Megayachts and Pickleball at Miami International Boat Show Return
Fans of boating, get ready – the 2024 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show is returning to Miami. The show will take place from Wednesday, February 14, to Sunday, February 18, across six different venues. This year is expected to be the largest yet.
“Visitor interest is growing, with larger and more advanced boats,” says Andrew Doole, president of U.S. boat shows for Informa Markets, the event’s organizer. “A number of people are relocating to South Florida from various places and are naturally attracted to the boating lifestyle that Miami offers.”
Doole adds that the Miami Beach Convention Center will serve as the main hub for the event, featuring the hottest boat models as well as a variety of electronics, engines, and other accessories. The other key venues include Pride Park for seminars, entertainment, and food; Herald Plaza for motor yachts; Venetian Marina for testing sea trial vessels; Museum Park Marina for sailboats and catamarans; and Yacht Haven Grande Miami for superyachts.
To facilitate movement between the venues, a series of shuttle and golf cart routes will be set up, along with selected water taxi routes. “I suggest starting in the city of Miami before taking the water taxi to the convention center to avoid traffic on the Venetian Causeway,” Doole suggests.
click to enlarge The previous Miami International Boat Show was a hit, drawing around 100,000 visitors. Informa Markets photo As for new features this year, a pickleball court will be set up at Pride Park, along with a few notable vessels. One of them is the Akyacht-built Victorious, a 279-foot masterpiece that will be showcased in the U.S. for the first time.
Doole encourages attendees to engage with the manufacturers. “The boat show is more than just a visit to a boat dealer. It’s an opportunity to interact with those who conceived, built, and brought the boat to life, and have your questions answered.”
He adds that the previous year’s event garnered around 100,000 attendees and featured more than 1,000 brands. “We’re looking forward to another successful year, even as we explore how to expand the show further in the future,” Doole concludes.
The 2024 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on February 14th and 15th, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on February 16th and 17th, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on February 1st. Visit miamiboatshow.com for more information. Tickets prices range from $16.50 to $550 and can be purchased through eventspass.com.