In this section

U.S. Department of Commerce Selects 2016 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show for International Buyer Program

| Boat/Sportshows

Miami, Fla.—June 24, 2016—The Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show announced today it has been selected by the United States Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration for its 2016 International Buyer Program (IBP) for the fourth consecutive year. The Miami International Boat Show, which is moving to Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin in 2016, was the only boat show selected for the program. In all, 23 U.S. trade shows were selected for the program.

The boat show was chosen as a result of the significant international audience it attracts each year. Known as one of the premier boat shows in the world with an economic impact of $600 million, the Miami International Boat Show attracts more than 100,000 people from across the globe and hosts an estimated 2,000 exhibitors who showcase the newest U.S.-made boats, engines and marine accessories. What’s more, recreational boats are uniquely American-made–95 percent of boats that are sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S.

The IBP is a joint government-industry effort that brings thousands of international buyers to the United States for business-to-business matchmaking with U.S. companies exhibiting at major industry trade shows. The program was created by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration to connect international buyers with U.S. manufacturers looking for new sales opportunities

“We are proud that, for the fourth consecutive year, the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show has been chosen to participate in this important U.S. business-driving initiative on behalf of the recreational boating industry,” said Julie Balzano, export director and the lead contact for the IBP program at the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the industry trade group that owns and produces the boat show. “To date, we have connected more than 500 international buyers from 26 countries to U.S. boating businesses, making the Miami Boat Show one of the boating industry’s key hubs for conducting international business.”

“The International Trade Administration is excited to support the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show in 2016 at its new home, Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin, giving us an opportunity to help generate significant international business for U.S.-based companies,” said Vidya Desai, acting director for the International Buyer Program. “The Miami Boat Show highlights the recreational transportation sector and is an ideal setting for increasing U.S. exports of these products. The boat show has generated millions of dollars in export sales for U.S. companies through the IBP and we look forward to working with the Miami Boat Show again.”

The Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show is produced and managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The NMMA’s international team is working with the IBP team to recruit qualified business-to-business buyers from around the world in anticipation of the boat show taking place February 11-15, 2016 at Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin in Miami, Florida. The program brings buyers to the doorsteps of U.S. boat, marine engine and accessory manufacturers and is an effective means for connecting international buyers with U.S. businesses.

 ###
 
About the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show: The Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit www.nmma.org.
 
About the International Trade Administration: The International Trade Administration (ITA) is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has 2,100 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 72 countries worldwide. For more information on ITA visit www.trade.gov.