A worthwhile question, https://speedonthewater.com/what-do-...m-a-boat-show/

Iv always wondered how effective shows are for the manufacturers. How many people walk into a show and just order a 6 or 7 figure boat? It seems like besides a few, most high preformance manufacturer have moved away from the show model and to a more personal invite only event for potential customers.

might be fun to go and see whats new, but for most like me, no way i can swing high 6 or 7 figures, so... most must be like me...
few can do it, but is it enough to justify financially a show for the manufacturers? i would bet it is not worth it!

so... asking the question is answering it maybe?

Boat shows...They are something to do in the frozen North. Haven't seen any performance boats in years and there seems to be fewer vendors if you don't count the basement water proofing and leaf guard scammers.

Padraig

In my opinion, the big boat shows may become less and less as time moves forward. I am guessing that many of the sales are to folks that come to the show knowing what they are going to buy. The sale gets tallied to the show, but probably would have happened anyway. Boat shows are a shotgun approach to marketing which "back in the day" it is all we had. The internet has changed that significantly as a buyer can do so much more research, not just from dealers or manufacturers, but by actual customers that have experience with the line. From my perspective (which means almost nothing), it seems that it could make more economic sense for manufacturer/dealers to market more like a rifle. Bring prospective buyers to the dealership where they can be immersed in the brand and the dealership. Spend time on the water, spend time in the shop, spend time really learning about not just the boat, but the peripheral advantages of doing business with that manufacturer.dealer. If manufacturers/dealers were really honest about what the big shows cost them in total (including lost opportunity costs by not being home), I am betting they could take a fraction of that money and invest in bringing buyers to them. Instead of talking to hundreds of people "just looking" all focus can be put on real prospects, with real money, making real purchases. Events like Key West, the LOTO Shootout, and Havasou are events where I am guessing that you can get additional exposure to a far more defined audience. Another change in the market is with the cost of a new boat in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, real buyers, I would think, would be open to traveling where they need to go to immerse themselves into the process.

I really don't know much about anything, but you asked for opinions!

I used to love going to the boat shows and I went every year. It was an opportunity to see the latest designs and technology. I want to get a good, in person look at what my next boat will be. But over the years they got more & more lame with nothing to even look at. Performance boats are non-existent at shows. I get it because the cost to display at the shows is astronomical and hard to justify. But I really miss the good shows with tons of new boats and a lot of swag & accessories to buy. Looking at a boat online vs. in person is not the same.

I once had a nice routine I would attend the Philadelphia boat show, the New York boat show, at times the Atlantic City boat show, and the Miami boat show.

Floor space is expensive for the manufacturers, but I will always love the Miami boat show. It’s not often when I get to walk on a large motor yacht and really get to look around and I will always appreciate those moments, as well as what’s new in the marketplace with technology and or power.