After turbulent economic times, boat show organizers and exhibitors are cautiously optimistic that there will be calmer waters at this year's Palm Beach International Boat Show. The four-day show kicks off Thursday and is celebrating its 25th year.


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The four-day show, which kicks off Thursday and is celebrating its 25th year, is no stranger to tough times. But industry insiders say the strong boating culture in South Florida is powering through the recession. "Last year, we were in the lowest of the recession and all these boat dealers were closing their doors," said Chuck Cashman, regional president for MarineMax on the east coast of Florida. "This year, all the arrows are pointing up. We just don't have the altitude yet that we want, but everything's headed up." Cashman estimates that almost a quarter of the nation's boat dealers have gone out of business in the last couple years, and that another quarter "are in peril." But he's optimistic about the boat show. MarineMax is increasing the number and size of boats it's bringing to the show by about 25 percent. "Yeah, the economy stinks. Yeah, we have members struggling and going out of business," said Alison Pruitt, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, which owns the boat show. "Still, there's a lot of momentum in this industry. ... We never thought about not having a boat show." Shows in New Jersey, Arizona, New Orleans and elsewhere have been canceled this year, citing trouble with the economy.

Source: Palm Beach International Boat Show insiders say industry is rebounding