STUART,
FL - The 34th Annual Stuart Boat Show will return
to Allied Richard Bertram Marine Group Marina, Stuart Harbor
Marina and Waterway Marina, January 11, 12, and 13, for
what will be their largest and most comprehensive show to
date. The show moved to this location in 2006, on the north
side of the St. Lucie River, west of the Roosevelt Bridge,
which enabled the show’s producer, AllSports Productions,
to feature more in-water and land displays than in previous
years.
“We
were able to greatly increase space for land-based displays
by closing a half-mile section of State Road 707/Old Dixie
Highway,” said Rick Allen of AllSports Productions.
The show also makes use of docks at all three marinas, as
well as an additional quarter-mile of floating docks brought
in by Allen. Allen has produced boat shows since 1993 and
also produces the St. Lucie County Boat Show, which will
be held April 18-20. In addition, AllSports Productions
creates temporary marinas for corporate and private events
such as slips for special yachting guests of the Radisson
Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, during Super Bowl XXXIX.
The popular “Entertainment Deck” will return
to this year’s show, featuring fashion and swimsuit
shows and a series of fishing seminars sponsored by Anchor’s
Aweigh Marine. New this year will be a demonstration of
stand-up fishing techniques by Betty Bauman, founder of
Ladies Let’s Go Fishing, who was featured on NBC’s
Today Show.
“In
addition, this year we will feature the Treasure Coast Treasure
Chest,” added Allen. There will be a game piece in
every show program and specially-designated exhibitors will
stamp the piece. After the game pieces are completed, show
attendees can submit them for a chance to win one of three
treasure chests filled with prizes from participating exhibitors.
The Stuart Boat Show is one of the premier events on the
Treasure Coast and each year the show draws boating and
fishing enthusiasts from across the country. Many visitors
prefer the relaxed, intimate atmosphere of the show, where
they can view boats, equipment and services and get personalized
attention from the exhibitors they can’t get at the
mega boat shows.
Over 200 exhibitors are expected at this year’s show
with more than 250 in-water boats and another 250 boats
featured on land. Visitors to the show will see over 80
different brands and the latest 2008 models from major boat
manufacturers, as well as boating equipment and accessories,
engines, electronics dealers, fishing gear, nautical clothing
and jewelry, and financing and insurance companies.
“We
are excited about prospects for this year’s show,”
said Executive Director Vera Locke of the Marine Industries
Association of the Treasure Coast (MIATC). “With no
hurricanes for the past two years we are hoping there will
be an increase in those looking to upgrade or purchase a
boat for the first time.” The marine industry is vitally
important to Florida, contributing over $18 billion to the
state’s economy and generating over 220,000 jobs,
with an annual average growth rate of nearly 25% over the
past 25 years. The marine industry and government officials
from Martin, Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties
are working together on economic incentives, the retention
of boating businesses, insurance and property tax concerns,
environmental regulations, and workforce training so that
the boating industry will continue to be a major force in
the state. “Boating and fishing are two of the largest
recreational pastimes in Florida, and our residents deserve
to have access to the waterfront to enjoy them,” said
April Price of MIATC.
The 34th Annual Stuart Boat Show will be held at Allied
Richard Bertram Marine Group Marina, Stuart Harbor Marina,
and Waterway Marina, all located on Old Dixie Highway, west
of the Roosevelt Bridge. Show hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m. on Friday and Saturday, January 11-12 and 10:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 13. Ticket prices are still
only $10.00, with children under 10 free. As always, the
show features free parking and shuttle service, as well
as free water taxi service provided from downtown Stuart.
There are two entrance gates to the show for easy access.
The Stuart Boat Show is owned by the Marine Industries Association
of the Treasure Coast and is produced and managed by AllSports
Productions, Inc. For exhibit information, contact AllSports
Productions at 305-868-9224 or visit www.allsportsproductions.net.
For general show information, call MIATC at 772-692-7599
or visit their web site at www.miatc.com.
For media information contact:
Janice Aponte
Dick Gruenwald Associates, LLC
561-622-3200
Janice_dga@bellsouth.net
