Rumors about Miami.....
 

So I heard a rumor that this might be the last year of the Maimi Boat Show. Someone said that the convention center was getting tore down next year. Any truth to this........

I have been reading just the opposite. They are talking about a renovation and expansion.

http://www.bizjournals.com/southflor...s-for-its.html

Good to know. I was hoping it was a bunch of crap.

At some point the whole area will get redone, hopefully they don't screw it up, there is just to much valuable real estate sitting there for the powers that be to leave it alone. Our new mayor is pretty good though.

Heck it is already screwed up, they need to unscrew it up, between traffic jams in the whole city, to the crappiest Airport in the USA, to construction, parking, cost to park, scammer towing services and their little little rat spotters to some of where in hell did some of these people come from just hanging around the city and beach.

The boatshow still is good, not great like it use to be. Ever year it seems less of enjoyable and too many center console boats with egg beaters. even now wakeboard boats & Jetskis out number sportboats. Jeepers boats with tape on graphics, heck I can build that. The expansion is too see how more Center Console boats they can fit into the Convention Center. Even Statement Boats did not have their dog and pony show last time out and they were the life of the party for some.. Will say Hustler and Cig still have a great display. I like the old school Miami boatshow better. Just my 2c

Forgot 7 Marine has a great display as well and of course mercruiser to add to the list.

I haven not spoken with city officials, but from people in the marine industry have told me the show will still go on in 2016, just not in the convention center. I also have been told that the show return when the project is complete, but again, I have not spoken to any official representative of the city of Miami.

Where will the show go in 2016? I've heard several strategies, none I have been able to confirm (frankly, been a bit busy with advance coverage of Key West). This definitely is a story Jason Johnson and I at speedonthewater.com will follow as it develops.

So the builders should load the show with performance boat to appease the few and not the mass. Load up on show boats and not boats that sell and move the product?

You brought up Statement and wouldn't you know there was an article just a day ago about why they don't do the dog and pony show inside anymore......it doesn't sell boats.


I get it we all want to see the biggest and baddest but at the same time the builders are there to move what sells and keeps the brand alive and growing.


Page 34
http://speedonthewater.com/in-the-ne...e-of-statement

So, apparently there is some truth to that rumor!!!!!

Honestly I think the boat show is a run of the mill event for the city, and any plans for the convention center/ accommodations will most likely not take the boat show into account. They are going to build whatever will generate the most revenue for the city. The boat show will have to work with what they build not the other way around. As a local the boat show chaos is the only time it doesn't bother me, the rest of these events are a clusterf**k and traffic gets worse and worse every year. Also for you out of towners you come and see the city when it is busiest, everybody and there brother comes down here from October to March!

Did a little research there is a 500 million design build project to expand the convention center and parking. It's a 2 year project during that time 1/2 the center will be operational at any given time. The city of Miami is committed to keeping the boat show in Miami during the construction. It also appears that Miami was Knocked out of the bid for the super bowl because you have to guarantee a certain amounts of hotel rooms for 3 weekend in Feb and they could not do that the weekend of the boat show. The boat show is a manger financial access to the city.

we were told that the show will not be at the convention center next year by show officials. The center is getting a large redo (which is needed). They also made changes this year outside, moving many vendors around, large tents not many small ones outside. .... our tent was 5 hrs late getting put up last year.

Off topic, but I am going this year. Never been before is most of it at the convention center? Or is it a few different sites, tks

Different sites but all easy to get too. Most all the big power boats though are at the Convention center. Make sure and see it all though, well worth it IMO.

While I agree with you on many things, my friend, I would have to generally disagree with you on the Miami Boat Show being a "run of the mill event' for your city and state. In fact, I would argue, that despite the decline in the powerboating industry and market in the past ten years, it is in the top two or three annual events for your fair city. Consider the following.

From a 2013 National Marine Manufacturers Association press release:

"The 2013 Progressive® Insurance Miami International Boat Show® generated an economic output of $597 million in Florida as a result of out-of-state purchases and expenditures at the show and supported 6,592 full-time jobs, according to an economic impact analysis released today by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)". http://www.miamiboatshow.com/press/news.aspx?id=18672

OK, you say, that's just a press release, just the NMAA shilling for the industry. Fair enough, I mean, what do they know about the direct economic impact to the area? Fair enough. So then, consider this part of the release.

