After working closely with event organizer Informa Markets on enhanced safety measures for all participants, the City of West Palm Beach has granted final approval to the event permit for the 35th annual Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS), giving it the green light to take place Thursday, March 25 through Sunday, March 28, 2021 along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach.
Organizers have implemented strict safety procedures. All participants will be required to wear face coverings and have their temperature taken at the entrance. There will be hand cleaning and sanitation stations throughout the event space. There will also be enhanced, deep cleaning before, during, and after each day’s event. There is an updated layout making the entire event open-air. Finally, there will be four entrances and exits to ease the flow of pedestrian traffic and promote social distancing.
“We are pleased to welcome the return of Palm Beach International Boat Show to the downtown West Palm Beach waterfront in March,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James. “We applaud the event organizer Informa Markets for implementing a COVID-19 mitigation plan in support of public health during these unprecedented times. The Palm Beach International Boat Show provides an economic boost to our city and region. We look forward to safely welcoming visitors and residents to our downtown for this legacy event in the City of West Palm Beach.”
The Palm Beach International Boat Show has a total statewide economic impact of $682.7 million and supports 4,394 full-time Florida jobs, with a $228 million statewide labor impact due to its economic activity. This year’s event will feature a wide variety of yachts and accessories, including hundreds of boats ranging from 8-foot inflatables to super yachts nearly 300 feet in length. In addition to the large selection of boats and exhibits, the show will offer fun and educational activities, including The AquaZone, an upfront experience with a variety of water sports and innovative products, and kid’s fishing clinics by Hook the Future.
“We are so grateful for the City’s collaboration in making the 2021 Show a reality in a safe manner, while also allowing for the return of its positive economic impact for local and state communities, as well as the marine industry at large,” said Andrew Doole, president of Informa Markets U.S. Boat Shows. “We are excited to welcome back boating enthusiasts and marine businesses to enjoy this year’s show at Palm Beach’s world-famous waterfront downtown during the most beautiful time of year.”
In January of this year, Informa Markets held a successful St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show and prior to that held the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in fall of 2020. Both events were organized in accordance with Informa’s newly adopted AllSecure health and safety standards , as well as all official government and local authority guidance and regulations. Informa coordinated the AllSecure standards in coordination with its association partners, peers, venues, suppliers, contractors, health officials, and federal and local authorities. Adopted industry-wide, the AllSecure standards raise the bar on safe, hygienic, productive, and high-quality organized event experiences.
For more information on activities, boats on display, exhibitors, transportation and parking, and more, please visit PBboatshow.com
