Miami Boat Show Celebrates 75th Anniversary at Iconic New Venue

The 2016 Progressive® Insurance Miami International Boat Show® Premieres the Best in Boating

February 11-15, 2016

Miami, Fla. – January 12th, 2016 - The Progressive® Insurance Miami International Boat Show®, recognized as one of the world’s largest boat shows and THE winter destination to experience the best in boating, marks its 75th year with a new home, the iconic Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin, February 11-15, 2016. Just minutes from downtown Miami, the Boat Show’s new location provides visitors with the ideal location to shop thousands of new boats and accessories and experience life on the water.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate 75 years in Miami, than moving to our new home at Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin,” said Cathy Rick-Joule, director of the Miami International Boat Show. “Historically a boating destination, complete with a deep water basin and direct proximity to the water, Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin provides an island oasis for attendees to truly enjoy all the boating lifestyle has to offer.”

Boating enthusiasts and dreamers alike can board and browse more than 1,200 new boats both on land and in-water, including everything from luxury yachts and sport fishers, to high-speed performance boats and family cruisers. Attendees can also take a free water taxi or shuttle bus to Strictly Sail Miami, the Miami Boat Show’s second location at Miamarina at Bayside, featuring more than 125 sailboats, dozens of daily seminars, and the newest sailing gear being introduced in 2016, truly making it a sailor’s paradise.

Highlights of the 2016 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show:

A Boater’s Shopping Paradise. The boat show’s new footprint elevates showgoers’ entertainment experiences. There will be more than one million square feet of exhibitor space displaying marine products at Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin. The site will feature large, state-of-the art, air-conditioned clear span structures will showcase boats, engines, electronics and more on land while temporary boat slips will house more than 400 boats in a marina setting, featuring 100% EPA-compliant docks.

Get Your Feet Wet. For those looking to get out and learn on the water, Discover Boating Hands-On Skills Training offers exclusive on-the-water powerboating and sailing workshops. Watersports lovers can make their way to the new Try It Cove and try activities such as kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, all while enjoying the picturesque backdrop of downtown Miami. Boat demonstrations and sea trials from various boat manufacturers and dealers are available for serious shoppers looking to take a test drive.

Wine & Dine Like a Boater. Food and beverage experiences also play a big part of the Miami Boat Show’s makeover. From on-water dining locations to pop-up restaurants, attendees and their families can please their palates with a variety of exciting new options, making this a boat show like no other:

Waterside Café – Savor the on-water views and enjoy an upscale dining experience
Zignum Lounge – This waterfront tequila bar is a spirited spot to relax, have a drink and a bite to eat
Biscayne Bay Café – Share, sip and dine. Sample seafood and lighter fare overlooking the on-water portion of the show
Havana Club & Cigar Bar - Sample Cuban cuisine and take a break from the show to enjoy a cigar in the smoking lounge
Roasted Pig - Savor a selection of tasty BBQ and grilled fare served in a casual, comfortable atmosphere
Beer Garden - Enjoy a cold beer and classic pub fare along with salads, and other bites including sushi
Kids Corner - Keep the little ones happy with kid-friendly cuisine including build your own pizza, a fro-yo station and more
Concessions Stands - Grab-and-go options with traditional beloved boat show fare located throughout the show
Rusty Pelican and Whiskey Joe’s will remain open for sit-down, on-water dining experiences

Celebrating 75 Years of Boating in Miami. The Miami Boat Show celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2016 and is featuring three iconic South Florida boats.

Pilar - Fishing boat built by Wheeler Shipyard, Inc. - Replica and “sistership” of Ernest Hemingway’s famous boat that inspired many of his works including the classic, The Old Man and the Sea
Original Miami Vice Scarab - James “Sonny” Crockett’s speedboat in the TV series Miami Vice
Carol Suzanne - Vintage South Florida racing boat - Miami Marine Stadium Basin’s most prominent racing boat built by Robert Schroeder

Come by Sea - Travel to the Show Like a Boater! New, free park & ride options include dozens of pick-up and drop-off points for water taxi and shuttle bus service, located throughout Miami, will make getting to and from the show seamless and fun. Attendees can board a water taxi or shuttle bus from mainland hotels, park & ride lots, and Metro Rail stations in Downtown, Brickell and Coconut Grove areas. Visit http://www.miamiboatshow.com/public-transportation to view the full list of pick-up and drop-off points to access the show.

Miami-Dade Transit provides convenient and inexpensive transportation to the Progressive® Insurance Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail® Miami by Metrorail and Metromover. Get direction and stop information at MiamiBoatShow.com/public-transportation.

What’s more, hop on a free Freebee to take you directly to shuttle and water taxi stops. To request rides select the “Take me to the Boat Show” button on the home screen of the Freebee Mobile App. Freebee offers FREE electric car taxi for short in-town distances, compliments of the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show.

Where:

Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin on Virginia Key

3501 Rickenbacker Causeway

Miami, FL 33149