70 percent of 2011 NMMA shows increase attendance

CHICAGO — The National Marine Manufacturers Association announced today that 70 percent of its winter boat and sportshows saw an increase in attendance, and the others remained flat or were down single digits.

“Increases in attendance and reports of strong sales at shows reinforce notions of pent-up demand and the beginning of an industry recovery in 2011 and into 2012,” Ben Wold, executive vice president of NMMA Boat & Sportshows, said in a statement. “In addition to positive economic conditions and decent weather, NMMA’s aggressive marketing efforts, the NMMA Advantage, and new show attractions were just a few of the ways we worked to drive attendance. Now, we’ll analyze our efforts against results to develop even more ways to improve our shows and ensure we continue producing valuable shows for exhibitors and attendees.”

NMMA has produced fourteen shows to date in 2011, with ten shows increasing in attendance: The Nashville Boat & Sportshow (5%); Atlanta Boat Show (1%); Kansas City Boat & Sportshow (7%); Minneapolis Boat Show (26%); Louisville Boat, RV & Sportshow (9%); Strictly Sail Chicago (2%); Atlantic City Boat Show (114%); St. Louis Boat & Sportshow (9%); Miami International Boat Show (12%); and the New England Boat Show (5%).

The remaining four shows were flat or saw single digit declines: The Baltimore Boat Show broke even with 2010 attendance; Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show (-7%); New York Boat Show (-6%); and Strictly Sail Miami (-8%, vs. 2009).

Closing out the 2011 NMMA winter boat and sportshow season is the Northwest Sportshow, taking place March 30-April 3.

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