With over 618 miles of tidal shoreline, 180 lakes and over 5,800 miles of rivers, recreational boating in Connecticut is far more than just fun on water – it’s business that is vital to the Connecticut economy, employing over 7,300 people and engaging nearly 100,000 people who register boats in the state each year.
All aspects of fun, lifestyle, enterprise, education and careers of recreational boating on the Connecticut waterways will be on display when the 49th annual Hartford Boat Show cruises into the Connecticut Convention Center February 8-11, 2018.
Produced by the Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA) and powered by Evinrude, the Show will feature over 125 exhibitors and 400 boats and watercraft. The event will cover the entire space available at the convention center on two levels, with boats, exhibits, demonstration and educational areas, and hospitality features.
Geico is a new sponsor for the Hartford Boat Show. Products being exhibited include boats of all kinds and sizes, jet skis, personal watercraft, paddle sports, kayaks, marinas, motors, slip rentals, servicing, fishing gear and tackle, educational programs and materials, insurance, trailers, electronics, sanitation, air conditioning, real estate, attire, nautical home décor, decking, dock building, winter storage, financing, shore-side activities, destinations and attractions and food and beverage.
According to Kathleen Burns, CMTA’s Executive Director, thoughtful partnerships and collaborations have been responsible for the development of new features for the 2018 show. Cooperative efforts between customers and dealers, among dealers, state and municipal organizations, and destination agencies and sponsors have resulted in two new show features. Welcome 2 Our Waters: Destination CT is a special exhibit hall section highlighting shoreside activities, destinations, attractions, and food and beverage. Sponsored by Renewal by Anderson, the new Window on the Future section will feature students from Thompson Public School District’s boat building program constructing a small wood boat, boat building activities for kids, The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), New England Science and Sailing, and Cedar Island Marine Research Lab. Students from The Sound School of New Haven and several of the state’s technical school automotive departments will also participate in events in this new area.
“The cooperative efforts that have resulted in new show features for this year’s show really illustrate the impact, breadth and opportunities of recreational boating in our state,” cites Burns. Connecticut’s recreational boating industry has an annual economic impact of more than $1.3 billion in direct, indirect and induced spending. Annual retail sales of new boats, engines, accessories and services account for $157.7 million.
Throughout the four days of the show there will be a program of Tips and Trick educational sessions, live entertainment, demonstrations of paddle boarding and remote controlled boats, the Blackhawk Fishing Charters Fighting Chair Challenge, and personality and author appearances.
“What a great time of year to get excited about thinking about getting back on the water. The Super Bowl will be behind us, and for many boaters who will be going into the water within the next eight to twelve weeks following the show, it’s a great time to start to make plans about purchases and trips,” said Kathleen Burns, Executive Director CMTA.
Tickets for The Hartford Boat Show are available at HartfordBoatShow.com. Pre-show online tickets are $10 and a multi-day pass is available at $18 which allows access to the show any two days. The Senior Skip’rs pass for February 10 is $8. Admission on-site at the Show will be $12. Children under 12 accompanied by an adult are free. Group sales for groups over 15 people may be arranged by contacting CMTA Show Staff at 860-767-2645.