The Miami International Boat Show crushed it with a higher than expected, 87% positive stance supporting the continued yearly presence of the show. Marine Industries Association in cooperation with 7 other organizations that support the show commissioned the poll in all 13 Miami-Dade County Districts, thus covering the entirety of the are that the boat show would affect. With such an overwhelmingly positive result, the show will continue at its fullest capacity, ushering in its 74th year and counting.
In addition to polling for support of the show, the entities involved also polled for the public’s opinion on the show’s move from its historic home, the Miami Beach Convention Center, to the Village of Key Biscayne and Virginia Key. Despite some objections from the residents, polling in favor of the move remained strong commanding a 46% to 31% margin. In fact, the district in which the show it planned to take place this year has had a higher show attendance than all but one of the other districts polled. Such positive results are clearly an indication of the desirable effects the show has on local businesses and labor groups. Many of these local businesses rely heavily on the business generated by the boat show and showing their unwavering support guarantees them another fruitful year. “Each year, our union membership is heavily involved in putting the Miami International Boat Show together, from move-in to move-out,” said Al Lichtman, of the Sign, Display & Allied Trades Local Union 1175. This year will be no exception as each business plans on the show as an important source of income and urges the public and community to support the event.
The regional marine industry is an $11.5 billion behemoth that grows steadily each year employing over 136,000 people. The boat show as well as Yachts Miami Beach, which occur at the same time make it all so apparent that they are part of the backbone of the regions main industry. Clearly the support of the show and its move are high and we can without a doubt expect this year’s show to be as big as ever and the best one to date.
