| Cruising and Sailing Seminars Set Record Number Signaling Gulf Coast Community’s Thirst for Best in Class Educational Workshops Led by Marine Industry Experts For show photos and video highlights, click here |
| ST.PETERSBURG, FLA. (Dec. 20, 2019) – From Dec. 5-8, the largest boat show on the Gulf Coast, The 42nd Annual St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show, drew thousands of boating and sailing enthusiasts to the downtown waterfront four-day show, which featured an impressive selection of new boats, educational seminars, and the latest in marine gear and accessories. With more than 400 power and sailboats, 250 exhibitors, standing room only cruising and sailing seminars and popular sailing and powerboat rides, this year’s show was a testament to the Gulf Coast community’s thirst for boating and sailing. “We had something for everyone, whether you were an experienced boater or sailor or simply interested in getting started,” said Chris Fleming, Show Director and Director of Business Development for Informa Markets. “Each year, we strive to deliver the best and latest powerboat and sailing products, vessels and a variety of educational discussions to create the ultimate show experience for the Gulf Coast marine community. This year, we were pleased to bring back the cruising and sailing seminars, which were extremely well-received, and offer the free sail and powerboat rides to help get visitors hooked on boating.” More than 2,500 show-goers enjoyed over 60 cruising and sailing seminars led by industry experts as this year’s show offered a variety of educational workshops – from Women and Cruising, Rigging Basics, and Marine Weather to Docking and Anchoring, Sail Trim and Shape Analyses, and Cruising to the Bahamas, to name a few. The Kids’ Fishing Clinics, conducted by Captain Don Dingman and presented by Hook The Future, were also well-attended, demonstrating a strong interest from the younger generation. Whether you were diving into the boating industry for the first time, interested in learning new fishing tips, and/or fine tuning your captain skills, the show provided a platform for all levels. In addition to the instructive sessions, this year’s show also featured some of the most exciting new powerboats of 2019, including the highly-anticipated 70E Ocean Alexander and Marlow Yacht’s head-turning Marlow Explorer 66E. Viking Yacht’s Valhalla V-37 and Princess Yacht’s captivating Princess S66 also made their West Coast debut at the show. Expanding its list of exhibitors, the show featured boats from Tarpon Springs-based custom builder, Dorado Custom Boats, for the first time. Additional highlights included complimentary one hour Sailboat Rides provided by Sailing Florida Charters and an expanded 47,557-square-foot exhibition tent housing a wide selection of the latest in marine gear, accessories and technology. “We have been in this market since 1970 and have been exhibiting at the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show since its inception. The West Coast of Florida has continued to grow for us with locations in Anna Maria and St. Petersburg and this show allows us to present our brands to all our clients and prospects along the Southwest Gulf Coast at one venue,” said Darren Plymale, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Offer for Galati Yacht Sales. “We had a great event this year, displaying the majority of our brands and new models, including the new Valhalla products with the 33 and 37. We are very excited with our results and feel the quality of customers that attended this year was exceptional. We wrote several contracts and many more proposals.” “We are proud to be able to vend at the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show. As a 35-year business serving the greater Tampa Bay community, a presence at this show is likened to butter on bread,” said Scott Tubbs, Sales & Marketing Manager for Pinellas County-based Thunder Marine International, which displayed its signature brands, Jeanneau Powerboats, Stamas Yachts, Bluewave Boats, and Release Boats. “The show is typically a strong source for new business for us and this year was no different. We enjoyed a strong turnout at our show displays and officially signed eight deals by the closing bell Sunday and expect that number to nearly double by the end of the year. Not all shows are created equal and we’ve grown to appreciate the quality and commitment this show’s management takes seriously year after year.” The 43rd Annual St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show will take place from December 3 – 6, 2020. For images, videos, and press materials from the 2019 show, contact informamedia@krepspr.com or visit the St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show 2019 Digital Press Kit. |
| About the St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat ShowThe 42nd Annual St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show is the largest boat show on the Gulf Coast. The show takes place Thursday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park (next to the Dali Museum) in St. Petersburg, Florida. For more information, visit: stpeteboatshow.com, facebook.com/StPeteBoatShow or twitter @stpeteboatshow. |