NMMA announces new in-water boat show in Chicago

The Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show, billed as the “Midwest’s largest boating and sales event”, to take place in June

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) says it plans to hold a new in-water boat show at the new 31st Street Harbor from June 7-12, 2012. The US trade associating is billing the Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show as the “Midwest’s largest boating and sales event.”
“With 1,000 slips and top-notch amenities, the city’s latest premier marine facility is an ideal in-water boat show venue with ample room to grow into a favorite annual tradition for boaters and a summer sales haven for the region’s dealers and manufacturers,” says Ben Wold, executive vice president for NMMA, in a statement.

The show will have about 150 power and sailboats on display, with more than 100 accessory booths. It will also have a Discover Boating Demo Dock.

The trade association said that “boating is big business” in Chicago. It said more than 5,000 boats dock annually in nine marinas across the city lakefront. The 31st Street Harbor adds an additional 1,000 slips. Recreational boating has an estimated US$1.54bn economic impact in Illinois, employing nearly 10,000.

The NMMA also produces the Progressive Insurance Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show and the Progressive Insurance Strictly Sail Chicago. NMMA will now produce 18 consumer boat and sports shows in the US.