Boat Shows Cancelled. Thanks Dorian

Tampa and Daytona boat shows rescheduled. Wilmington boat show cancelled!

With Hurricane Dorian beginning to meander up the east coast of the United States, boat show organizers are making new plans to cancel or reschedule their fateful events planned for this weekend. This seems like a good idea considering all the work that goes into a boat show, including transporting boats and accessories from all over the region, as well as the fear of getting stuck in a hurricane that would keep so many attendees away. We've been at many a boat show that looked completely abandoned due to the mere forecast of rain showers, so imagine what a hurricane would do to attendance.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows, was quick to postpone the Tampa Bay Boat Show a few days ago when it looked like Dorian might inflict a direct hit on Florida. The 2019 Progressive Insurance Tampa Boat Show Presented by West Marine (which, by the way, has one of the longest names of any boat show we've ever heard of), originally scheduled for this weekend, is moving from its planned date of September 6 - 8 to a new weekend next month. Their press release states that the new Tampa Bay dates are now planned for the 25th to the 27th of October, 2019. 

Another Florida boat show that looked like it might get washed out this weekend is the Daytona Boat Show, which has been rescheduled to September 27th to the 29th, 2019.   

Meanwhile, North Carolina's Wilmington Boat Show, also planned for this weekend, looks like it has been completely canceled for this year. Wilmington looks to be more in the direct path of the hurricane based on current forecasts, so this was definitely a good idea.

 The rescheduled Tampa show will remain at the Tampa Convention Center for its new October dates, and all pre-purchased tickets will be honored during the new dates. .

"While we are disappointed to postpone the event, our main concern is the safety of the boaters, manufacturers and dealers that attend our show," said Kevin Murphy, show manager. "This decision was made to ensure attendees and exhibitors have time to adequately prepare for Hurricane Dorian. We look forward to seeing everyone October 25-27 for what will be our largest Tampa Boat Show yet, featuring thousands of the latest marine products on the market."

The Wilmington's website had this message on it when we visited it yesterday:

This message is to inform you that the 2019 Wilmington Boat Show will be cancelled due to the potential impact of Hurricane Dorian. This is a difficult situation and safety is a priority. Also, due to a heavy event schedule in the Wilmington area, the show cannot be rescheduled in 2019. We are working with officials from the City, Port City Marina, the Convention Center and Battleship Park to move the show out of September beginning in 2020. Please be safe and you will all be in our thoughts and prayers. 

This weekend's Atlantic City Boat Show, and all future east coast boat shows planned for September 2019 - including Newport and Norwalk - still look to be on, but always check before you make your plans.