By: Scott Way
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has partnered with Informa Markets to combine the Miami International Boat Show and Miami Yacht Show, which includes Superyacht Miami, into a single comprehensive event with both in-person and virtual offerings.
Despite NMMA announcing the cancellation of the 2021 event back in October, 2022 will bring a major overhaul to one of the world's biggest boat shows. MIBS typically hosts over 1000 exhibitors, displays over 1400 boats, and attracts over 100,000 attendees per year.
The new partnership will be branded as the Miami International Boat Show and will run over President's Day weekend from Feb 16th-20th, 2022. The in-water and in-person portions will occur in downtown Miami at the Sea Isle Marina, One Herald Plaza, Island Gardens Deep Harbour on nearby Watson Island, and the Miami Beach Convention Center. There will not be a component at the Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key where previous MIBS events have taken place. The combined event will include several new attractions, including a live concert series, an expanded educational offering, and the return of Miami Dealer Days from February 14th-15th. The Dealer Days event provides an opportunity for exhibitors to connect and pursue partnerships with other marine manufacturers.
In the NMMA statement, President Frank Hugelmeyer stated that “For 80 years, the Miami International Boat Show has served as the recreational boating industry’s flagship event and a prized platform to showcase world-class products and innovations to nearly 100,000 people across the globe. With NMMA’s new partnership with Informa Markets, together, we will take the show to the next level and deliver an unforgettable experience for our members, attendees, exhibitors and the local community for decades to come. “
For the 2022 event, the partnership will see NMMA handle the virtual experience, while Informa Markets will take the lead for the in-person experience. Each entity will still retain ownership of their respective events: Informa Markets will keep the Miami Yacht Show and Superyacht Miami (which they co-own with the International Yacht Brokers Association), while NMMA will retain control of the Miami International Boat Show. Partnerships with the city of Miami and Miami Beach have been established to regulate the influx in traffic, parking, and tourist presence near the event grounds. Both Informa and the NMMA will also open a joint office in Miami to prepare for the event. This combined partnership will also be in effect for NMMA's Tampa Boat Show, as well as Informa's St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, and the Suncoast Boat Show.
From to Andrew Doole, the president of US boat shows for Informa Markets, "The marine industry is a truly special community, and one we are dedicated to nurturing and growing. This year, despite innumerable challenges, our community proved its resilience, and the passion we have seen from manufacturers and buyers alike has strengthened our resolve to create even more meaningful experiences for boating and yachting professionals and enthusiasts. We are appreciative that the NMMA shares common goals, and we are honored to work with them to enhance our collective events, including an unbelievable week-long experience for recreational and luxury boating enthusiasts in Miami."
“Our industry and organization are incredibly grateful to the city of Miami for providing a home for our show these last five years at the Miami Marine Stadium and Park, and we look forward to bringing this exciting new event to both downtown Miami and Miami Beach,” Hugelmeyer added.