"Exhibitors expended $18.9 million on local goods and services, such as hotels, restaurants, retail and local transportation. Such expenditures were the beginning of economic impacts throughout the county, the region and state"

I think you can reasonably assume that the NMMA knows what its members spend locally, and the figure doesn't account for A) The exorbitant cost and resulting revenues taken in for exhibiting in the show. B) The exorbitant amount of money exhibitors and attendees spend on awful food and drinks while in the show. C) The exorbitant sums spent by show visitors and idiots such as me on overpriced South Beach hotel rooms and meals.

Still, you struggle with information generated by an organization that represents the industry in question. Again, fair enough. You'd like to hear from Miami itself. So check out this link (http://miami.eventguide.com/annual_events_overview.html) and ask yourself, why does the city list the event so highly in its annual event self promotion? It also lists the South Florida Auto Show, and with the auto world being a bunch bigger than the boat world I'd guess that one brings even more revenue to the city. But does the largest consumer boat show in the country and the industry behind it do more for the local economy and the state in general? Oh yeah. Check this out.

"In the 2014 budget year, Broward's marine industry accounted for an estimated economic impact of $8.8 billion in gross output, including jobs and earnings, up from $7.4 billion in 2010, the last time the study was updated." (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/o...030-story.html)

Clearly, the convention center people themselves think its a big enough event to give high billing. Check it out.

"Major annual trade shows here include the Jewelers International Showcase (three times annually) and the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Conference/Expo. The MBCC annual calendar also boasts some of the nation's premiere public events, including America's largest consumer show, the Miami International Boat Show, the South Florida International Auto Show, currently the third largest in the United States, and North America's most important contemporary art fair, Art Basel Miami Beach.
(http://www.miamibeachconvention.com/100/FastFacts.asp)

Anyone can do a Google search—I wouldn't describe it as hardcore research, so on that you'll get no argument from me. I would, however, gently suggest that show is hardly a "run-of-the mill annual event" (the Super Bowl, which surely trounces all, can't be considered because we are talking annual events) for Miami. And I would also ask: Why do you live in a tourist town if you hate tourists. (I grew up in one of those towns, too, and while I hated tourists I appreciated the income they provided for me as a waiter and lifeguard every summer while I was in college.)

The show will go on during construction, and I'm pretty sure that, once the convention center is completed, the decision-makers there will welcome it back inside with rather open arms.

Matt as we both know those "studies" are worthless, they make it sound like the entire marine industry only exists because of the boat show. $18.9 million, thats only one condo unit in many of the high end buildings here! I'm not saying the boat show isn't a big event, I'm saying the city is not going to base its convention center plans around the boat show. They are after the convention business also that places like Vegas get a lot of.

I love the boat show it is my favorite event of the whole year! I wish it was twice a year!

So, throw out all the numbers—and the inherently biased position of the NMMA. What you're still left with is that both the convention center and the city of Miami still consider the boat show to be a significant event that neither entity would want to lose. And, of course, I agree with you that convention center won't plan its rebirth around a single event.

Like today's new professional baseball venues, today's new convention centers need to be comfortable and attractive for everyone involved, and the current Miami convention center is neither. The days of throwing up a concrete barn and expecting exhibitors and visitors to flock to it simply based on the exhibits inside and the venue being "the only game in town" that can accommodate such a large event are long gone. That's become even more true when it comes to "trade" shows, which across most industries have declined sharply in the past 20 years. Digital/modern communication has eliminated the need for so much that went on at trade shows such as the former IMTEC marine trade event in Chicago, what used to be the largest marine trade show in the country. And yet ... something, I would say communities within their given industries, has been lost. (But I digress.)

As for the traffic problems created by the convention center's location, whoever solves that one should get the Nobel Peace Prize.

Matt you would also have to consider what the "new convention center" will cost the participants as well. Many boat companies have forgone participation in local boat shows due to the huge expense in displaying and the gamble of potential sales isn't worth the expense. Now for huge companies like Brunswick with large production numbers (SeaRay, Boston Whaler etc) then it is the cost of doing business but for a small performance builder (10-20 boats a year), Miami might just not be worth it anymore especially if you are going to be lost in a sea of tents mixed in with a menagerie of vendors.

