Yamaha voices support for new Miami show location

Yamaha Marine Group president Ben Speciale praised the NMMA and the new location for this year’s Miami International Boat Show Thursday

“The new Miami International Boat Show venue on Virginia Key proved successful and offered many advantages to the boating consumer,” Speciale said in a statement. “I worked the entire event to hear from our consumers, dealers and boat builders. In my opinion, the convenience on the fixed displays and the much larger marina are just unbeatable for customers looking to buy a new boat or outboard motor. The venue also has the great feel of the marine world we all enjoy. And while there’s still work to be done on logistics, the NMMA team quickly addressed specific aspects that improved the show each day. I am convinced that 2017 will offer an even more engaging and profitable event for the marine industry at large.”

The proximity provided by the show’s new layout proved far more convenient to consumers, offering simpler access to products, exhibitors, and sea trials than ever before, the company said.

Attendance was up 4 percent at this year’s show, according to numbers released by NMMA Thursday.