have ever seen, and I’ve done a lot of shows over the past ten years.  First time vendors to the show are usually required to exhibit at the convention center, which is the cheapest booth space available, for a reason.  Some vendors I talked to indicated that they didn’t even cover there expenses and certainly wouldn’t be back next year.  The show has gotten smaller and the costs keep going up, but the people keep coming.  It seems that a lot of vendors feel that they just have to maintain a presence at the show no matter what the financial outcome.  I personally don’t get it.  I am not a “non-profit organization”, at least not intentionally. 

The weather is another factor.  The majority of the booth spaces are in large tents, which become rather crowed when it rains out on the docks.  It can become so crowded at the Bahia Mar venue that it is difficult to conduct business and close sales, unlike the convention center where the foot traffic is less than desirable.

http://www.showmanagement.com/fort_lauderdale/event/

Annapolis Sail and Power Boat Shows – October 2011

The Annapolis Sail and Power Boat Shows have always been one of the top shows in the country.  It is an outdoor venue with a series of large tents, and a whole bunch of smaller and individual tents spread all over the quaint and historic downtown harbor area.  The weather can be a serious problem to everyone at the show, especially the vendors who are not in one of the larger tents.  Last year it rained so hard that most of the outside vendors actually packed up and left the   show…..with nothing to show for their investment but some soggy displays.   However, the attendance is usually very good and the boaters in that area are serious boaters who seem to know what they are looking for.  Many of them have either taken their boats out of the water for the season, or are planning on sailing south toward the Bahamas for the winter.  It must be nice!  I gotta work, so no tropical islands for me.  The booth costs keep going up and the number of vendors selling “non-boating” products keeps going up as well.  I certainly hope that the show promoters don’t allow this premiere boat show to turn into a flea market!  No one needs to be selling rain gutters, home siding or cars at any boat show.  We’ve got to maintain some integrity, especially with the marine industry struggling as it has for the past several years. 

http://www.usboat.com/us-sailboat-show/home

Seattle Boat Show – Jan 2012

The Seattle Boat Show is the largest show on the west coast and one of my personal favorites.  It is a grueling (10) day show which goes until 9:00 at night, which I think could be shortened an hour without losing a single sale.  None the less, the attendance is pretty good and the typical boating enthusiast will not be deterred because of the weather, (which is usually gray, cold and wet).  I know now why Seattle is the suicide capital of the country.   Many of the attendees purchase multiple day passes and will actually see every booth in the show!  Their boating season is pretty short there, so I guess they really don’t have anything else to do but spend a week preparing and planning for the upcoming boating season.  We see a lot of boaters from Canada and good old Alaska who don’t seem to get out much and really want to buy, and are not just tire kickers.  The promoters do an excellent job planning and preparing for everything and will go the extra mile to make sure you have a successful show.   I’ve been exhibiting at this show for the past ten years and I hope to be back again next year.

http://www.seattleboatshow.com/

Portland Boat Show – Jan 2011

The Portland Boat Show was a first for me and my company Cape Hatteras Marine.  It is a typical “Indoor Show” which has been reduced in size over the last few years, as almost all shows have.  The show promoters are very nice, professional and friendly to deal with.  The venue allows for easy unloading and set up, but the weather sucks!  I guess I shouldn’t really expect anything but cold and rain in January, but I still don’t like it.  The attendance was rather disappointing, but I really wasn’t prepared for the unique type of boaters in that part of the country.  There was an inordinate amount of small aluminum boat owners and “good ole boys” looking for fishing gear and very basic and essential boating products, not the higher end, unique boating accessories that I sell.  I guess you have to know your market!  I am always looking to expand my brand, by exhibiting in new shows in different parts of the country, but sometimes it’s just not the right fit.

 http://www.otshows.com/pbs/

Introduction

 
 

This Blog is all about Boat Shows!  Through the eyes of the vendors and boating enthusiasts across the country.

#1   It is the intent of this blog to help educate prospective vendors of the trials and tribulations to be faced when attending boat shows across the United States and Canada. 

Attending a boat show for the first time in a new area can be a daunting task.  Even veteran vendors can fall prey to the uncertainties of boat show locations at various times of year, venue layout, travel, shipping and hidden costs associated with attending any particular boat show.  Find out what past vendors have to say about the show, the attendance, what is selling and what isn’t and any other positive or negative factors they encountered at the show.    

#2   Boating enthusiasts will find this blog very helpful in navigating their way through some of the largest international boat shows in the country.  So many vendors … and so little time!  Which seminars are worth attending and which ones aren’t.   If everyone shares their experiences encountered at various shows, it will become a lot clearer as to which shows you might want to attend in the future, or which ones are really not worth the time and or money.  Don’t be afraid …..Jump right in!  Tell us what’s on your mind.

A little about myself, the author. As founder of Cape Hatteras Marine Inc. (http://www.capehatterasmarine.com/) a manufacturer, distributor and retailer of personalized and innovative boating products, I’ve experienced my fair share of boat shows over the past 12 years. Exhibiting and attending every major show and many of the smaller shows across the country while taking note of the good, bad and in between.  I’m here to share my experiences to hopefully help improve the quality of future shows and to provide insight to prospective vendors and attendees. I love the boating lifestyle and industry and would love to be part of its continued success.