WELCOME to the first Wilmington Boat Show:
Why Wilmington, NC?
I started JBM & Associates in 2001, after a 15-year career in media, corporate events and facility management. In 2002, we found our niche of producing quality boat shows in the southeast, starting in Charleston, SC and continuing with Savannah, GA, as well as a couple years in northern Florida. We always had an interest in the Wilmington market, with its proximity to so many boat builders, manufacturers, dealers, as well as boaters. It is situated perfectly on the eastern seaboard for a great boat show. We had one small problem. There was not a single venue large enough to hold a major boat show. It took a decade for the dream of producing the Wilmington Boat Show to become reality.
What you’ll discover at the show:
Now, September 9-11, 2016, thanks to the opening of the new Port City Marina we are able to bring a first-class boat show to Wilmington. The event will take place in several locations including the Port City Marina, Pier 33, Wilmington Convention Center and Battleship Park. We have partnered with Wilmington Water Tours to offer free water taxi rides back and forth between the venues adding to a unique boat show experience.
Boats will be on display and on sale in all locations. Discover boats in the water, as well as on the demo docks where you’ll be able to test drive before you buy. The Convention Center will be home to many boats as well as marine vendors; fishing and sailing seminars will be held by experts inside the facility as well. Some of the many kids’ features will be outside on the Convention Center event lawn.
Stroll down the Riverwalk, where you’ll find more than 50 additional vendors and continue towards Pier 33, for more boats, food and live entertainment. From the pier, you’ll access the docks and boats of all makes and models. Take the free water taxi across the Cape Fear River to Battleship Park and dozens of additional boats, food, music and kids’ features. Don’t miss the infamous water skiing squirrel, Twiggy, as well as gangs of pirates and other surprises at the Battleship Park.
If you prefer to start your show experience at the Battleship, there is plenty of free parking and the ship is an amazing adventure and piece of history. If you do start with a visit to the ship, save your ticket and bring it to our box office for $2.00 off your boat show ticket. Visit the exhibits in the park and take a water taxi over to the Marina for the rest of the show. There will be plenty of parking on both sides.
Sponsored by ILM, Allstate Boat Insurance, Yamaha, Maritime Insurance International, Marathon Specialty Finance, Epic Finance, Wilmington Water Tours, Gulfstream Yachts and Gregory Poole Cat.
For exhibitor information,
contact Erica Allen at Erica@JBMshows.com or call 864-250-9713.