By: Ashley Giandomenio
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Elizabeth Bartek
One of the many power boats at the Newport International Boat Show
Newport Harbor was all tied up this past weekend when thousands of people arrived in Newport to visit the 34th Annual Newport International Boat Show.
This event marked the beginning of the industry’s fall boat shows allowing people a first look at the 2005 boat debuts. Encompassing over half a mile of historic Newport waterfront, the show displayed an extensive selection of sailboats, powerboats, products and services that could satisfy any type of boater. This year, 800 exhibitors were featured and more than 600 boats ranging from 16 to 100 feet long in size. Newport visitors experienced some bad weather during the weekend. However, Chris Scott, representative of Windy Oceancraft boats and fourth year exhibitor at the show said that the show was a huge success for him regardless of the rain. “The weather did not keep serious buyers from coming out and looking around,” Scott said. “There were plenty of prospects here.” Chris Aiello and Scott Hausknecht, presenters of Ferretti Group Product, explained that the number of buyers at the end of the show is not the most important aspect of the event. “We want to establish a presence here, as well as meet present customers and follow up with them so that eventually we can get them to buy another boat from us,” Hausknecht said. Already one of the five largest boat shows in the United States, the Newport International Boat Show attracts not only boaters and members of the marine industry, but anyone who harbors a passion for boating. Prospective buyers and boat owners come from all over the country to the city of Newport for the four day event. Future events for the boat presenters are upcoming shows in Norwalk, Conn., Boston, Ma., and Fort. Lauderdale, Fla. They are traveling to these cities in the hope that the shows will provide them with as much success as they experienced at the Newport International Boat Show.
