Strictly Sail Miami
Miami is THE place to be over President’s Day weekend as more than 100,000 boating enthusiasts from around the globe are expected to flock to the Progressive® Insurance Miami International Boat Show. 2017 marks the show’s second year at the iconic Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin, where it will unveil a number of elements, including more boats, more yachts, and a new VIP experience.
The Miami Boat Show will unveil a number of additional show enhancements in 2017—from transportation to food and beverage—while maintaining all the elements that make the Miami Boat Show such a beloved experience for attendees and exhibitors. Highlights and enhancements include:
New for 2017! More Yachts, Larger Yachts and New VIP Experience
With a deep-water basin making it the ideal locale for yachts, the show is featuring more than 100 new luxury yachts, including dozens of debuts, making it one of the largest yachting exhibitions in the country. Top yacht manufacturers from around the world exhibiting at the show include: Tiara, Prestige, Carver, Riviera, Beneteau, Sabre, Jupiter, SeaRay, Viking, SV Yachts, Stamas Yachts, Marquis Yachts, Marlow Yachts, Bavaria Yachts, Azimut, and many more.
The new VIP experience will provide exclusive access to a private lounge, located aboard a 111-foot luxury yacht amidst some of the biggest boats and yachts ever displayed at the show. The lounge will offer upscale dining and beverage service, live music daily, an open-air sky deck, private restrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi, luxury product displays and services, and more. Tickets and VIP parking are limited and are available for purchase at www.miamiboatshow.com/attendees/vip-experience.
More Boats to Browse, Board and Buy – In-Water Selection Expands 35 Percent.
Organizers anticipate more than 1,300 new boats on display throughout this year’s show with more new model debuts than ever before. What’s more, the number of boats in-water is expanding 35 percent to an estimated 550 boats and yachts—all located in the show’s state-of-the-art, eco-friendly marina. From sport fishing boats and high performance boats, to personal watercraft and wake sport boats, family cruisers and luxury yachts, there is something for every lifestyle and budget.
More to Taste and Toast at the Miami Boat Show
The 2017 Miami Boat Show encourages attendees to come hungry and thirsty! A highlight of the 2017 show is an enhanced food & beverage program from Great Performances (caterer to the Miami Open and New York City Wine & Food Festival) featuring more than 150 options ranging from luxe to casual fare. Sample the curated “Taste of Miami Boat Show” menu including: • Burrito Workshop’s – One Hull of a Burrito • All American Classic’s – Captain’s Farm Fried Egg Burger • Sushi Maki’s – Surfside Rose Roll • HipPOPs – Chocolate Overboard
More Parking and Transportation Options
Come to the show by land or sea! With the popularity of park-and-ride in 2016 – an estimated 80 percent of attendees parked at designated offsite locations and traveled to the show via shuttle bus or water taxi – the Miami Boat Show has improved its transportation plan with even more efficiency including:
• Water Taxis: The number of water taxis increased by more than 47 percent for 2017. In addition, the capacity of water taxis has doubled, allowing the show to transfer more than twice the number of people than in 2016. Water taxi pick-up and drop-off locations will be streamlined from seven to four: American Airlines Arena, the Hyatt in downtown Miami, the W Hotel (formerly Viceroy) in downtown Miami on Brickell, and Bayfront Park (Strictly Sail location). Note that the final departure for return service from Strictly Sail to Miami Marine Stadium is at 7pm. Visit miamiboatshow.com/free-shuttle-and-water-taxi-services for more info.
• Shuttle Buses: Dozens of shuttle buses will circulate at all times from fewer locations than in 2016 to provide a more efficient transportation experience—getting more people to and from the show in less time.
There are four departure locations throughout downtown Miami: Marlins Park, American Airlines Arena, the Hyatt in downtown Miami, and Bayfront Park (Strictly Sail location). A fifth location runs between the Miami Boat Show and the Yachts Miami Beach show on Collins Avenue.
• Miami-Dade Transit: In addition, Miami-Dade county provides convenient and inexpensive transportation to the Progressive® Insurance Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail® Miami by Metrorail and Metromover. Buy your transit passes here: miamidade.gov/transit/online-services.asp • Parking: Downtown: An estimated 10,000 parking spaces are available in downtown Miami with easy access to water taxis and shuttle buses. Downtown lots include Marlins Park and American Airlines Arena. Reserve parking ahead of time at MiamiBoatShow.com.
