Miami International Boat Show &
Strictly Sail; Miami Beach Yacht &
Brokerage Show Preview (pictured)

71^st Annual
Miami International
Boat Show & Strictly Sail

What do you get when you bring millions of dollars worth of boats, yachts, gear and electronics to one of the most cosmopolitan beachfront cities in the country? It can only add up to the Annual Progressive Insurance© Miami International Boat Show, held this year from February 16-20.

Featuring three locations (Miami Beach Convention Center; Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center in-water displays; and Miamarina at Bayside—Strictly Sail Miami returns to Bayside) for 2012. It’s one of the biggest gatherings on the boat show circuit.

But there’s more to it than boats and gear. After a successful introduction in 2011, the interactive Discover Boating Resource Center is back and better than ever, providing attendees of all ages and skill sets with a multitude of opportunities to get on the water and discover the excitement of the boating lifestyle through hands-on education and adventure. Guests can register for an assortment of complimentary, daily courses on topics ranging from close-quarter handling and offshore cruising, to sailing for beginners and boating safety.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Discover Boating Resource Center back to the Progressive Insurance© Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail so cruisers of all ages and levels can learn more about navigating the waters and experience the benefits of boating first-hand. There’s truly no better destination to discover the many ways that life is better with a boat!” said Cathy Rick-Joule, Show Manager.

In addition: 

-Visit the best dive and travel feature in the U.S.,the Dive & Travel Harbor presented by U.S. Dive Shows located on the first floor at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

-Celebrating its ninth year, the Big Game Room returns with all of your favorite events! Have a drink at the Marlin Bar while waiting for the next educational seminar to begin. Take a walk over to the Bait Rigging Station and improve your rigging techniques. And of course you’ll see the latest in products for the fishing world and destinations with the best sport fishing in the world. Don’t forget to sign up for the Exhibitor Prize Give Away.

-Feed your need for speed! See the show’s fastest and sleekest race boats from Cigarette Racing Team, Nor-Tech, Marine Technology, Velocity, GTMM, Skater and Outer Limits Powerboats. You’ll find these great race boats outside next to the Pavilion Tent.

-Boating enthusiasts and art aficionados can meet the newest member of the International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame and world-renowned artist, photographer, diver and scientist, Dr. Guy Harvey, by visiting the Guy Harvey Artist Pavilion located in room 2700 at Miami Beach Convention Center. There they’ll also find the largest collection of Guy Harvey artwork, apparel and merchandise ever available.

-Sunday the 19^th is Marlins Day. Meet Miami Marlins players on Convention Center Drive along with Billy the Marlin and the Mermaids on hand to sign autographs and take pictures. There will be tickets to opening week games in the brand new Miami Marlins Ball Park. Stop by the Marlins Van and take your chance on the prize wheel all day Sunday.

For full information, visit: miamiboatshow.com.

24th Annual
Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach

February 16-20 will see the 24^th Annual Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach along Collins Avenue featuring yachts and superyachts from the world’s most extraordinary custom boatbuilders. Not to be confused with the Miami Boat Show, this show is free and open to the public. This year’s show will feature more than 500 new and pre-owned vessels valued at more than a billion dollars and covers more than 1.2 million square feet of space over a mile-long strip of the Indian Creek Waterway in the heart of beautiful Miami Beach. It runs along Collins Avenue (S.R. A1A), from 41^st to 51^st Streets, situated directly across from landmark hotels including the Fountainbleu, Eden Roc and Miami Beach Resort and Spa.

Take advantage of the show’s new smartphone app, MyBoatShow, launched in October 2011 at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show with tremendous success. It’s a free app, available on iPhone and Android platforms, designed to help navigate the show’s docks, land areas and tents. Attendees will be able to access show maps and search for exhibitors, manufacturers, product categories and boats by specifications and size. The app also provides the show schedule, seminar information, show transportation schedules and maps, food and drink locations, restroom locations and emergency services.

Another inaugural development to this year’s show is TrawlerPort, a true show within  a show. Located at the north end of all the action, TrawlerPort will offer an impressive display of sturdy long-range cruisers offered in lengths from 35 to 90 feet, all built for long-term cruising to regional and worldwide destinations. Participating TrawlerPort boats will be easily identified with banners and flags.

The show’s Yacht Equipment Pavilion and Sportfishing Pavilion offer attendees the perfect setting to experience the latest in marine gear, sportfishing tackle and equipment, electronics and gadgets, as well as seminars by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).

Once again, Shake-A-Leg Miami will be the beneficiary of the annual Boat Show Kickoff Party, held February 15t^h between 6-9PM at the Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show Cocktail Barge, just prior to the start of the show.

For complete information on ticket sales, times, transportation and parking, visit: showmanagement.com