2010 Miami Boat Show

This was my 4th Miami Show that I have attended. As I walked around on Monday, I have never seen so few people walking the docks. Did anyone else feel the same way? Did all the bad weather and flights being canceled have that big of effect?

Mike Joyce from Hargrave Yachts sent out a media blast following the show. Here's an exert...

Opening day (Thursday) is typically one of the best days of the show, with Friday close behind or exceeding opening day in both quantity and qualified people. Not so this year. The docks were dead. Most of the people roaming the docks were media or people working the show. I felt really bad knowing the hard work, money and time everyone put forward to be at the show. I took my sales hat off, sat down and just kept company with friends in the industry to pass the time. We’re all in this together.

Hi all, busy week traveling for biz, but finding a few minutes in the Oakland, CA (USA) airport to throw up a few more shots.
Thanks for the kind words regarding my shots. Glad to be able to bring them to you. I know how frustrating it can be not getting to a show, so at least YF gives us the medium for all to share the experiences.

Mike, With it being so cold, I wasn't seeing the attire I was looking for (and that many members would like). So you'll have to settle for the yachtie shots. Good luck to you in your endeavors.

Ron, that mast on Evviva is outstanding, and the yacht has good lines too. It all works well together.

Carl, yes, we need to stay away from the FB and their HIGH priced cocktails. Carrabbas drinks had to be cheaper and it's close by. Thanks again.

Hattsoff, that's a Riva of some sorts, I think.

More...

Last few. I have more day shots to post later. Gotta catch a flight...

As part of my morning ritual, I scan a couple dozen news sites. Today, I came across the following report from Trade Only Today, published by the Soundings...

While reading the above, I couldn't help but wonder... do we need a governing body to verify the figures that boat show promoters claim? There were a few responses to this story made by people in the biz. Here's one of them that I thought best reflected what is actually happening to the market...

I see it two ways.

Personally, I do research everything online, it would take forever for me to go to each shop individually to see the products or new boats. The concentration of items at a boat show is what gets me to go. If a dealer is ready to negotiate, then I have my homework done and can pull the trigger at the show.

For our custom yacht product business, we have found that the bigger boat shows are sometimes diluted with people coming for entertainment value. Therefore we have shifted to primarily participating in more targeted VIP Dealer events and shows at yacht clubs.