THE ORLANDO BOAT SHOW CRUISES INTO THE ORANGE COUNTY
CONVENTION CENTER AUGUST 18-20, 2023
$10 tickets on sale now, complimentary admission for kids aged 12 and under
ORLANDO, Fla. (July, 2023) – The Marine Industry Association of Central Florida (MIACF) presents the Orlando Boat Show for a three-day event August 18-20, 2023 at the Orange County Convention Center, North Hall B. The highly anticipated show features 20 of Central Florida's top boat dealers representing more than 80 manufacturers with approximately 400 boats on display.
The Orlando Boat Show features a wide variety of boats including bowriders, center consoles, deck boats, flats boats, freshwater fishing boats, jet boats, pontoons, and surf boats to fit any lifestyle and budget.
Extra incentives are available only during the show from dealers and manufacturers such as extended warranties, service packages, waived dockage, enhanced electronics, and accessory packages.
Regal & Nautique of Orlando to Debut Super Air Nautique GS24
“The Orlando Boat Show is designed for new and avid boaters to explore the latest in boating trends and technology, featuring hundreds of new 2023 models by the world’s leading boat manufacturers,” said Jeff Husby, president of Regal & Nautique of Orlando and president of MIACF. “With interactive displays and a new kids’ fishing clinic, the whole family will enjoy the best of boating at one show.”
Husby continued that the boating lifestyle promotes physiological and psychological changes spanning health and wellness, awe and wonder, creativity and play, happiness, and relaxation.
Tickets on Sale Now
Ticket prices are $10 per person and are available for purchase online at https://orlandoboatshow.com/tickets or at the gate. Kids under the age of 12 are free!
Orange County Convention Center parking is $20 with cashless pay only.
Events
All events are included in show admission.
NEW: Hook The Future kid’s fishing clinic
Captain Don Dingman, as seen on the Sportsman Channel's Hook The Future TV show, presents kid’s fishing clinics and interactive discussions of basic fishing techniques, tackle, safety, and conservation. Kids aged 5-15 receive a free rod and reel combo following each clinic while supplies last.
Twiggy, the waterskiing squirrel
In 1978, a baby squirrel was rescued after being blown from her nest during a hurricane. Lou Ann and Chuck Best chose to take her in and make her a part of their family. Twiggy the world-famous water-skiing squirrel has been entertaining adults and children alike with her water ski show since 1979. Due to her husband’s passing in 1997, Lou Ann decided to make water safety an important part of Twiggy's act. She created a squirrel-sized life jacket for Twiggy to wear in her performances. Thereafter, all of Twiggy's shows are focused on teaching her fans about water safety.
Today, Twiggy starts a new chapter in her legacy. Lou Ann’s son, Chuck Best Jr. has decided to take on the family business and continue Twiggy’s story. Chuck and his fiancé, Toni, have reimagined his parents’ show and together they have embarked on an all-new, revamped, interactive and exciting show for Twiggy. Twiggy is now the spokes animal for The National Safe Boating Council's "Wear It" Campaign promoting water safety all over the world.
Additional Activation Areas
- Kids aged 12 and under can catch a live fish at the Let’s Go Fishing Trout Pond and receive a custom caricature driving a boat by Cartoon You Caricatures.
- Try the Virtual Saltwater Fishing Simulator to experience the excitement of competition to catch a bull dolphin.
- The Fishing Zone is devoted to all types of fishing gear including freshwater and saltwater rod and reels, freshwater, and saltwater lures, clothing for a great day on the water, and all types of fishing gear and accessories.
New Model Debuts
Regal & Nautique of Orlando to Debut Super Air Nautique GS24 (photo)
The all-new Super Air Nautique GS24 recently made its global debut featuring a multitude of winning attributes and high-level multi-sport performance, rounding out the new GS-Series with a 24-foot offering that takes versatility to a whole new level. After undergoing a groundbreaking redesign, the GS24 delivers unparalleled performance for wakesurfing, wakeboarding, and waterskiing in a 24-foot boat. That multi-sport performance, paired with Nautique's renowned quality and dependability, creates an extraordinary boat model fit for the family that likes to do it all.
Action Water Sports to Feature New Models from MasterCraft and Barletta
MasterCrafts’ SurfStar Surf System delivers award-winning wakes and waves at the touch of a button. Surfers can adjust wave height, shape, and push to their liking. The NXT21 can hold 14 passengers, as well as up to 10 boards. This boat also includes the flip-down swim step, pop-up pylon, and clamping board racks.
Barletta’s Meridian layout plan is available in the Lusso Series. The Meridian-Lounge layout won the NMMA Innovation award in 2023. This style is a combination of Ultra-Lounge and Quad-Lounge layouts. The Barletta Aria Series is 25% off MSRP at the Orlando Boat Show.
Orlando Boat Show Fast Facts
WHO:
Marine Industry Association of Central Florida
WHAT:
Orlando Boat Show
WHEN:
Friday, August 18 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 19 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 20 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE:
Orange County Convention Center, North Hall B
9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
TICKETS:
$10 per person online or at the gate. Kids under the age of 12 are free!
https://orlandoboatshow.com/tickets
SPECIAL EVENTS:
https://orlandoboatshow.com/events
WEBSITE:
https://orlandoboatshow.com
STAY SOCIAL:
@orlandoboatshow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with #lifeisbetterwithaboat
National Marine Manufacturers Association
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), 2023 study reveals recreational boating saw a 36% increase in annual economic activity from 2018’s $170 billion to $230 billion in 2023 and a 14% jump in recreational marine industry-related jobs from 691,000 in 2018 to 812,000 in 2023.
The leap comes on the heels of record growth in recreational boating between 2020 and 2022 as Americans increasingly prioritized outdoor recreation, mental health, and time with family and friends throughout the pandemic. The industry’s momentum is expected to hold steady in 2023 with sales of new and pre-owned boats on par with 2022 as Americans remain focused on outdoor experiences.
States leading the nation with the highest economic activity and job growth from recreational boating include Florida (#1): $31.3B, up 53%, and 109,000 jobs, up 19% from 2018.
Created in 1989, the Marine Industry Association of Central Florida (MIACF) is a not-for-profit trade organization focused on the sound growth of the marine industry for the benefit of its members and their customers, local communities, and the environment. MIACF is comprised of more than 30 members in Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties and is the owner and producer of the Orlando Boat Show and the Daytona Beach Boat Show.
