THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT THE NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

Aug 14, 2016

Newport Exhibition Group have announced the activities and amenities for those planning to attend its 46th annual show. The largest boat show in New England and the ‘kick off’ to the fall boat show season, the Newport International Boat Show provides visitors from around the world a venue to see the latest boats and product offerings from hundreds of manufacturers and dealers, including dozens debuting for the first time in the United States. Set along historic Newport Harbor in the heart of downtown Newport, the show also offers a wealth of education and fun activities for boating enthusiasts of all ages and experience.

At The Helm by Confident Captain offers on the water training for boaters of all experience levels. Professional USCG-licensed and U.S. Powerboating certified instructors will lead students through engaging lessons and important boating strategies to help improve confidence and ability. The program is open to all show attendees and runs all four days of the show. This year, At The Helm has partnered with Boston Whaler as the official powerboat; attendees that choose a powerboat course will get to drive the latest offerings from this iconic brand. For those interested in learning how to sail, “First Sail” has been added to the course schedule; Beneteau America is the official sailboat of the program.

Also for sailors, the experience of a lifetime has just been added to the 2016 At The Helm program. Confident Captain will offer a professional sailing experience on a high-performance M32 catamaran. Participants can sail on a boat recently used for the World Match Racing Tour and one of the most exciting boats on the water.

This year’s show includes CruiserPort University, which will offer a number of classroom-style seminars by world-renowned speakers. Experts in their field: Peter Swanson, Nigel Calder, Paul Comyns, Bob Sweet, Jeremey Davis, Lou Codega, Kim Russo and more will cover important topics for boaters of all experience levels.

Also on tap are weekend workshops offered by Lee Chesneau and Pam Wall. Lee’s courses cover Tropical Cyclone Basics; Rules for Avoidance; and An Introduction to the Surface Pressure Chart. Wall will expand on Outfitting for Blue Water Cruising and share her knowledge of Cruising The Bahamas. Both speakers are legends in their field and chock full of good advice.

The official charitable partner of the Show is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society‘s Leukemia Cup Regatta. The Environmental Partner is Sailors for the Sea. Both organizations have linked the love of boating to their very vital missions – finding a cure for cancer and ocean conservation, respectively – causes close to the heart of the Newport International Boat Show organizers as well as many show attendees. These non-profit organizations will have booths onsite and attendees will have the opportunity to meet the staff and get valuable information regarding their important missions. The Leukemia Cup Regatta will be in Tent A #47.  Sailors for the Sea can be found in Tent A #23.

Visitors on Thursday will have the opportunity to cast their vote for the best new sailboat or powerboat making its U.S. debut in the Newport For New Products People’s Choice Award. One voter will be selected at random to win a $250 American Express Gift Card. Voting ballots are available at all gates. The 11th Annual Newport For New Product winners will be announced on Friday morning. Categories include: Best Sailboat, Powerboat & Products. The Edson Star Award honours exhibitors with the best looking display in the show. While in Newport, guests can also tour America’s newest Tall Ship, the 200-foot SSV Oliver Hazard Perry (OHP). She is the first fully-rigged, ocean going Tall Ship to be built in America in over 100 years. The OHP will be docked on Perry Mill Wharf. Attendees must have a boat show wristband to board. On Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the lovely and talented Sailor Donna will entertain children with singing, face painting and balloon art.

New for this year, guests can sign-up at the show to win an 8-day, 7-night all-inclusive vacation at the exquisite Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands. BEYC was selected as one of the “world’s best resorts” by Conde Nast Traveler. Look for kiosks throughout the Show site promoting this fabulous vacation get-a-way.

“The programs and activities we offer complement the boats, products and services that our exhibitors bring to our Show,” said Nancy Piffard, show director of Newport Exhibition Group. “The show experience, coupled with Newport’s own amenities such as award-winning restaurants, historic landmarks, fashionable boutiques and galleries, make for a boat show destination that is second to none!”

Expected to draw tens of thousands to historic Newport, the Newport International Boat Show will take place Thursday, September 15th through Sunday, September 18th, 2016 on the Newport waterfront along America’s Cup Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island. One of the largest in-water boat shows in the country, the event will host nearly 750 exhibitors from around the world with an exceptional assortment of boats of every type and style from 15 to 110 feet, and a wide variety of accessories, equipment, electronics, gear and services for boaters.

For more information on the 46th Annual Newport International Boat Show and to purchase tickets, please visit www.newportboatshow.com. Event updates will be posted as they become available and communicated on the show’s Twitter and Facebook accounts: @Newportboatshow and www.facebook.com/newportboatshow, respectively. Social media posts will also be tagged #NIBS2016.