Boat show organizers tout attendance bump

A slumping economy did not sway some consumers from turning out to look at some really large boats in Baltimore.

Organizers of the Baltimore Boat Show, which ran at the Baltimore Convention Center Wednesday through Sunday, said attendance grew 6 percent this year compared to last year. The growth represents an uptick from last year, when attendance dropped 16 percent.

The rise is due partly to the addition of sailboats for the first time in the show's 54-year history. Total attendance for the five-day show was 21,544.

Nationally, overall boat sales are down. Registrations for new powerboats fell 3 percent in the third quarter of 2007 and 7 percent year-to-date through September, according to a recent report compiled by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The Chicago group organizes the Baltimore Boat Show.

Convention organizers shortened the show from nine to five days this year while expanding its total exhibit space to encompass the entire 300,000-square-foot Baltimore Convention Center.

Among the largest boats sold at the Baltimore Boat Show was a 46-foot Island Packet 465, a yacht that sold for $722,000.

Show organizers are planning for the 2009 show, including adding more space for sailboats and more vendors.

credited by: bizjournals.com