The Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show is cutting costs for exhibitors and creating a dedicated display for boats priced under US$150,000 in 2027. The changes follow a 2026 show at which some exhibitors reported softer demand.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), which owns the show, and producer Informa Markets set out the changes on October 23. The 86th edition runs from February 10 to 14, 2027 across Miami and Miami Beach.
Exhibitor Costs
Eligible exhibitors will be offered new incentives and cost savings through the Informa Partner Program. NMMA members get an exclusive early hotel booking window, which the organisers say is intended to address the cost and availability of rooms during show week. Neither measure comes with a figure, and the release does not say which exhibitors qualify.
The context is NMMA’s own review of the 2026 show, which described exhibitor feedback as mixed. Some manufacturers and dealers reported year-on-year sales gains and strong lead generation. Others cited measured demand, with market headwinds continuing to affect buyers. NMMA president and chief executive Frank Hugelmeyer said at the time:
“Exhibitor results reflected both momentum and ongoing market challenges.”
Boats Under US$150,000
The new Progressive Entry Point at Pride Park, beside the Miami Beach Convention Center, will show boats priced under US$150,000. The organisers say it responds to consumer feedback asking for more entry-level options. The Entry Point was first announced with the ticket launch in August; the latest release adds the price ceiling and the sponsor branding. A new Discover Boating education hub with boating experts and guided show tours will sit alongside it.
Cheaper Tickets, and the Super Bowl
The show’s final day, Sunday February 14, is also Super Bowl Sunday, with Super Bowl LXI scheduled for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. NMMA says the new Family Packs and Super Sunday discounted packages were created to draw families and soften the impact of the game.
The August ticket release priced the Family 4-pack, valid Thursday to Sunday, at US$99. Super Sunday adult general admission is US$30, against US$45 for a standard one-day adult ticket. Sunday is already the show’s shortest day, running from 10am to 5pm. Ticket sales opened earlier than in previous years.
Getting Around
A new water taxi route will connect Herald Plaza/Venetian with Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, backed by expanded peak-time shuttles and changes to existing routes.
The 2027 show keeps the layout introduced this year. It uses the Miami Beach Convention Center, Pride Park, Sailor’s Cove at IGY Yacht Haven Grande Miami, and the Miami Beach Yacht Collection on Collins Avenue. The Yacht Collection runs between 44th and 47th streets near the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc hotels.
That 2026 layout, covered in PBN’s opening-day report, was itself a consolidation. Andrew Doole, President of U.S. Boat Shows at Informa Markets, said after the show that five locations had been streamlined into three focused venues. He added that the organisers were already looking at areas of opportunity for 2027.
Industry Events and Marketing
Boating Industry magazine will hold its annual Top 100 Dealer Gala at the show for the first time, on February 11. The Industry Breakfast moves to a new format, and the NMMA Member Lounge returns to the Convention Center for the opening days.
Marketing starts earlier this cycle, with digital campaigns launching sooner, dedicated outreach to Latin America and Europe, and new partnerships. NMMA reported that international attendance rose by about 20 per cent in 2026, with more than 100 countries represented and strong Latin American turnout.
For consumers, the show adds a Kids Zone. The Windward VIP Lounge returns at the Yacht Collection, and the Florida Insider Fishing Report will broadcast live from the show floor. The organisers say further details will be announced in the coming months.
For how the 2026 edition was set up, see PBN’s January preview.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
