Opening day of the 2018 Miami Yacht Show began with a big announcement that quickly rippled across the docks on Thursday morning. Bluewater partners Earle Hall & Randy Ramsey were among the first to hear the news:
Co-organizers of the Miami Yacht Show (which include Show Management, Informa and the International Yacht Brokers Association) have announced the 2019 show will move from its long-standing location on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach to the mainland just north of downtown Miami. The new bayside location will be next-door to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and share property with the neighboring Sea Isle Marina.
The move from Miami Beach to the mainland between the Venetian and MacArthur Causeways will greatly improve the overall Miami Yacht Show experience for attendees given the proximity to Virginia Key – home of the Miami International Boat Show, as well as the Island Gardens Deep Harbour marina which hosts superyachts up to 400′ during the Miami Yacht Show.
The new site will provide greater land space for expanded VIP lounge areas, additional dining options and improved product offerings to include exotic cars, fine art and private aviation. Plus, parking capacity is claimed to increase to over 3,500 spots and the already impressive water taxi network should become more efficient due to the proximity of events. As for the water, many are citing deeper water at the new location which will enable larger yachts to display in the yacht show.
In addition to a new location for 2019, the Miami Yacht Show also plans to change their format to run from Wednesday through Sunday (as opposed to historically running Thursday through Monday). While the NMMA hasn’t committed to the same as of this writing, the proposal would set the next Miami Yacht Show to open at 10 am on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, and conclude at 5 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2019.
A Little Background:
For those who are unfamiliar with the logistics of the Miami show(s), technically there have long been two boat shows taking place concurrently in Miami Beach. For years, these separate show venues were split between the Miami Convention Center and Collins Avenue. In many respects, this latest change was put in motion years ago when the Convention Center was closed to undergo extensive renovations. As a result, the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) moved their Miami International Boat Show (MIBS) from the Convention Center to the Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key in 2016. Initially this venue change was met with some trepidation by exhibitors, however, the marine stadium location has proven itself over the first three years, and all involved appear committed to staying in Virginia Key. Although owned and managed separately, both shows have teamed up to provide a top-notch boat show experience for attendees by providing joint ticket packages and ample transportation between the two events.
Bluewater Yacht Sales President Jan Boone stated, “As an organization deeply involved in exhibiting products at both Miami show venues, we are encouraged by the changes and expect that they will provide for a superior boat show experience for our customers.”
While final authorization of this move is awaiting state and federal permits, Show Management has already expressed commitment to maintaining transportation for attendees between the multiple venues, plus continue to provide joint attendee tickets for the Miami Yacht Show and Miami International Boat Show.
UPDATE: 2/28/18 – Miami Yacht Show organizers released a map outlining the new show location. Plus check out Viking Yachts CEO Pat Healey’s sentiments regarding the new show location:
Proposed 2019 Miami Yacht Show Map
A Message About the Move from Viking’s Pat Healey
