2009 Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami

World’s Largest Boat Show Docks in Miami February 12-16, 2009

WHAT: The Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami is one of the world’s largest boating exhibitions. The five-day event brings together thousands of the year’s newest powerboats, engines, sailboats, electronics and marine accessories from more than 2,200 exhibitors at the best deals of the year.

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 12, through Monday, Feb. 16, 2009
Thursday, Feb. 12 (Premier Thursday): 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13 – Sunday, Feb. 15: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 16: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
In-water displays at the Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center and Miamarina at Bayside 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily

WHERE: Miami Beach Convention Center
1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach
Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center
1635 North Bayshore Drive, Miami
Miamarina at Bayside Marketplace (Strictly Sail Miami)
401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami

ADMISSION:
Miami Beach Convention Center and Miamarina at Bayside: $30 for Premier Thursday, Feb. 12
$16 for adults, Feb. 13-16
FREE for children under 12
$6 for children ages 13-15
$30 for an adult two-day pass, valid any two days Feb. 13-16
Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center: FREE
E-tickets for the Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami are available at MiamiBoatShow.com or StrictlySail.com and are redeemable Feb. 12-16 at special e-ticket-only entrances of the Show.

TRANSPORTATION: FREE South Beach local and air-conditioned shuttle-bus service connects show locations with more than 15,000 parking spaces.
For $10 a day, visitors can park at the American Airlines Arena and Bicentennial Park, where a park-and-ride facility will connect them to the Show’s three locations. The free shuttle buses run continuously from one hour prior to the Show’s opening until one hour after the Show’s closing.

At the Miami Beach Convention Center, buses drop off passengers at the main entrance on Washington Avenue and pick up passengers at the west side of the outdoor patio on Meridian Avenue.

At the Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center, the passenger drop-off and pick-up station is located at the main entrance by the Marriott on North Bayshore Drive.

At Miamarina at Bayside, shuttle buses pick up and drop off passengers at the show entrance located on the water’s edge in front of the Hard Rock Café.

INFORMATION: Call (954) 441-3220 or visit the Miami International Boat Show’s Web sites at MiamiBoatShow.com or Strictly Sail’s Web site at StrictlySail.com.

The Miami International Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows. NMMA is the leading association representing the $37.5 billion per year recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the U.S. For more information about the NMMA, visit www.nmma.org.

The 68th annual Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami returns to South Florida on Feb. 12-16, 2009, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center, and Miamarina at Bayside.

The world’s greatest boat show brings together more than 2,200 exhibitors showcasing thousands of the newest powerboats, sailboats, engines, marine electronics and accessories, at the best deals of the year. In addition to boats, there is a host of interactive seminars and demonstrations to educate visitors about the boating lifestyle and enhance time spent out on the water.

“Visitors from around the globe flock to Miami to see the latest and greatest the boating industry has to offer – if you’re a boater, or thinking about becoming one, this is a can’t miss event,” said Cathy Rick-Joule, show manager of the Miami show and vice president of Southern Shows for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). “Boating is big business in Miami, but we’ll be taking it to a whole new level this year with exhibitors offering incredible deals and our three locations bringing access to the world’s best boats and boating gear.”

Highlights of the 2009 Miami International Boat Show include:

Big Game Room Sport Fishing Expo
To help experienced boaters and novices learn angling skills and hone their fishing techniques, the Miami International Boat Show brings together every product and resource imaginable into one central location at the Big Game Room Sport Fishing Expo, which is co-presented by Marlin, Sport Fishing and Salt Water Sportsman magazines along with The Outdoor Channel, America’s leader in outdoor TV.

Now in its sixth year, the Big Game Room provides visitors with opportunities to see and buy the latest fishing gear; participate in interactive seminars led by fishing legends; gather information on fishing destinations, charters and tournaments; and simply share good times with fellow anglers.

The Big Game Room is located on the second floor of the Miami Beach Convention Center, above Hall B.

Discover Boating Center
The Discover Boating Center is an educational hub providing Show visitors with unbiased advice on selecting, buying and maintaining a boat in addition to information about financing, popular fishing destinations, boating tips and more. The “Boating Guy” will also be on hand to give seminars on a wide variety of boating topics.

