2020 Palm Beach International Boat Show postponed over coronavirus fears
One of the crowns in the US boat show circuit has bumped its date in response to the growing pandemicThe prestigious Palm Beach International Boat Show is the latest victim to fall to the growing global coronavirus scare, announcing that the event will not go ahead later this month.
Instead, the event is postponed indefinitely, with no future date locked in.
“Effectively immediately, the Palm Beach International Boat Show and Superyacht Show Palm Beach have been postponed until further notice,” organisers announced in a statement released overnight.
“Adhering to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and City of West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James’ recommendation to suspend all mass gatherings over contagion concerns, we fully support the decision as the health and safety of our visitors, community, exhibitors, staff and vendors is our top priority.
“We are currently working with the City of West Palm Beach to identify a new date. We wish to thank our city officials and the boating community for their ongoing support.”
The Palm Beach Superyacht Show was to have made its debut at this year’s event.
The show’s postponement will come as a blow to Gold Coast luxury motor yacht maker Riviera, which had planned three Palm Beach premieres; the all-new 505 SUV and the 5400 and 4800 Platinum Edition Sport Yachts in luxurious Platinum Edition livery, as well as the 545 SUV. It also is expected to have its high-end Belize 66 Daybridge at the Palm Beach show for the first time.
Boat shows are used to swell a manufacturers' order books as potential buyers get a chance to walk through the vessels before they buy them.
Boatsales.com.au has contacted organisers behind the 2020 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show to ask if the growing list of international show cancellations is likely to affect its May event.
The Palm Beach show’s postponement comes as the Palma International Boat Show in Italy bumped its show date from late April to early June in response to the pandemic.
Other boat shows, including Singapore, Dubai and Shanghai, have likewise been postponed.
The US National Marine Manufacturers Association has also announced that it has cancelled a saltwater fishing show in New Jersey this weekend, but a separate event in Minnesota in April will still go ahead as planned.
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