The Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show, presented by West Marine, announced today they are partnering with Costa Sunglasses (Costa), the leading manufacturer of color-enhancing all-polarized sunglass lenses to promote conservation and educate consumers about the importance of protecting the ocean and marine environments. The Costa Conservation Village will debut at the 2019 Miami Boat Show, featuring more than a dozen of the industry’s conservation leaders, who will be on hand to educate and inform attendees about critical environmental issues, from efforts to restore and protect marine ecosystems to game fish conservation.
“We’re proud to partner with Costa Sunglasses, a marine industry business that’s helping lead the way to engage more people in preserving our waters. As boaters and anglers, we’re some of our country’s original conservationists who want to ensure our waters are healthy for future generations, which is why we’re joining forces to bring this program to life,” noted Larry Berryman, show director. “We have an impressive, diverse line-up of partners participating in the inaugural Costa Conservation Village who will help educate and remind attendees why it’s so critical that we each do our part to ensure our marine environments are prioritized.”
Exhibitors of the 2019 Costa Conservation Village include: The Billfish Foundation, Biscayne Foundation, Biscayne National Park, Bonefish Tarpon Trust, Captains for Clean Water, Coastal Conservation Association, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, International Game Fish Association, Nature Conservancy, United States Border Protection, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary , University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science’s
RECOVER Program, and Volvo Penta.
South Florida marine artist and angler,
“Coastal Kristen,” will also make daily appearances within the Village, showcasing her designs, which illustrate her passion for the South Florida waters and respect for all things created in the ocean.
Beyond the Conservation Village, marine conservation is front-and-center at the 2019 Miami Boat Show. As part of an effort to continue to reduce the use of plastic and help raise awareness for the plastic pollution issue, the Miami Boat Show has partnered with Costa’s Kick Plastic initiative. As part of the effort, filtered watered stations will be offered at key points around the show. Complementing this, Costa will offer reusable water containers for sale at the show (24 oz. aluminum water bottles for $10), so attendees can be a part of the solution in reducing the amount of plastic used at the show. As an incentive to use the aluminum bottles, show attendees who purchase a Costa Kick Plastic bottle at the show will receive a free gift from Costa when they visit the Conservation Village.
“The Miami Boat Show’s commitment to conservation with the Costa Conservation Village and their efforts, as an industry leader, to Kick Plastic are a big step in helping raise awareness for the issues facing our watery world,” said Andrew Cox, offshore community leader for Costa. “Costa believes it’s our responsibility to protect and preserve our oceans and waterways, a pillar that ties directly to our brand mission, and we’re proud to have industry partners like the Miami Boat Show helping in those efforts.”
Show attendees will also be able to see firsthand Costa’s new Untangled Collection, a line of sunglass frames made entirely from recycled fishing nets – the most harmful form of ocean plastic. The new collection features four frame styles made from 100 percent recycled fishing nets, each featuring mineral glass polarized lenses, recycled aluminum Costa logos, PLUSfoam recyclable temple and nose pads, and a unique tumbled finish. This new collection, along with other Costa styles will be available for purchase at the Captain Harry’s Fishing Supply, Crook & Crook and Hopkins Carter Marine Hardware booths.
Additional site-wide initiatives to encourage conservation include:
- The boat show has eliminated plastic straws.
- Concessions are introducing a new line of disposables for ‘grab and go’ items that are recyclable and compostable.
- There will be zero Styrofoam on the premises (for the 3rd year in a row).
- Renewable and plant-based coffee cups, sleeves, and recyclable lids will be used throughout the show.
- The boat show is removing the use of hard plastic utensils from the docks and VIP Lounge, replaced with Green Ware Products utensils.
- The boat show is eliminating the printing of official show press materials and transitioning exclusively to digital.
As a member of International Federation of Boat Show Organizers (IFBSO), the Miami International Boat Show’s conservation endeavors support IFBSO’s #ReThinkPlastic initiative – to remove single-use plastics packaging, as well as become champions of spreading environmental awareness in an effort to tackle the global pollution crisis.
For more information, visit MiamiBoatShow.com. Social – #KickPlasticMIBS, #MiamiBoatShow @MiamiBoatShow @CostaSunglasses