The Palm Beach International Boat Show, which is owned by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County and organized by Informa Markets, was forced to “come about” and move to a virtual platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the show saw 53,000 visitors and had a statewide economic impact of $682.7 million. In a sign of unity among the West Palm Beach marine community, Palm Beach County Safe Harbor marinas, local law enforcement boats, towing boats, marine exhibitors, and area boaters sounded their boat horns for 30 seconds to trumpet the launch of the show, which moved off the docks and on to digital screens for the first time in its 35 year history.
One of the top five boat shows in the U.S. with more superyachts in Palm Beach than any other event, the Virtual Palm Beach International Boat Show features 436 exhibitors and nearly 800 boats including over 150 superyachts. Included is the 238-foot QUANTUM OF SOLACE by Turquoise Yachts, which was on display at the press conference and tours were arranged upon request. Setting the stage for one of the largest online boat shows, the virtual show showcases more than $1.2 billion worth of yachts, marine accessories and unveils some of the year’s most striking and luxurious new yachts, including the 242-foot PLVS VLTRA by Dutch shipyard Amels, which is making its U.S. boat show debut, and the world debut of Grand Banks Yachts GB54.
With no registration fee, virtual attendees can see enhanced video content, including hundreds of video walk-throughs of boats and yachts, new product highlights, industry news and exclusive show promotions. Always popular, the show also features educational seminars led by experts and panelists from Superyacht Times; fishing presentations by sportfishing experts and influencers, including youth fishing clinics by Hook The Future.
Andrew Doole, President of the U.S. Boat Show Division for Informa Markets and George Gentile, President of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc., held a press conference to discuss the boat show’s transition to a virtual platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of moving forward with the iconic show for exhibitors and its loyal audience to engage. Following the press conference, the Sounding of the Horns took place, signaling the launch of the virtual show. The public was invited to take part in the celebratory opening of the show. Downtown area residents and those who wanted to watch and listen from the downtown seawall at the public marina were provided with blow horns to participate in the Sounding of the Horns. The show will be live through the rest of the year so if you have not experienced the Virtual PBIBS yet, go to https://www.virtualpbboatshow.com and check it out!