Weekly 5: FLIBS plans improvements for 2016
The BI Weekly 5 is a collection of tips, news and data affecting the boating industry this week. Be sure to look for the BI Weekly 5 every week on BoatingIndustry.com.
1. FLIBS plans improvements for 2016
Attendees and exhibitors at this fall’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show should see some improvements in display space, food and more, show organizers told the Sun Sentinel.
Among the improvements will be a larger and improved selection of food, a new air-conditioned Sailfish Pavilion replacing the previous outdoor space in the convention center parking lot and redesigned exhibit space.
2. MBIA honors Rep. Candice Miller for industry service
Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., the retiring chair of the Congressional Boating Caucus, was recognized last week by the Michigan Boating Industries Association with the Raymond L. Underwood Lifetime Achievement Award, Macomb Daily reported.
“Congresswoman Miller has been crucial in developing and pushing legislation protecting the boating industry in Michigan and across the country,” said Nicki Polan, MBIA executive director. “She’s a great advocate for water quality, boating and MBIA. She is more than deserving of this esteemed honor.”
3. Officials: Zika won’t hurt South Florida tourism in long run
Local officials in Southern Florida think the long-term effects of the Zika virus on tourism will be minimal, the Associated Press reported.
With the virus reported in two areas around Miami, including Miami Beach near the convention center, there have been concerns about the impact on shows, tourism and more.
State and local officials are making efforts to eradicate the mosquitoes, but acknowledged that the South Beach area will present additional challenges because buildings and strong winds make it impractical to spray the neighborhood from the air.
4. Brands see less social engagement on Facebook, Instagram
Companies and brands are seeing less engagement on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, but a slight uptick on Twitter, in 2016, according to a new study.
The report was based on more than 51 million posts by 40,000 companies across the four networks.
The average engagement ratio dropped 26 percent on Instagram and 8 percent on both Facebook and LinkedIn. It was up 1 percent on Twitter.
5. Necessities are getting more expensive, while luxuries are getting cheaper
The stuff we need is costing us more, while the toys we want are getting increasingly less expensive, as the Wonkblog shared recently.
Since 1996, the prices of food and housing have increased by close to 60 percent, faster than the pace of inflation. Costs of health care and child care have more than doubled. The prices of textbooks and higher education nearly tripled. … For many Americans, in other words, that shiny new flat-screen TV is now more within reach financially than it’s ever been. But it has become harder to afford the house to put it in, food to eat in front of it, or the medical care to ensure you’ll outlive its extended warranty.
