Boating Industry

March 2016

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www.BoatingIndustry.com 14 | Boating Industry | March 2016 THERE WAS PLENTY of news, new prod- ucts and a new location at this year's Miami International Boat Show. Some long lines aside, the 2016 show seems to have had a successful move to its new location at Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin. Final attendance numbers were not available as this issue went to press, but show organizers estimate more than 100,000 people attended the 2016 show. "Whether it was the gorgeous weather, exhibitors reporting signifi cant sales, attend- ees having a blast enjoying the outdoor venue and all the new on-water features, or the more than 100,000 people from around the world who not only shopped our show but brought all-important tourism dollars to Miami-Dade — this year's show was the start of something very big for our industry and for South Flor- ida," said NMMA president Thom Dammrich. Most exhibitors Boating Industry talked to reported strong traffi c and high buyer interest from consumers at the show, with the only concerns being logistics of moving people to and from the location, along with the afore- mentioned waits for some services. "As we expected, we learned a lot with it being the fi rst time at our new home and we made adjustments each day of the show – adding more shuttle buses and relocating water taxis, adding personnel, improving com- munication and signage, decreasing food ser- vice wait times, and much more. … The plan works, we just need to apply more resources to it, which we'll do next year," Dammrich said. The problems this year are already being addressed for next year. "From transportation and signage to rest- rooms and food service — these are all very do- able and necessary improvements that we're already looking forward to implementing in our 2017 plans to make next year's show even better," Dammrich said. "While feedback from exhibitors has been overwhelmingly positive, we encourage all exhibitors to share their feed- back with us as we continue to enhance and Miami boat show highlights improve the show. This is the exhibitors' show — we need their suggestions to help us make it better in the years to come." Here are some of the top stories out of this year's show. For more on these stories, visit BoatingIndustry.com/miamiboatshow2016. Boat show director retiring Cathy Rick-Joule, vice president of boat shows for the NMMA and longtime director of the Miami show, announced her retirement. Rick-Joule had actually planned to step down earlier, but wanted to make sure the move of the show was successful, said Dammrich. She "worked tirelessly" on the move, and deserves credit for building the Miami show and other NMMA shows into the successful shows they are today, Dammrich said. NMMA executive vice president Ben Wold will fi ll her role while the association seeks a full-time replacement. Rick-Joule will continue to consult on the show for the next 12 to 18 months. Groupe Beneteau lays out future for RBH Brands The former Rec Boat Holding brands -- Four Winns, Glastron, Scarab and Wellcraft — will now be brought under the Beneteau and Jeanneau umbrellas under a plan laid out by Groupe Beneteau at the show. "This will offer a new robust organiza- tion for sales and marketing, manufacturing and product development," said CEO Herve Gastinel. "By combining our forces, we can invest more." Under the new sales organization, Well- craft and Glastron will be under Jeanneau. BY JONATHAN SWEET PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MAIMI BOAT SHOW

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