The Discover Boating Center is located in Lobby C of the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Boating Safety Challenge
Visitors are asked to “Take the Sea Tow Challenge” and try a boating safety activity hosted by the Sea Tow Foundation for Boating Safety and Education. The challenge encourages recreational boaters to learn more about boating safety concepts and the importance of wearing a life jacket while on the water. Prizes will be awarded for various levels of participation.
The Boating Safety Challenge is located in Lobby C of the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Miami Herald Discover Boating Photo Contest
Show visitors are invited to submit their favorite boating lifestyle photographs and enter to win a 12-foot Adirondack Boat Pack, valued at $2,500, and a $500 Miami International Boat Show shopping spree in the 7th annual Miami Herald Discover Boating Photo Contest. Ten honorable mentions will receive $50 Miami International Boat Show shopping sprees.

Photo entries can be submitted online at MiamiBoatShow.com, or visitors to the Show may submit their photos at the Discover Boating Center, located in Lobby C of the Miami Beach Convention Center. Winners will be announced after 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Boater’s World Giveaway
Visitors can enter to win a $1000 Boater’s World Gift Certificate, simply by completing an entry form available in the Convention Center lobby at the Miami show.

Triumph Boat Giveaway
Boating enthusiasts have the opportunity to complete an entry form for a chance to win a Triumph 1700 Skiff Boat Package valued at $17,527 (M.S.R.P.). For more details, visit MiamiBoatShow.com for your chance to win.

Sunset Celebrations
Visitors to the Miami International Boat Show can celebrate the South Florida sunsets with food and drink specials from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, through Sunday, Feb. 15, along Convention Center Drive at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The Local Boater Option Registration
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will be at the show to enroll eligible participants in the CBP Local Boater Option (LBO). This is a new voluntary, free of charge, program which allows a participant to telephonically report the arrival of their private vessel, make customs declarations, submit any necessary additional information, and be cleared for immigration purposes without the need to report to a port of entry in person. Please visit the CBP booth to speak with an officer and register.

Highlights of the 2009 Strictly Sail Miami include:

Discover Sailing Center
Visitors of all ages can experience the thrill of sailing under the supervision of an experienced sailor at the Discover Sailing Center, located on a floating dock between Piers A and B at Miamarina. These free, half-hour lessons aboard catamarans and multihulls introduce Show attendees to the sailing experience while remaining in a controlled environment.

Sailing Seminar Series
Visitors can hone their skills and receive tips for enhancing their sailing experiences through a daily series of nearly 100 free seminars led by renowned experts.

Kids Aboard Boat Building Program
Children ages six and older can participate in free boat-building workshops from noon-6 p.m. every day of the Show. Under the supervision of bilingual, U.S.-certified instructors, children create two 10-foot wooden sailing yachts that will be launched into Biscayne Bay on Monday, Feb. 16.

South African Pavilion Multi-Hull Lagoon
The South African Boatbuilders Business Council and the South African Consulate General return to Miami for the fourth year, bringing ten world-class sailing vessels, marine accessories and tourist information from the Cape.

Annual Latitudes and Attitudes Cruiser’s Bash
As the Show winds down to a close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, the annual Strictly Sail Cruiser’s Bash kicks off into high gear. Visitors can mingle with a swarm of sailors, feast on free beer and pizza and enjoy the tropical sounds of a live band. Entry into the Cruiser’s Bash is FREE with a Saturday admission ticket.

Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami hours are Thursday, Feb. 12 (Premier Thursday) from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 13, and Sunday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Monday, Feb. 16 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The marinas close at 6 p.m. daily. For advance tickets and more information, visit MiamiBoatShow.com.

About Miami International Boat Show
The Miami International Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows. NMMA is the leading association representing the $37.5 billion per year recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the U.S. For more information about the NMMA, visit www.nmma.org.

About Strictly Sail Miami
Strictly Sail Miami is endorsed by Sail America, the sailing industry trade association, in cooperation with NMMA. For more information about Sail America, call (800) 817-SAIL or visit www.sailamerica.com.