While New Jersey state officials continue to run fisheries hearings as if we still smack-dab in the middle of isolation and social distancing (see Editor’s Log – Virtual Nonsense) the 2022 boat and outdoor show season was a big hit for returning customers. In fact, the 2022 Progressive Insurance Atlantic City Boat Show presented by Discover Boating ended its five-day run on March 6th attracting more than 36,000 boating enthusiasts.
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the overall sentiment at this year’s Atlantic City Boat Show – from both exhibitors and consumers alike – was, “It’s great to be back,” with many businesses reporting strong sales and interest from qualified consumers.
The boat show hosted dozens of exhibitors and hundreds of new boats, and offered a variety of complimentary educational programs, including: the revamped Fred’s Shed How-To Center, presented by Progressive, featuring a host of seminars sponsored by Yamaha; a fishing seminars series sponsored by the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and The Fisherman Magazine; and several activities to engage attendees of all ages in the boating experience.
To engage the next generation of marine trade workforce, the boat show also hosted the SkillsUSA Contest on March 2, where high school students competed in a variety of written and hands-on marine skills training to earn the right to move on to the National Skills USA Contest this summer.
For more information on next year’s big event in Atlantic City visit ACBoatShow.com.