Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Report Huge Success for 2006

With Luxury Yachts the size of houses and even bigger price tags, this year's boat show left Miami in a wave of sales and rave reviews.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Feb. 21, 2006Attendance at the show, which ran Feb. 16-20 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center and Miamarina at Bayside, was 146,595, compared to 145,355 last year. This represents a 1 percent year-over-year increase and a 4 percent increase from the average attendance figures for the previous three years.

“Considered the Super Bowl of all consumer boat shows, the Miami event kicks off boating season and sets the barometer for annual industry sales,” said Cathy Johnston, vice president of Southern Shows with the NMMA. “Judging by the results of this year’s show, we expect strong sales to continue through 2006 in all categories of recreational marine products.”

In addition, the NMMA reporter strong sales among exhibiting companies in all categories, including boats, engines and accessories.

David Knight, executive vice president and chief operating officer with Washington, N.C.-based Fountain Powerboats, said, “Sales at the 2006 Miami show exceeded our company’s all-time performance by 40 percent. We attribute these results to the hard work and training of our international and domestic sales teams, and we expect the orders taken at the Miami show to help our company achieve its third and fourth quarter sales and profit objectives.”

Peter Frederiksen, director of marketing and communications with New Gretna, N.J.-based Viking Yachts, said, “The Miami show is always a strong one for our company. It provides us with an opportunity to bring together our international dealers from Spain, Australia and Venezuela in front of an international audience of consumers who come to the show to buy.”

Dave Walsh, director of marketing with Holland-Mich.-based Tiara Yachts, added, “The Miami show is extremely important to our dealers, both locally and throughout the world, who benefit from the show’s ability to help us build our customer base and sell boats.”

Debra Young, president of Pembroke Pines, Fla.,-based Nautica International, said, “Miami is one of the most important shows for us. This year, sales were up over the previous two years, with a large contingency of customers from the Northeast and Great Lakes regions as well as from South America.”

Randall Barberis, assistant vice president of marketing with Watsonville, Calif.-based West Marine, said, "Our sales exceeded our expectations! It appears that the boating public has recovered from the hurricanes of last year and is seeking out the latest gear in electronics, safety and toys for their boats. It's a positive sign for the season ahead."

Veda Raubenheimer, project coordinator with the South African Boatbuilders Business Council, which brought seven sailing vessels to the sail-only portion of the Miami International Boat Show, said, "Strictly Sail has been an invaluable platform for the South African boat building industry. Our inaugural South African Pavilion has been an overwhelming success, translating into sales for the majority of our 12 exhibitors. We look forward to a stronger presence in 2007, showcasing other South African boat builders and products."

The 66th Miami International Boat Show is set for Feb.15-19, 2007. For show information, call (954) 441-3220 or visit www.miamiboatshow.com.
About Miami International Boat Show
The Miami International Boat Show is produced is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world's largest producer of boat shows. NMMA is the leading association representing a $33 billion a year recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the U.S. For more information, visit www.NMMA.org.

For more information about the Miami International Boat Show, call (954) 441-3220 or visit www.miamiboatshow.com.