MORE FOR SALE
In addition to checking out the show’s largest field of more
than 200 boat dealers and exhibitors, visitors to the 2023
event will find additional boat brokers.
“We knew this was going to happen two years post-COVID,”
74
Miller says, “because when COVID happened, we had
no inventory. You couldn’t do anything but go boating. So,
everyone was buying a boat.
“Now, people can go and travel again,” Miller adds. “They
can go here; they can go there. They say, ‘OK, we had our fun
for two years with the boat, so we’ll go do something else.’
So, some of those boats purchased because of COVID, are
now coming back on the market as brokerage boats.”
Miller came on board with the MIATC in 2009 from the
state association. The MIATC is a Florida not-for-profit corporation
representing boating interests in Martin, St. Lucie and
Indian River counties. Members include marine-related businesses,
commercial and residential marinas, boatyards, boat
dealers and a variety of marine service-related businesses.
And, in Florida, boating is big business.
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s
2018 economic impact study, recreational boating
in Florida had a $23.3 billion annual economic impact with
935,742 boats registered. In Florida’s 18th Congressional
District, which includes Martin and St. Lucie counties and
Jupiter, the impact in 2018 was $1.3 billion with 46,107 boats
registered and 7,055 jobs supported.
Stuart Boat Show plays an important role in enabling the
association to fulfill its mission and assist the marine industry
on the Treasure Coast.
“This is the one and only fundraiser that we do,” Miller
says. “So we use the money that we raise from this show to
help develop our skilled workforce with various training
programs.”
Yet another example of a special relationship fostered by
the Stuart Boat Show.
IF YOU GO …
WHAT: More than 205 local, national and international
exhibitors will be displaying hundreds of boats in-water
and on land. Additional exhibits include the latest in
personal watercraft, marine electronics, outboard and
inboard engines, safety equipment, accessories, boat lifts,
fishing gear, nautical clothing and jewelry, as well
as financing and insurance companies.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday, Jan. 13 and 14, 10 a.m. to
6 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: 54-290 NW Dixie Highway, Stuart.
ADMISSION: $17 general admission at the gate; $14 general
admission discounted advance sales online only; $14
for veterans; $8 for children 12 and younger; infants free.
PARKING: Free shuttle service available from the north:
grass lot on the corner of NW Wright Boulevard and
NW Dixie Highway; from the south: Witham Field
enter from Monterey Road.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit stuartboatshow.com
BOATING
SOUTHERN • STEAKS • SEAFOOD
Visit us in Historic Downtown Stuart
47 SW Flagler Ave.
(772) 221-9517
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www.thegafford.com
S U N G L A S S E S
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