Virginia Key: An additional 4,000 parking spaces are conveniently available on Virginia Key and must be reserved and prepaid in advance at MiamiBoatShow.com. Parking on Virginia Key is designated as: Lot B: General parking Lot C: VIP & handicapped. Valet: Drop-off and pick-up at the front entrance of the show. Uber/taxi: Drop-off and pick-up in Lot C.
Mini buses transport show goers to and from each lot on Virginia Key via a direct route to and from the show’s front entrance (rather than looping around the entire Rickenbacker Causeway as in 2016).
• Bicycle Parking and Special Lanes: Bicycle parking is provided in a designated area on Virginia Key next to Miami Marine Stadium. It is located on Hobie Beach by the MAST Academy traffic light and next to the crosswalk. Special signs have been made and will be placed to guide bicyclists to the bicycle parking area.
Cyclists using the provided bicycle racks within the designated bicycle parking area will be expected to lock their own bikes to the racks. Cyclists will also be able to use the FREE shuttle buses from Lot C to get to the main entrance of the show or a short walk, using the crosswalk and newly paved pedestrian walkway, will also get them to the show. Police will also man the MAST Academy intersection.
Each day of the show a Miami-Dade Police Department officer will focus on keeping the show’s bike lanes open and safe. The westbound bike lane will be straightened directly in front of the Miami Marine Stadium, where it now slants to the right toward the bus stop, to allow for a smoother and safer route. Reflective white tape will be used to mark the temporarily reconfigured bicycle lane. Signs will be placed to warn bicyclists of all changes before they occur. Signage will alert merging motorists heading west to watch for bikes.
Visit MiamiBoatShow.com for additional direction information.
More Strictly Sail
In addition to the Miami Marine Stadium footprint, the Miami Boat Show’s second location, Strictly Sail Miami, is returning to Miamarina at Bayside and showcasing approximately 130 sailboats, a large selection of sailing and power catamarans, dozens of daily seminars, and the newest sailing gear. Visitors to the Miami Boat Show can access Strictly Sail Miami by free water taxis or shuttle buses, running until 7p.m. daily. Visit strictlysailmiami.com for the latest seminar schedule and list of boats that will be at the show!
More On-Water Experiences
After its success in 2016, the Miami Boat Show will once again offer sea trials, where interested shoppers can take the boat of their dreams for a spin in Miami’s open waters. This year, more boat exhibitors will participate, giving boat buyers a chance to test-drive a number of options. In addition, following last year’s popular sold-out on-water boating skills workshops, the show will offer its Discover Boating Hands-On Skills Training with more daily power boating and sailing courses. Space is limited; advance registration is recommended.
More Support for Miami, Local Community
The 2017 show is expected to deliver a substantial economic impact, greater than two Super Bowls, at an estimated $597 million. More than 100,000 attendees from approximately 35 countries across the globe are expected at the 2017 Miami Boat Show, continuing to bolster tourism and put Miami on an international stage. The show directly employs 6,592 people full-time while supporting an estimated 55,000 jobs created by the Florida boating industry.
Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin, 3501 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, FL 33149
NOTE: The Strictly Sail Miami portion of the show remains at Miamarina at Bayside, 400 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
Show Hours: 10 am – 6 pm every day
Admission: Premier Day $40, Adult (age 16+) $25, Two-day pass (Fri–Mon, February 17–20) $45 Five-day pass $100, and 15 & younger FREE Tickets on sale Now at www.miamiboatshow.com
VIP Tickets & Parking: *Limited tickets & parking available for purchase Premier Day $100 includes Premier Day adult admission & access to VIP Lounge on Pier 9 VIP Experience $85 includes One-day adult admission & access to VIP Lounge on Pier 9 VIP Lounge Pass $70 includes One-day VIP Lounge Access located on Pier 9 Valet Parking $100 (advance rate) and $125.00 (on-site rate) at Whiskey Joe’s VIP Parking $75 per day, located at Lot C with shuttle bus services to main entrance Tickets on sale NOW at www.miamiboatshow.com/attendees/vip-experience
Accommodations: Visit miamiboatshow.com/accomodations now to book rooms at the best rates through the boat show’s official housing partner, OnPeak.
Learn More at: MiamiBoatShow.com Twitter, Facebook and Instagram: #MiamiBoatShow #StrictlySailMiami
Show Office Phone: Local Florida Office – 954.441.3220
