Cleveland boat show embracing waterfront lifestyle
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The 50-year-old former Cleveland Mid-America Boat Show has been transformed into the Cleveland Boat and Waterfront Lifestyle Expo, making it the first boat show in the country to feature full-scale waterfront living displays alongside its power and sail boats, according to a recent statement from organizers.
Held every January, this regional event will include for the first time a full-size Cape Cod home complete with nautical interior, dock accessorized with PWC and boat, and a GMC Yukon parked in the driveway. Also featured will be a full-size floating condo with dock, houseboats, and various other lifestyle exhibits and seminars.
“It’s not just a name change,” said Ken Alvey, show manager. “It’s a transition to reflect what is truly happening in the marketplace and to showcase the choices available to those living a boating and waterfront lifestyle. Not to mention, it’s exciting for us to be the first show in the country to do this!”
The 85-foot ceilings of the Cleveland International Exposition (I-X) Center and its more than a million square feet of space make it large enough to accommodate full-scale homes. The show will also feature over 1,100 power and sail boats and hundreds of marine accessory displays.
“Today it’s all about living, weekending, vacationing, and having access to the lakes and waterfront. We think of boating and sailing, of course, but there are related things that make up that lifestyle. We want to tap into that and attract a broader audience,” said Alvey.
In addition, the show features an expanded family and kid’s activity area, with a new Pirate’s Island center; the addition of an active water sports area; a revitalized fishing center; and new presentations and seminars on extended cruising and living aboard sailing vessels.
The show, produced by Lake Erie Marine Trades Association (LEMTA), is scheduled to run January 12-21 at the Cleveland I-X Center.
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