Attendance up at Progressive Insurance Tampa Boat Show
The 2014 Progressive Insurance Tampa Boat Show drew nearly 19,000 people to the Tampa Convention Center and Harbor Sept. 5-7, with attendance up 4% compared to last year and coming on the heels of a 43% attendance increase at the 2013 boat show. The sold out show was the largest in six years, hosting more than 200 exhibitors and showcasing more than 500 boats for sale. And the boats did sell.
“We sold 22 boats – this was the best show in years,” noted Paul Knop, Family Boating Center.
“The show was great, definitely the best show since 2007. We sold 14 boats from 23 -25 feet,” said Jon Reinke, Outcast Watersports.
“We completely sold out of product by Saturday at 4pm,” echoed Chris Juall, Lazy Bunz.
The 2014 boat show featured several educational opportunities developed to drive buyers, including the new Progressive Boat School and the Discover Boating Hands-On Skills Training series, piloted at the 2011 Tampa Boat Show.
Marketing efforts also helped drive traffic, with advertising, public relations, consumer newsletters and social media blanketing the Tampa region leading up to and during the show. Noted Darren Plymale, Galatai Yacht Sales, “We had a great event and really appreciate the marketing and promotions to bring out the crowds!”
Visit TampaBoatShow.com for more information, and contact Scott Cohen to get involved in 2015.