Coastal Angler Magazine is honored to be a supporter and member of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County; a little history to the PBIBS that’s coming March 2020.
The Marine Industries Association of PBC is proud to be the owners of the Palm Beach International Boat Show (Mar 26 – Mar 29, 2020), which has grown to become the third largest boat show in the State, and one of the top ten shows in the world.
PBIBS will feature more than $1.2 billion worth of boats, yachts, and marine accessories, including hundreds of vessels ranging from 8-foot inflatables to superyachts nearly 300 feet in length. Additionally, PBIBS will also offer fun and educational activities, including free youth fishing clinics presented by Hook The Future and IGFA School of Sportfishing seminars.
The first-ever Palm Beach International Boat Show was held March 12 – 17, 1982 at Soverel Marine Harbor in Palm Beach Gardens.
In 1982, the world for marine business owners was one where their work was considered more of a ‘hobby business,’ rather than being part of a real industry. It’s only fitting that the first boat show was a straightforward attempt by a small group of boat dealers to show their product to fellow hobbyists with minimal fanfare. The same group eventually succeeded in creating an annual event out of nothing.
It was clear that a new and improved boat show was necessary to boost the area industry and tourism, but the big question back then was, quite simply, where was the best place to hold the annual event? They tried the Jai Lai Fronton, outside, but being in a sandy field alongside 45th Street was very dirty. A move inside to the Palm Beach Auditorium was followed by shows at the South Florida Fairgrounds, and eventually Riviera Beach Marina.
The ability to display boats in the water and in an adjoining park made the Show’s home at Riviera Beach Marina desirable until the memorable and pivotal Year of the Storm in the late 80’s. In 1990, the show was canceled because of an economic recession, a new thing called the luxury tax, and lack of interest and support in a down economy.
In 1995, the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. signed over the production and management of the Show. The result, the first boat show produced by Show Management to be profitable in its first year. The first Show on Flagler Drive wildly exceeded everyone’s expectations!
Moving forward, now after many consecutive years of successful shows the Marine Industries Association is thrilled to announce the launch of Superyacht Show Palm Beach set to make its debut at the upcoming 35th annual Palm Beach International Boat Show . Superyacht Show Palm Beach will take place March 26-28. After two years of planning and permitting, they were recently granted approval from the Palm Beach Town Council to install temporary docks in the deep waters of the Intracoastal Waterway behind the Flagler Museum, the iconic National Historic Landmark in the heart of Palm Beach, to host the new superyacht destination.
“The Flagler Museum is very pleased to be participating in the 2020 Palm Beach International Boat Show in this innovative, new way,” said Erin Manning, Executive Director at the Flagler Museum. “We are excited that Boat Show guests visiting this year’s exclusive Superyachts will also enjoy the opportunity to visit the Flagler Museum upon their entrance to the show, off our dock.”
For us at Coastal Angler we truly value our partnership with the MIAPBC, what an amazing organization to work with. Ongoing support of the Palm Beach International Boat Show allows the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County to give back to the community each year by funding local marine-related events and nonprofits making a difference to protect and promote the marine industry in Palm Beach County and beyond. Last year, the MIAPBC was proud to support 40 organizations like Fishing for Families in Need, Florida Fishing Academy, and Loggerhead Marine Life Center to name a few with donations totaling more than $100,000.
Did you know that you can join the MIAPBC as a boater member and not just as a business? Both types of memberships allow you to enjoy the fabulous events held throughout the year such as the Palm Beach Holiday Light Parade Viewing Party, Paddlefest, social minglers held at great places as in Drive Shack and Sailfish Marina, and workshops and roundtables they put together that all benefit our marine industry & local waters. For new members they are offering complimentary tickets to the PBIBS, as well as other valuable perks as in fuel & dockage discounts, so it may be the right time to consider joining.
To become a boater or business member of the MIAPBC, please visit www.marinepbc.org.
To purchase tickets to the PBIBS as well as the Superyacht Show, please visit www.pbboatshow.com.