Apr 17, 2017

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today announced the sailing industry’s Progressive Insurance Strictly Sail Miami will join the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Showat Miami Marine Stadium, February 15-19, 2018.

The Progressive Strictly Sail Miami show, which was previously held at Miamarina at Bayside at the same time as the Progressive Miami International Boat Show, will bring nearly 100 sail boats to Miami Marine Stadium’s deep water basin. The two shows coming together creates a premier global power and sail event for the industry as the NMMA expects more than 700 boats in water and a sold out land exhibition at the 2018 Miami International Boat Show.

“The decision to combine these two iconic events is due in large part to feedback from sail and power exhibitors and attendees, for a single streamlined experience that encompasses all our industry has to offer,” said Ben Wold, executive vice president of NMMA and show manager for the Progressive Miami International Boat Show. “We’ve built the ultimate boat show venue at Miami Marine Stadium that’s ideal for both power and sail so bringing these two shows together will without a doubt deliver even more impressive results for the industry.”

“Following the most successful Boat Show in the 28 year history of our company, The Catamaran Company is anxiously looking forward to joining power and sail at the 2018 Progressive Miami International Boat Show at Miami Marine Stadium,” said Hugh Murray, president of the Catamaran Company. “As the largest retailer of catamarans in the U.S., the Miami show has for us become the premier catamaran show in the U.S. with more catamarans on display than any other show. The 2017 show covered the entire range of catamarans from 30 feet all the way up to 77 feet, the first time this had ever been seen at any U.S. boat show, and the growth of this market sector is showing no signs of slowing down.”

NMMA plans to create a sail-specific in-water section at Miami Marine Stadium to accommodate the nearly 100 sail boats and catamarans moving from Miamarina at Bayside. To provide a cohesive experience for exhibitors and attendees, sailing accessories, sail travel and charter experiences, and other sail-focused booth displays, will be featured, to the extent possible, in a focused on-land area of the Progressive Miami International Boat Show.

“With streamlined marketing that promotes one location and additional time for attendees to spend at the show instead of traveling between the two, having power and sail together in one location will create an even stronger sales and marketing venue for exhibitors,” said Thom Dammrich, president of NMMA. “A single power and sail show of this magnitude provides a destination for all types of boating enthusiasts from around the globe and we’re excited to be able to bring it to life.”

NMMA expects a sold-out 2018 Progressive Miami International Boat Show and encourages power and sail exhibitors to contact Larry Berryman at lberryman@nmma.org or 954.441.3227 or Kevin Murphy at kmurhphy@nmma.org or 401.651.3220 with questions about reserving space before the end of April.

The 2018 Progressive Miami International Boat Show will be held February 15-19 at Miami Marine Stadium. Learn more at www.MiamiBoatShow.com.