2013 Newport International Boat Show sees growth, strong sales

THE NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW debuted the year's newest boats and boat products, and exhibitors at the event reported strong sales, the boat show owners Newport Exhibition Group said Tuesday.
THE NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW debuted the year's newest boats and boat products, and exhibitors at the event reported strong sales, the boat show owners Newport Exhibition Group said Tuesday.

NEWPORT – The 43rd annual Newport International Boat Show, held Sept. 12-15, saw an 8 percent increase in paid attendance over last year’s event, with many exhibitors reporting strong sales.

“The 2013 Newport International Boat Show was a tremendous success,” said Tom Delotto, director of show owners Newport Exhibition Group, in a release Tuesday. “We saw a record number of new product introductions, attendance was its highest since 2007 and, based on the feedback from exhibitors, the quality of the traffic and level of sales was fantastic. We hope this is indicative of a truly great year ahead and continued strong market growth for the boating industry.”

One of the largest boat shows in the country, the Newport International Boat Shows debuted dozens of new boat and boating products this year, said Newport Exhibition Group. Attendees viewed power and sail boats ranging from 15 to 85 feet in length.

In partnership with Cruising World, Sailing World and Yachting magazines, the Newport International Boat Show recognized the year’s best new products with Newport For New Products awards.

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The Volvo Penta glass cockpit one Best New Boating Product, while the Leonardo Yachts Eagle 44 won Best New Sailboat and The Greenline GL 40 by Russo Marine won Best New Powerboat.

“The Greenline GL 40 is a ground-breaking boat and we are honored to receive the Newport For New Products Award for the Best New Powerboat in the 30-Foot and Over category,” said Larry Russo, president and CEO of Medford, Mass.-based Russo Marine. “The new diesel, electric and solar powered yacht allows boaters to cruise without emissions or engine noise. It’s the first hybrid vessel to make an appearance in New England and the response we received from show attendees was beyond expectation.”

The boat show’s charitable partner, Sailing Heals, offered on-the-water excursions at the event for showgoers suffering from terminal illnesses. On Sunday afternoon, show producers presented a check to the organization to help them continue their important mission.

“We are so thankful to the Newport International Boat Show for choosing us as their charitable partner,” said Trisha Gallagher Boisvert, co-founder and executive director of Sailing Heals. “Not only will the generous donations help us with our mission, we were also able to raise awareness for our cause through our discussions with a large number of the thousands of people who came through the gates.”

Dates for next year’s Newport International Boat Show are Sept. 11-14, 2014. For more information on the Newport International Boat Show, please visit www.newportboatshow.com.

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