Annapolis, Maryland. All systems are full speed ahead for next week's opening of the 43rd running of the United States Sailboat Show, the largest since 2007. Nearly a mile and a half of floating docks are pre-staged and will be towed in place and connected to 60 temporary pilings on Monday morning. By the end of day on Wednesday, October 3, a 250 boat marina will be filled with new boats, tents on floats, and will bring a sailing industry primed for the most important boat show of their year. Among the boats will be three dozen multihulls, 6 boats for demo as part of the Take the Wheel program, and 15 charter boats plus two dozen vacation destinations in Vacation Basin, presented by Cruising World Magazine. All floating docks have been rented and every land and booth space is filled with a waiting list for more.
Additional show features like free seminar programs by Cruising World and Chesapeake Bay Magazines are scheduled for all days of the show. A Hendricks Gin tasting barge bar will serve sample cocktails, and door prize registrations will be received in Vacation Basin and throughout the show. Thousands of people will travel from every state in the country and around the world to experience the excitement of the Annapolis Boat Shows, and then return home having been enriched by the history, the maritime heritage, and the beauty that is Annapolis.
Ed Hartman, President of United States Yacht Shows, Inc., the producer of the event said "We are gratified by the enthusiastic support the industry has shown us again this year. We expect large crowds and tremendous economic benefit to the community of Annapolis and the state of Maryland." In addition to this large exhibitor group, many other companies have chosen to associate their brands with these events as official sponsors. They include:
Jaguar Land Rover
BoatUS
Cruising World Magazine Chesapeake Bay Magazine
Heritage Auctions
BVI Tourism Board
Bank of America
The Sailing Industry Breakfast will be hosted by Sail America on Friday, October 5 at 0800. USYS will sponsor the breakfast and Sail America will present an overview of their programs and plans in the years to come. The Best in Show awards will be awarded to winners in six individual categories and overall grand prize for excellence in display presentation for 2012.
United States Yacht Shows, Inc. produces other events throughout the year, including:
