Just two years in, opinions remain mixed on the Miami International Boat Show’s return to the Miami Beach Convention Center and its traditional in-water display across Biscayne Bay at the Venetian Yacht Club and Marina. But one thing is certain: Thanks to the Florida Powerboat Club and Speedonthewater.com, presenting sponsor Doug Wright Powerboats and backers Waves and Wheels, Wozencraft Insurance Agency, Maryland Offshore Performance Marine Center and Graphix 1 Paint, the Miami Boat Show Bash is back in style.
Call it a comeback—the Miami Boat Show Bash attracted more than 300 guests to the Sagamore Hotel. Photo courtesy/copyright of the Florida Powerboat Club.
Some 300-plus high-performance powerboat-loving guests attended the Thursday night poolside event at the Sagamore Hotel on Collins Avenue. And based on the turnout and reception, the Florida Powerboat Club and Speedonthewater.com are committed to bringing it back next year.
“It was an evening that made me realize how much I missed these Miami bash parties that the club hosted for so many years here in South Beach,” said Stu Jones, the founder and president of the Pompano Beach-based event producer. “Between the relocated boat show venue at Virginia Key followed by a couple of years of the pandemic, the party lost its momentum, and I often wondered if we were ever going to bring it back.”
“When Speedonthewater.com reached out to me and suggested that we partner on a Miami party, I immediately saw the benefits of working together and securing additional sponsor support,” he continued. “That made giving it a shot kind of a no-brainer, and I’m so happy with the outcome and thankful to all the key players who supported the event.”
For good reason, the Glasstream Powerboats team brought a joyful presence to the celebration.
But no one involved was more delighted with the event than the presenting sponsor.
“Same place, same time, next year,” said Jr. Adan, one of the owners of Doug Wright Powerboats. “We were glad to see everybody out there and come together. We will absolutely support this party again next year and beyond.”
Guests at the Thursday night affair, which included a DJ and passed-food from sliders to mini-empanadas, ran the gamut from offshore racers Tyler Miller, Steve Curtis, Ricky Maldonado, Jimmy McIntyre and others to Jeff Johnston and Tony Chiaramonte of DCB Performance Boats in Southern California. Former Mercury Racing president Fred Kiekhaefer dropped in for a glass, as did current Mercury Racing marketing team members Yvonne Nicklaus and Kim Bresser. Thrilled with the public reception of the new Glasstream 36 GSX center console, company head Kruis Retherford and Glasstream dealer Bill Day and company posted up to celebrate their success.
And of course there was no shortage of well-known figures from the poker run community including Bill Pyburn and Fallon Thibodeaux, Yvonne Aleman and Greg Harris, Stephanie and Jesse Neumann, Thomas Anselmi and Joe Nasso, and many, many others.
“We all agreed that the Miami Boat Show Bash will be comfortably back on the agenda for many years to come,” Jones said. “Go-fast powerboaters and folks in the marine industry in general are very social, and this lifestyle-sport thrives on the camaraderie of those who share the same passion.”
Jones paused to chuckle, then continued. “I definitely felt a little hungover on Friday at the boat show,” he said. “But remembering the fun so many of us had at the party helped take the edge off the discomfort.”
Added Justin Wagner of event-backer Waves and Wheels as well as Bluave Marine Audio, “It was a great experience. Count me in for next year.”
Doug Wright Powerboats was the title sponsor for the 2023 Miami Boat Show Bash.
Related stories
Countdown To Miami: Inside The 2023 Miami International Boat Show
Florida Powerboat Club Teaming Up With Speed On The Water For Invitational Miami Boat Show Bash
Florida Powerboat Club Boat Returning To Post Card Inn With Small ‘Show’ Of Its Own
Florida Powerboat Club Winter Poker Run On Deck
Florida Powerboat Club Nails Down 2023 Schedule
Miami Boat Show Poker Run And Exhibit 2022—By The Numbers And More
Miami Boat Show Poker Run At 75 Entries—Including First-Time DCB M44 Catamaran
Gallery Of The Week: Aerial Scenes From The FPC Miami Boat Show Poker Run
Tiki Lee’s Midnight Express Crew Wins Miami Boat Show Poker Run And Sexiest Crew Award
Photo Essay: Gilbert’s Never Looked Better
Photo Essay: Welcome To The Show
and then