The 70th annual Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Miami, one of the world’s largest boating events, returns February 17-21, 2011, showcasing thousands of the newest powerboats, sailboats, engines, electronics and marine accessories from more than 2,000 leading manufacturers from around the world. And with new attractions including the Dive & Travel Harbor featuring the ‘Be a Diver’ scuba pool, and the new Discover Boating Resource Center, a boating education experience offering free boat rides, on-the-water training courses, and daily seminars, the 2011 show is the ultimate destination to discover boating.

“There is no other boating event in the world that provides boaters with the opportunity to shop the best and biggest selection of boats and accessories. With thousands of products to choose from in one of the best boating destinations and dozens of activities the whole family can enjoy, the Miami International Boat Show is THE place to find out why life is better with a boat,” noted Cathy Rick-Joule, show manager. “And with several new attractions, the 2011 show gives boating enthusiasts of all skill levels the hands-on education and entertainment needed to enjoy all of the benefits of the boating lifestyle and provides a new haven for dive and travel enthusiasts to gather and enhance their hobbies.”

From personal watercraft and performance boats to sport fishers and mega-yachts, visitors will get the rare opportunity to board and compare boat brands side-by-side at competitive bargains and find exclusive show specials on the newest marine accessories and electronics. In addition to the vast selection of boats and marine accessories for sale and hundreds of products making their world debuts, there is a wide array of attractions boaters of all ages can enjoy throughout the five-day event.

Features of the 2011 Miami International Boat Show include:

• New! Launch your boating life at the Discover Boating Resource Center – This interactive educational series takes a hands-on approach to training that will include free, daily boating seminars covering a range of topics followed by on-the water clinics to apply skills learned in the classroom. Courses include boating fundamentals, close quarter handling and navigation.
• New! Dive & Travel Harbor – A true 'show within a show' for diving and travel enthusiasts, this new area includes dozens of booths showcasing everything from scuba products and gear to travel, resorts and boating destinations, plus a chance to learn how to scuba dive*.
• *New! ‘Be a Diver’ Pool – Learn to Scuba! Anyone age 10 and older can discover the fun and exciting sport of scuba diving in the comfort of a tropically warm pool, test some of the latest scuba equipment and have a photo taken underwater as a keepsake.
• New! Coastal/Outdoor Living Pavilion – Visitors to the 2011 show can now learn how to make the most of their outdoor living space. Shop a wide selection of outdoor furniture and outdoor kitchen products and get advice from the decorating experts.
• New! Meet Russell Newberry, Star Deckboss from the hit TV show Deadliest Catch! Catch a photo op, an autograph and the inside scoop on life aboard three of the most popular crab boats in America as you meet and greet this “Dangerous Deckhand” from Discovery Channel’s hit series. Meet Russell Thursday and Friday (2/17-2/18) from 11:00a.m.-2:00p.m. and 3:00p.m.-6:00p.m.; and Saturday through Monday (2/19-2/21) from 11:00a.m.-2:00p.m. and 3:00p.m.-5:00p.m.
• New! Tours & photo ops aboard the all-new Time Bandit Offshore race boat! This 30-ft Phantom racer is named for the famous Deadliest Catch fishing vessel Time Bandit. The Time Bandit offshore race team is made up of team owner and driver Bob Mazikowski, an 11-year veteran with more than 40 wins, including 3 national championships and 2 world championships, and rookie throttle man Travis Lofland of another Deadliest Catch fishing vessel, Wizard.
• Affordability Pavilion – Boating is more budget-friendly than people may think! New boaters can visit the Affordability Pavilion to find a variety of boats that can be financed for $250 or less per month.
• Big Game Room – The Big Game Room is celebrating its 8th year as the one-stop marketplace for every angler. With new exhibits, the latest fishing products and destinations, activities and daily seminars from the pros, the Big Game Room is a must. Have a drink at the Marlin Bar while waiting for the next educational seminar to begin, or take a walk over to the interactive Bait Rigging Station, where visitors can improve their rigging techniques.
• Customs and Border Protection Local Boater Option – Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will be at the show to enroll eligible participants in the CBP Local Boater Option (LBO). The LBO is a voluntary, free program which allows a participant to report the arrival of their private vessel, make customs declarations, and be cleared for immigration purposes by telephone, without the need to report to a port of entry in person. To enroll, individuals must present documentation (passport is preferred) to verify identity, citizenship or lawful permanent immigration status. The program is only available to private vessels arriving into ports of South Florida, Tampa, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Officers will be available all days of the show from 10:00a.m.-6:00p.m. in booth #1747 in C Lobby.
• Guy Harvey Artist Pavilion – Boating enthusiasts and art aficionados can meet marine legend Dr. Guy Harvey in the new Guy Harvey Artist Pavilion and shop the largest collection of Guy Harvey artwork, apparel and merchandise from more than 20 licensed Guy Harvey suppliers. Guy Harvey will be available during the show to meet and greet fans looking for his distinct signature on: Thursday (2/17) from noon–5:00p.m.; Friday and Saturday (2/18–2/19) from 10:00a.m.–5:00p.m.; and Sunday (2/20) from 10:00a.m.–4:00p.m.
• Miami Herald Discover Boating Photo Contest – How did you Discover Boating? Sponsored by the Miami Herald, visitors to the show are encouraged to submit their best photos of how they discovered boating for a chance to win an Adirondack Pack Boat and a $500 show shopping spree. Ten honorable mentions win $50 show shopping sprees. Entries MUST be received at the Pembroke Pines show office or at the Discover Boating Center onsite by 4:00p.m. Saturday, February 19. Visit MiamiBoatShow.com for more details.
• Miss GEICO – Miss GEICO is back! The world’s fastest offshore racing boat, powered with the same turbine engines that flew missions in the first Gulf War and can reach speeds of more than 185 miles per hour, will dazzle any boating enthusiast with a need for speed. Check out a video of Miss GEICO in action!
• Pre-Show Shopping – The Miami International Boat Show’s newest online offering allows attendees to pre-shop the 2011 show for the greatest deals on the newest boats by visiting MiamiBoatShow.com. Show goers can plan ahead and search boats by brand, model and more, in addition to scheduling dealer appointments onsite or at the dealership.

Show details:

When:
Thursday, February 17, through Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, Feb. 17 (Premier Thursday): 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 18-Sunday, Feb.20: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Monday, Feb.21: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center and Miamarina at Bayside open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily

Where:
Miami Beach Convention Center
1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach

Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center – Miami International Boat Show’s in-water display 1635 North Bayshore Drive, Miami

Miamarina at Bayside – Strictly Sail Miami returns to Bayside for 2011!
400 Biscayne Blvd., Miami

Admission:
Premier Day (Feb. 11): $30
Adults: $16
Five-day adult pass: $75
Two-day adult pass (valid Feb. 18-21): $30
Youth 15 and under get in FREE

Advance tickets can be purchased at MiamiBoatShow.com or StrictlySail.com beginning December 17, 2010.

Parking:
Courtesy shuttle buses will run between all locations including the park and ride at the American Airlines Arena from one hour prior to show opening through one hour after show close daily. Daily paring at the American Airlines Arena is $10.

New for 2011! Courtesy water taxi service is available between the park and ride at the
American Airlines Arena, Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center, and Strictly Sail Miami at
Miamarina at Bayside from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.