Boat show cancelled/sign of the times

[Dancin Dave]

Saw this on the other website.

Boat Show Postponed Due To "Economic Conditions"...

Quote:
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- According to Show Management's web site, it produces some of the world's largest in-water boat shows right here in Florida. It had its sights set on St. Augustine for a full-scale boat show in May, but not anymore. The event has been "postponed," according to Show Management.

The company says it's due to "current economic conditions," but it did not elaborate. City of St. Augustine Spokesman Paul Williamson told First Coast News he believes the company was not able to get enough exhibitors.

"I don't think it had anything to do with their anticipation of people not coming to the show, but it was they didn't have enough vendors to make the show viable," Williamson said.

In the Matanzas Bay, right in downtown St. Augustine, Show Management planned to set up floating docks to show off the boats and marine products, Williamson explained.

That temporary infrastructure can be pricey-- especially in economic rough waters. "The city was ready to partner with them to make it a success," Williamson said. "It's just the market right now, it's just not the right time."

On Show Management's web site a note reads the company is still interested in St. Augustine as a location for a boat show. The company mentioned nothing about a date to reschedule.

Source: First Coast News

 

[wreckless123]

Saw this on the other website.

Boat Show Postponed Due To "Economic Conditions"...

Quote:
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- According to Show Management's web site, it produces some of the world's largest in-water boat shows right here in Florida. It had its sights set on St. Augustine for a full-scale boat show in May, but not anymore. The event has been "postponed," according to Show Management.

The company says it's due to "current economic conditions," but it did not elaborate. City of St. Augustine Spokesman Paul Williamson told First Coast News he believes the company was not able to get enough exhibitors.

"I don't think it had anything to do with their anticipation of people not coming to the show, but it was they didn't have enough vendors to make the show viable," Williamson said.

In the Matanzas Bay, right in downtown St. Augustine, Show Management planned to set up floating docks to show off the boats and marine products, Williamson explained.

That temporary infrastructure can be pricey-- especially in economic rough waters. "The city was ready to partner with them to make it a success," Williamson said. "It's just the market right now, it's just not the right time."

On Show Management's web site a note reads the company is still interested in St. Augustine as a location for a boat show. The company mentioned nothing about a date to reschedule.

Source: First Coast News

Sign of the time down there in Florida. I have seen quite a few boat related businesses going belly up down there. I know PMC just went under for example. We can feel your pain up here in Michigan.

 

[fc3]

These are selling shows. The companies and dealers pay substantial fees to exhibit. If they don't believe that they'll sell enough boats at the show, they don't go. Make sense to me.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[mrsrobinson]

While looking at a used 1997 450 a few weeks ago the broker mentioned they were not participating in one of the bigger shows this year. He said it simply costs too much to move a bigger boat to the show and in this market, with boats not selling, it did not make sense to them.

 

[comsnark]

I always thought of shows a "marketing" tools.

Personally, I would NOT buy a boat at a show, as I simply don't make $100,000 snap judgements. But then again. . I found the whole pricing scheme for new boats (i.e.; MSRP's that are meaningless, 1 or 2 dealers per state) to be a bit opaque and intimidating.

 

[VTSeaRay]

:grin: They couldn't afford the gas/diesel to drive the boats to the show... :smt021:smt013:smt089:smt101:smt119:smt014

 

[fc3]

I bought at a show. The factory was throwing in some extras, and I was going to buy anyway, so why not?

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Larry&Leisa]

I did my homework before the show, asked a lot of questions and did a lot of reading on SRO smt038) and was ready to buy. As Frank said, got to take advantage of some factory incentives, etc.