SAIL EXPO doubles its advanced show ticket sales
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Gulf Coast’s SAIL EXPO St. Petersburg, held November 6-9 at the Vinoy Basin in Florida, had its biggest advanced show ticket sales ever, more than doubling the figures from last year, Sail America, the show’s producer, reported yesterday.
In addition, exhibitors experienced an increase in visits from qualified customers, according to the show’s producer.
The show featured sailboats ranging from day sailors to cruisers along with sailing products represented by more than 150 exhibitors in two tents and across the marina basin.
Show attendees participated in seminars held throughout the event. Sailing experts shared their experiences on a variety of sailing topics, including how-to sessions on safety and celestial navigation, as well as sharing accounts of sailing travels throughout the world, the association stated.
About 524 people participated in the Discover Sailing program, which gave attendees a chance to experience sailing for the first time by putting them on a half-hour sailing excursion in Tampa Bay with an expert skipper on a fleet of sailboats in a variety of sizes.
The Latitudes & Attitudes Cruiser’s Bash, sponsored by Latitudes & Attitudes magazine, HRO, Sunsail, Hunter Marine, Pocketmail and Sail America, was also a success, the show’s producer reported.
The 2004 Cruising World and Sailing World Boat of the Year Awards were handed out the opening night of the show at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. The Cruising World awards focused on production boats laid out and equipped for coastal and offshore cruising and voyaging. Sailing World concentrated on boats designed and built for racing, according to Sail America.
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