The Palm Beach International Boat Show, rescheduled twice because of the coronavirus pandemic, now will open on Thursday, May 14. And you can watch it from the comfort of your home; it’s all on line.
The 35th edition of the increasingly popular show originally was scheduled to run from March 26 through 29 on the West Palm Beach waterfront along Flagler Drive. Then, as virus spread, it was rescheduled from May 14 through 17. Now, Informa Markets, the organizers of the show, have decided to cancel the live event because of safety concerns and move it on line instead.
The virtual show will include 436 exhibitors, featuring many of the latest yachts, electronics, engines and accessories from around the world. In recent years, the Palm Beach show has seen the launching of many new cruising powerboats from leading builders. Now you can see hundreds of new and used boats, without worrying about sunburn or trying to find your own Top-Siders among all those deposited on the dock behind a popular new boat.
A virtual shopping guide will list exhibitors by category – yachts, trawlers, cruisers, center consoles, etc. – and you can click on those that you’re interested in. You can visit a virtual booth and chat with brokers and builders. You also can take a video tour; the show will have hundreds of video walk-throughs demonstrating the highlights of new products. And it will have seminars by industry leaders, including the IFGA School of Sportfishing, and youth fishing clinics by Hook the Future.
Last year, more than 53,000 people went to the four-day show. Informa hopes that at least that many will attend the on-line version this year, since it will be available around the world. The show will be hosted on its own web platform, and registration is free. Read more:
