Two of the major boat-show organizers have introduced mobile applications to help attendees navigate aisles, docks and schedules using smartphones and tablets.
Show Management’s MyBoatShow is a free app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices that will officially launch at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, scheduled for Oct. 27–31. The app is built to match how modern attendees research products and plan their day. According to Show Management’s marketing director, Steve Sheer, MyBoatShow lets users search exhibitors, find specific products and create a personalized favorites list to organize visits and maximize time at the event.
MyBoatShow is intended to be a reusable platform for multiple events produced by Show Management, including the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show and the Palm Beach International Boat Show. Because the app is branded generically, attendees will be able to download the same app for different Show Management events and access each show’s exhibitor listings, maps and schedules.
The app offers several interactive features designed for ease of use at large, multi-venue boat shows. Users can browse an exhibitor directory, search lists of boats and products, and view maps of all show locations — including marinas, convention centers and other display areas. Show Management’s web manager, Paul Brown, explains that the app allows targeted searches, such as filtering boats by inboard/outboard type or by location within the show footprint. When an exhibitor is selected, MyBoatShow displays that exhibitor’s position on the map so visitors can navigate directly to the display area.
Search options are flexible: attendees can look for boats by size, class, subtype, builder or display location, and can choose to view newly introduced models, brokerage listings or the full roster. Selecting a boat in the app reveals technical specifications and identifies the participating dealer. Tapping an exhibitor’s name provides contact information such as a website address and phone number. The app also supports daily alerts, delivering timely updates and show announcements to help attendees stay informed about events and activities.
In addition to Show Management’s offering, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) will provide a free app for the Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail, scheduled for Feb. 16–21. NMMA public relations manager Sarah Ryser notes that the organization released its first show app for the 2011 Miami show and plans to optimize and expand the mobile experience for future events. For now, the focus is on improving the Miami show app, with a plan to roll out similar apps for other major NMMA events in cities with broad reach.
The NMMA app will include core components that boat-show attendees expect: a searchable list of boats and exhibitors with booth numbers, an event schedule, and venue maps. Both the Fort Lauderdale and Miami show apps aim to serve tablet and smartphone users with transportation information integrated into the maps. For example, the Fort Lauderdale app will illustrate bus and water-transportation routes across the show and its surrounding areas, helping visitors plan arrival, departure and in-city movement between show locations.
From an attendee’s perspective, these mobile apps change the way people experience boat shows. Instead of relying solely on printed guides and chance discovery, users can pre-select exhibitors and models to see, organize an efficient route through the show, and receive real-time alerts about schedule updates or special events. For exhibitors and dealers, the apps provide a direct channel to present specifications, contact details and display locations, making it easier for interested buyers to connect and follow up after the show.
As mobile use continues to grow among boat-show audiences, app features such as searchable directories, interactive maps, personalized favorites and transport routing will likely become standard expectations for major events. Show Management and the NMMA are both positioning their mobile platforms to enhance visitor planning and on-site navigation while offering a consistent digital experience across multiple shows.
This article originally appeared in the November 2011 issue.