Reflections on Miami
It could be argued that the Miami International Boat Show (MIBS) is a bellweather for the marine industry, an indicator of what’s to come for boaters, dealers, boat builders and all types of boating accessory manufacturers. So what does the 2010 show, which wrapped two weeks ago, have to say about what’s to come as this year unfolds? The results are most definitely inconclusive. This past 69th annual MIBS and Strictly Sail Miami show were held in two rather than three venues - at the Miami Beach Convention Center and Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center. Bayside Marina, which normally housed the sail part of the show, was not welcoming boat show traffic except apparently for the very large sailboats that couldn’t make it under the bridge to the proper venue at the Marriott. This consolidation may have made it easier for folks fighting traffic on shuttle busses but it certainly left the sail portion of the show looking a bit small and forgotten. I was stunned to find ample parking across from the Marriott when I arrived an hour after the show opening on Saturday which is traditionally the busiest public day. In fact, overall, exhibition space was down 20% from 2.5 million square feet in 2009 to 2 million in 2010. The number of boats (actually more accurately watercraft) on display went from 3,000 in 2009 to 2,500 in 2010. About 175 fewer exhibitors braved expensive hotel rooms and exorbitant parking fees to showcase their wares. And, in the aftermath, the total attendee numbers were off about 5% from 96,736 in 2009 to 91,415 in 2010. Is that bad? Well, 2009 was down 26% from two years prior so at least it’s getting worse at slower rate. The weather didn’t help the show this year either. Most of the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic was socked in by snowstorms and Miami was seriously the coldest I’ve experienced it in over a decade. Locals may have thought better of standing on a freezing dock and those traveling from elsewhere might not have made it at all due to airport and rail congestion. But – and there’s always a but – if we focus on other statistics, the marine industry may be showing signs of life. I noticed a number of new boat introductions both on the power and sail side. Boston Whaler launched and won an NMMA award with their 370 Outrage with the Rinker 310 Express coming in a close second. Beneteau unveiled their Oceanis 50 and Fountaine Pajot featured a 50 footer as well. Three other catamarans in the 38-40 foot range were actually introduced last fall in Annapolis but it does show that new designs have been in the works and are being launched. Miami NMMA 2010 Innovation Award Judges And what about the aftermarket accessories and other marine products? Well, I chaired the NMMA Innovation awards and we had 50 products entered, a 20% increase over 2009. Ten of these products or watercraft were deemed innovative enough to receive awards. So product development is alive and well and many companies including electronics developers like Standard Horizon, Cobra Marine, Simrad and the amazing FLIR thermal imaging night vision people are forging ahead like there was no recession. There’s no quick way back and chances are very good that when the marine industry does find itself in full recovery mode, it still won’t look like it did in 2006. So what? Better boats and better products are being introduced, people won’t stop boating, customer service has to be improving when there are fewer buyers and what eventually shakes out will most definitely be a stronger marine industry. I’ll hold my breath and hope to see lots of familiar faces when we come out on the other side.
It could be argued that the Miami International Boat Show (MIBS) is a bellweather for the marine industry, an indicator of what’s to come for boaters, dealers, boat builders and all types of boating accessory manufacturers. So what does the 2010 show, which wrapped two weeks ago, have to say about what’s to come as this year unfolds?
The results are most definitely inconclusive. This past 69th annual MIBS and Strictly Sail Miami show were held in two rather than three venues - at the Miami Beach Convention Center and Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center. Bayside Marina, which normally housed the sail part of the show, was not welcoming boat show traffic except apparently for the very large sailboats that couldn’t make it under the bridge to the proper venue at the Marriott. This consolidation may have made it easier for folks fighting traffic on shuttle busses but it certainly left the sail portion of the show looking a bit small and forgotten. I was stunned to find ample parking across from the Marriott when I arrived an hour after the show opening on Saturday which is traditionally the busiest public day.
In fact, overall, exhibition space was down 20% from 2.5 million square feet in 2009 to 2 million in 2010. The number of boats (actually more accurately watercraft) on display went from 3,000 in 2009 to 2,500 in 2010. About 175 fewer exhibitors braved expensive hotel rooms and exorbitant parking fees to showcase their wares. And, in the aftermath, the total attendee numbers were off about 5% from 96,736 in 2009 to 91,415 in 2010. Is that bad? Well, 2009 was down 26% from two years prior so at least it’s getting worse at slower rate.
The weather didn’t help the show this year either. Most of the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic was socked in by snowstorms and Miami was seriously the coldest I’ve experienced it in over a decade. Locals may have thought better of standing on a freezing dock and those traveling from elsewhere might not have made it at all due to airport and rail congestion.
But – and there’s always a but – if we focus on other statistics, the marine industry may be showing signs of life. I noticed a number of new boat introductions both on the power and sail side. Boston Whaler launched and won an NMMA award with their 370 Outrage with the Rinker 310 Express coming in a close second. Beneteau unveiled their Oceanis 50 and Fountaine Pajot featured a 50 footer as well. Three other catamarans in the 38-40 foot range were actually introduced last fall in Annapolis but it does show that new designs have been in the works and are being launched.
Miami NMMA 2010 Innovation Award Judges
And what about the aftermarket accessories and other marine products? Well, I chaired the NMMA Innovation awards and we had 50 products entered, a 20% increase over 2009. Ten of these products or watercraft were deemed innovative enough to receive awards. So product development is alive and well and many companies including electronics developers like Standard Horizon, Cobra Marine, Simrad and the amazing FLIR thermal imaging night vision people are forging ahead like there was no recession.
There’s no quick way back and chances are very good that when the marine industry does find itself in full recovery mode, it still won’t look like it did in 2006. So what? Better boats and better products are being introduced, people won’t stop boating, customer service has to be improving when there are fewer buyers and what eventually shakes out will most definitely be a stronger marine industry. I’ll hold my breath and hope to see lots of familiar faces when we come out on the other side.