Absolutely legitimate observation and concern, and even for the giant builders.

Currently the city has kicked the show out for 2016. However, the remodel plans have been placed on hold for some revisions so that may change. Regardless, operators of the show have been advised they need a new location for 2016 as of about two months ago. With the required revisions now being required, that may have changed but I have yet to hear it.

Discussions for a new land location include Marlins stadium the first year, then perhaps moving to Marine Stadium and doing some massive consolidation there. They already do temporary docks, think FTL show type layout with a separate area for in water demos..

Info: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/loca...le3791045.html

There goes walking to the show from your hotel. Sounds like a cool temporary home though.

Sure would be cool if they could revive the old stadium

Still stay in South Beach where the parties are. Cab ride to the show wherever it is!!!!!!

Rogman FYI the parties are not all in the beach. Lots and lots of it in Brickell which is much better, much nicer and better attractions :drool1: I've lived in Miami my whole life and haven't gone to the beach in like 12 yrs unless its for the Poker run parties or when Cig would do Camios. The South Beach has become "rap city central" if you know what I mean. Even Fountain Bleu is not what it use to be. But all the outter towners flock to the beach because that's all they know and hear about. Check out Brickell next time and you'll see. Mary Brickell Village is great. Blue Martini, Fado and not to mention the new city town their building now etc. Not to mention all the 4star+ hotels that's there all this and the Marine Stadium is less than a 10 min cab ride.

The same way you get stuck on MacArthur Causeway/ Julia Tuttle for over an hr on any given day/night to go to the beach ? Unfortunately, you can not beat in no way or form Miami traffic. It takes me almost 2 hrs to drive 14 miles to my house from down town Miami. It is what it is.

[QUOTE=Sydwayz;4218520]They better have a fleet of water taxiis to get to/from the stadium area. That one tiny bridge in & out is going to be a giant traffic Charlie


The same way you get stuck on MacArthur Causeway/ Julia Tuttle for over an hr on any given day/night to go to the beach ? Unfortunately, you can not beat in no way or form Miami traffic. It takes me almost 2 hrs to drive 14 miles to my house from down town Miami. It is what it is.

They better have a fleet of water taxiis to get to/from the stadium area. That one tiny bridge in & out is going to be a giant traffic Charlie-Foxtrot.
I'll be on a bike and white-lining.

Guess the rumor was a fact!!!!

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/11/13...arine-stadium/

As long is there is liquor in Miami im good !!! The party must go on ! Some how I know we will find the show , were ever it lands ! LoL

Just got confirmation of this today... Should be interesting

I believe that will be for 2016, 2017 and forward. Not for 2015. It can not be as the place is still in bad shape and they haven't started working on it.

Traffic will be much much worse if they put the show at Marine Stadium..
On Miami Beach you have three different ways to get to the show,,two highways,both six lane, and one two lane toll road (195+395 and Julia Tuttle) not to mention many people stay in hotels nearby the main site ir the in water areas negating the need to drive to the show.
You can also take Metrorail/Metromover right to the in water Marina site and the shuttles from there to main show again negating the need to deal with parking and driving.This is what I usually do every year when I go down. This way you dont have to deal with the beach traffic at all..
At Marine Stadium you have one 4lane toll road that typically backs up
on any normal summer weekend .. There are no hotels within walking distance..
Metrorail is also not within walking distance for most people (3miles each way)
This means everyone will have to go by car..
Nightmare...
There is only enough parking for a couple hundred cars,,
there is no other parking nearby,,they would have to build a big parking structure,,Unless things have changed a LOT since i moved out of Miami ten years ago there is not a chance in hell they will allow a big parking building to be plopped in the middle of Virginia Key..
Basically majority will have to be bused to and from the show from some offsite parking site..
Its also much farther by road and water to the other in water
sites they currently have. While I am all for rebuilding the Stadium (When I was a kid my dad used to have a slip in marina next door and we used to go see the races for free) moving the Boat Show there is not a good idea...