For those with a passion for sailing on the open sea, there are few things as enjoyable as a visit to a big boat show. They are an excellent platform to display and view the latest and greatest choices in seafaring vessels. Many of the top brands in the industry make a point of showing off their latest designs and technologies.
Most enthusiasts will be familiar with the big shows like the Monaco Yacht Show, boot Dusseldorf, and the Miami International Boat Show. These events attract tens of thousands of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors. There are however lesser known shows held in the Mediterranean and Caribbean that are certainly worth a visit.
Antigua Charter Yacht Show
Although more of a business-to-business exhibition, this event held across three marinas is a great venue to examine some of the top charter yachts of the Caribbean. Usually the last boat show of the year, it will be a six-day event in 2019 with opportunities for visiting brokers to enjoy a small cruise on the 5th day. It is a great place to get a test of the product and interact with locals.
East Med Yacht Show
Held in Marina Zeas, Piraeus, it features two sections. The yacht exhibition caters strictly to professionals looking to charter or buy a wide range of yachts. This is a business-to-business area where exhibitors can interact with and promote their products to an array of attending brokers and tour operators from across the world. The pavilions are where professionals can interact with visitors. There are 50 pavilions set up offering visitors ample opportunity to go onboard various vessels and interact with the crews.
Marmaris Yacht Charter Show
This show takes place at the Municipality Jetty in the old Marmaris Town in Turkey. Home to several marinas, this charming coastal town has a long sailing history. The Marmaris Yacht Charter Show has actually been taking place for 38 years and has earned a reputation for being the best destination to discover the latest in charter vessels in Turkey. It is a great place to visit for business and fun.
Palma Superyacht Show
Only in its seventh year, the Palma Superyacht show is held in sunny Mallorca at the Moll Vell Marina. It is a five-day event aimed at showcasing the best in superyachts over 24m. The event runs alongside the Boat Show Palma providing excellent opportunities for networking and marketing. There is an equal balance of motor and sailing yachts on display, with over 300 boats in the water, a third of which are superyachts.
Attending these shows not only allows you to see and possibly invest in the latest offerings but also provides an opportunity to partake in a range of aquatic activities. Organizers always arrange a smorgasbord of activities for visitors and their families to enjoy as they consider the many classic and new innovations from the best maritime engineering design teams. Make a point to visit some of these hidden gem boat shows to find out what makes them so special.
