Judge dismisses Miami boat show suit

A Florida judge has dismissed the village of Key Biscayne’s lawsuit against the National Marine Manufacturers Association over the Miami International Boat Show.

The village sued NMMA — which runs the Miami show — in April as part of its attempts to block the relocation of the show from the Miami Beach Convention Center to Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin.

The village accused NMMA of violating Florida’s Public Records Act, claiming it withheld key documents from its negotiations with the city of Miami over the move of the show. Circuit Court Judge Antonio Marin, though, ruled Wednesday that the association is not subject to the law as the “Village does not show that NMMA is the City’s agent.” (See the full decision here.)

NMMA officials applauded the decision.

“We are pleased that the Court agreed with the NMMA and dismissed the Village of Key Biscayne’s lawsuit,” NMMA president Thom Dammrich said in an email to Boating Industry. “The Court rejected each of the arguments advanced by the Village. The NMMA plans to continue its preparation and we look forward to celebrating the 2016 Miami International Boat Show at Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin.”

The Miami International Boat Show is moving from its traditional home at the convention center in order to make room for a multi-year renovation. Organizers of the show envision Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin as the long-term home of the show, but the move has not been without challenges.

Among other issues, the village has also sued the city of Miami, a suit that has not been dismissed. An October deal to settle that suit fell apart when Key Biscayne pulled out of the agreement shortly after it was announced.

Last month, Miami-Dade County also delayed a vote on a key permit for the show until December 15, putting pressure on the show’s deadline.

 

 

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