More than a thousand pleasure boats will dock in Miami starting this Thursday for the Miami International Boat Show 2020, one of the most important fairs in the international nautical sector, which attracts thousands of people and generates business for more than 850 million.
By MiamiDiario Newsroom
The fair, which brings together the main brands in the industry, is located for the fifth consecutive year on Virginia Key, one of the islands in Biscayne Bay, which is linked to the continent by the bridge that leads to Cayo Vízcaíno.
A provisional marina has been built there with natural materials where they will be present 1.400 boats for lovers of yachts and catamarans.
Companies like the French Dufour Yachts, the Danish X-Yachts or the Spanish Astondoa o By Antonio Yachts, among many others, will present their latest boat models and novelties in radars, sonars and other equipment in an edition of this fair in which sustainability will be the key word.
There are many who will take advantage of the opportunity to take a ride on the different boats, such as, for example, the serenity 64, a hybrid yacht with solar panels 20 meters long and designed by Ken Downing.
However, this is not only an event for "the rich and famous" but there are products for audiences with medium budgets, from the sunreef 80, a yacht of more than 24 meters in length whose brand did not want to reveal its price to deal directly with buyers, until NauticStar 191 Hybrid, a $30.000 boat.
“There will be companies of all sizes, with companies presenting their fourteen foot boats (4 meters) to those of more than eighty (24 meters). There will be a variety of producers and vendors, so it's not just for big companies, it's a representation of the entire boating industry," said event director Larry Berryman.
The impact of two Superbowl
This "global showcase for Miami" is one of the most important international fairs and it is estimated that it will have an economic impact of 854,2 million dollars and will generate some 5.700 jobs, figures that would be equivalent to the celebration of two Super Bowls, the final of the American Football League, a year.
“The state benefits greatly from the taxes generated by the fair and there are many industries outside of the world of ships that are affected as well, whether they are hotels, restaurants or establishments of any other type,” Berryman said.
In this 79th edition, the organizers want to raise awareness about protecting the environment and address one of the major problems that facing the oceans: single-use plastics.
“From an environmental point of view, the great challenge is how reduce single-use plastics. As a whole this industry depends on water, our survival depends on it and access to clean water. It is everyone's responsibility to keep the waters clean and involve everyone to achieve it, "he added.
Some of the initiatives consist of the sale of reusable aluminum bottles, sunglasses made from fishing nets or seminars in which experts will teach visitors what they can do to protect the ecosystem inside a ship, near the marina or at their homes.
On the other hand, one of the objectives of this type of fair is engage young families "in the maritime lifestyle" and to the smallest, since the fans are getting older and this is "critical" for an industry with great job opportunities to move forward.
"Introducing our young people of the future in the industry is both a challenge and an objective that we have in mind for keep this industry moving. Also encourage students to choose the navy as a career. On average the navy pays 20% more than any other job in manufacturing or sales," Berryman explained.
For this, the organizers have planned activities so that the children go sailing and learn how a boat works and the various characteristics of these. In addition, visitors who attend the event will be able to do so like true sailors, since the organizers provide water taxis to get from downtown Miami to the nine docks of the Miami International Boat Show marina.
State-of-the-art engines, top-quality materials and state-of-the-art equipment make Miami the capital of the nautical industry for five days in which luxury and entertainment come together.
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