All Aboard for Adventure at the Orlando Boat Show Returning to Orange County

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Hosted by the Marine Industry Association of Central Florida, the eagerly awaited Orlando Boat Show will unfold over three vibrant days from April 5th through 7th, 2024, at the esteemed Orange County Convention Center, within North Hall B. This prestigious event will showcase an impressive lineup, featuring 19 premier boat dealers from the region, who collectively represent upwards of 80 esteemed manufacturers, bringing nearly 400 boats for exhibition.

Attendees can expect a diverse array of vessels, including bowriders, center consoles, deck boats, flats boats, fishing boats designed for fresh waters, jet boats, pontoons, and surf boats, designed to cater to various lifestyles and financial plans.

Exclusive deals, not available outside of the event, will be offered by both dealers and manufacturers, including but not limited to, enhanced warranty periods, comprehensive service deals, dockage fees waiver, upgrades on electronics, and bundled accessory options.

“The Orlando Boat Show is designed for new and avid boaters to explore the latest in boating trends and technology, featuring hundreds of new 2024 models by the world’s leading boat manufacturers,” said Joe Lewis, general manager of Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina and president of MIACF. “With interactive displays and a new kids’ fishing clinic, the whole family will enjoy the best of boating at one show.”

Lewis highlighted the undeniable positive impact engaging in boating activities has on both mental and physical health, encompassing aspects of well-being, wonder, creativity, joy, and relaxation.

Emerging studies highlight the multifaceted benefits – emotional, behavioral, and psychological – derived from interactions with water, whether being near, in, on, or under it, particularly through boating. The significance of boating, in connection with the world’s aquatic environments, is thoroughly recognized across economic, environmental, and educational spectrums.

Event tickets are currently available for purchase, priced at $10 for each individual, while entrance is complimentary for children aged 12 and under.

The Orange County Convention Center offers parking at a rate of $10.65, exclusively accepting cashless payments.

The ticket price encompasses access to all the event’s featured activities, which include:

• The “Hook The Future” children’s fishing clinics hosted by Captain Don Dingman, famed for his appearances on the Sportsman Channel. These clinics offer youngsters between the ages of 5 and 15 an interactive learning experience on basic fishing techniques, safety, and conservation. Participants are gifted a rod and reel combo post-clinic, subject to availability.
• Twiggy, the internationally acclaimed waterskiing squirrel, offers a unique blend of entertainment and education on water safety since 1979. Following a tragedy in 1997, water safety became a focal point of Twiggy’s performances, complete with a custom-made life jacket. The legacy of Twiggy continues to evolve under the care of Lou Ann’s son, Chuck Best Jr., and his fiancée, Toni, who have taken the helm to ensure Twiggy’s message of water safety reaches a global audience through engaging and interactive performances. Twiggy also serves as the face of The National Safe Boating Council’s “Wear It” Campaign.

Additional event highlights include a variety of themed attractions, like the Longshoreman comedic street performances, a pirate magician, and a mermaid on stilts, alongside interactive and engaging activities for children and adults alike. These range from the opportunity for kids to fish at the Let’s Go Fishing Trout Pond, to the thrill of the Virtual Saltwater Fishing Simulator, and the exploration of the latest fishing gear at The Fishing Zone. Participants also have the chance to win a 2024 SX190 Yamaha powerboat by entering the “Crack the Code Contest”, sponsored by VForce Marine Orlando.

Orlando Boat Show Essentials:

• Host: Marine Industry Association of Central Florida
• Event: Orlando Boat Show
• Dates: April 5 to April 7, 2024
• Location: Orange County Convention Center, North Hall B, 9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
• Admission: $10 (Free for children under 12)

The National Marine Manufacturers Association’s 2023 report showcases a significant growth in the recreational boating industry, with a 36% increase in annual economic activity over five years, reaching $230 billion in 2023, and a 14% rise in related job opportunities.

Florida leads in economic activity and job creation within this sector, particularly notable in Central Florida, underscoring the region’s pivotal role in the marine industry on a national scale. The Marine Industry Association of Central Florida, established in 1989, stands at the forefront of promoting sustainable industry growth, benefiting members, consumers, communities, and the environment alike, while also organizing the Orlando Boat Show and the Daytona Beach Boat Show.

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