In this section

Five Boat Shows Open Across the Country This Week

| Boat/Sportshows

Beginning today and running through the weekend, five of the industry’s boat shows will be open to the public, offering the year’s best deals, seminars, career opportunities, hands-on experiences and a taste of recreational boating for all ages. Check out the summaries below for the New York, Louisville, Baltimore, Minneapolis, and Chicagoland shows:

The Progressive® Insurance New York Boat Show® begins today at the Javits Center and runs through Sunday. In its 115th year, Governor Cuomo, alongside NMMA President, Frank Hugelmeyer, will officially open the show to the public and give opening remarks to the crowd. In addition to the Governor’s attendance, the show is featuring a new ‘Experience Miami in NYC.’ Hosted by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, boat show guests can visit the immersive experience to escape into a tropical getaway in the middle of the NYC winter. Other features include the fourth annual Career Day, inviting hundreds of NYC high school and college students to learn about careers in the marine industry; the annual Super Thursday event, where attendees can snag discounted food and beverage deals and take advantage of one-day-only special offers; and the Kids Build-a-Boat Experience.

The Progressive ® Insurance Louisville Boat & Sportshow® opens today, showcasing the region’s largest display of boats, RVs and outdoors accessories. Returning for the second year as sponsor, Four Roses will be on-site leading Bourbon tastings and seminars in the Four Roses Lounge. Other experiences for attendees include an expanded kids’ area featuring a appearances by Yogi Bear™, Trout Pond, and more; an NMMA sportshow favorite, the Hawg Trough; Super Thursday; and annual Poker Run event on Friday night.

Tomorrow, the Progressive® Insurance Baltimore Boat ShowTM begins at the Baltimore Convention Center. This year’s show will grow by 32,750 square feet with more boats and a brand-new tackle and fishing section featuring hands-on tutorials focused on trolling, tackle and live bait fishing. Also new to the show is the Discover Boating Experience (DBX) – a hub for boaters offering attendees a place to relax and hear a variety of boating themed presentations, new product demos and DIY boating tips. Additional features back by popular demand include the 10th Annual Crab Pickin’ contest, Super Thursday, the Virtual Reality Fishing Simulator, and the 6th Annual Career Day in partnership with the Marine Trades Association of Maryland on Friday, January 24th.

Additionally, the Progressive® Insurance Minneapolis Boat Show ® kicks off tomorrow. The event will fill the Minneapolis Convention Center with more than 700 new boats from the region’s leading dealers and manufacturers, with several new boats and marine companies set to make product debuts. Returning for the 3rd year are the Minneapolis Boat Show Innovation Awards. Award winners will be announced this evening during the show’s sneak preview night. New features this year include the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” Lifestyle Experience, and returning favorites including the Antique & Classic Boat Display and Island Lifestyle Experience.

Finally, the Progressive® Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo also begins tomorrow. The show is heavy on seminars hosted by the industry’s most elite anglers, including Jordan Lee (2017 and 2019 Bassmaster Classic Winner) and Brandon Palaniuk (2018 Angler of the Year). New features this year include Super Thursday and the Women in Fishing Q&A/Panel on Sunday, hosted by top female fishing guides, anglers and owners of women-owned fishing businesses. Other highlights include the Hawg Trough, the hands-on virtual reality fishing simulator, and the popular Wings & Talons experience featuring birds of prey.

This week’s boat and sportshows have been making headlines across the country, including a national segment on Fox & Friends that aired on Jan. 19th shining a light not only on the NY Show but recreational boating industry (more on this in a future Currents). Here’s a sampling of media coverage from every market:

  • NEW YORK: CBS NY – Boats Arrive at the Javits Center for 2020 NY Boat Show
  • LOUISVILLE: The Lane Report – U.S. Boat Sales Reach Second Highest Volume in 12 Years, Expected to Remain Strong in 2020
  • BALTIMORE: NBC Baltimore – The Baltimore Boat Show Makes its way Downtown this Weekend
  • MINNEAPOLIS: ABC Minneapolis – The Midwest’s biggest boat sow coming to Minneapolis in late January
  • CHICAGOLAND: Suburban Chicagoland – Progressive Insurance Hosts 2020 Fishing, Travel and Outdoor Expo