Despite the ongoing pandemic sweeping across the state of Florida in North America two boat shows are set to take place in the next few days.
Named locally as one of the top 20 events in the area the Annually held Stuart Boat Show is the largest boat show on Florida’s Treasure Coast. Running from January 15th until the 17th, it will feature over 175 local, national and international exhibitors displaying hundreds of boats in-water and on land.
Many boat brands are represented at the show, which the organisers describe as being A COVID-Conscious & Safe Outdoor Event.
Covering yachts, ranging in size from 4 metres to over 30 metres in length, other exhibits include stands displaying personal watercraft, marine electronics, outboard and inboard engines, safety equipment, accessories, boat lifts, fishing gear, nautical clothing and jewellery, as well as financing and insurance companies.
The second show taking place is the 43rd Annual St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show.
This, the largest boat show on the Gulf Coast, starts on Thursday, January 14th and runs through until the Sunday.
Despite Florida declaring the highest number of cases ever this week and with deaths in the state topping 23,000, the Show is moving forward as planned.
Data issued by the Centers for Disease Control shows Florida has nearly half the known cases in the United States of a mutated and likely more contagious strain of the coronavirus as Florida reported nearly 20,000 more cases in a single day.
Organisers Informa, have stated, “The health and safety of our staff, exhibitors and visitors is of the utmost importance and as such will follow safety standards created and implemented by Informa in coordination with association partners.”
All show staff, exhibitors and attendees will be required to have their temperature checked before entering the show and in accordance with emergency orders issued by City of St Petersburg and Pinellas County it will be mandatory to wear face masks throughout the show.
Informa, who also went ahead with the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show last November, still have plans to go ahead with another of the flagship superyacht shows.
Their Palm Beach International Boat Show (PIBS) has had its dates pushed back to March and will now run for three days starting March 28th.
Celebrating 25 years at its Downtown West Palm Beach location, the 35th annual event claims to be one of the top five boat shows in America. The show will feature more than $1.2 billion worth of yachts and accessories, including craft ranging from 2 metre inflatables to super yachts nearly 100 metres in length.
Taking perhaps a more responsible attitude the Miami International Boat Show (MIBS) has cancelled this year’s event and announced dates for next year’s show. It will run from February 17th until the 21st in 2022