FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Kathleen Burns
Executive Director, CMTA
kathleen@ctmarinetrades.org
Phone: 860-767-2645
BOAT SHOW SEASON KICKED OFF THURSDAY AT THE HARTFORD BOAT SHOW RUNNING JANUARY 16-19 AT MOHEGAN SUN
Start Thinking About Boating Under The Sun at the Show Featuring Over 400 Boats, New Exhibitors, Educational Workshops, and Family Activities
ESSEX, CT – JANUARY 16, 2020 – Leading the prominent 2020 Northeast winter boat show schedule, the Hartford Boat Show (HBS20) opened at the Earth Expo Center at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, Thursday January 16 and will run through Sunday, January 19, showcasing every aspect of Boating Under the Sun on Connecticut’s lakes, rivers and the sound, just in time for boaters to start thinking about the upcoming season.
Produced by the Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA) and powered by Evinrude/BRP, the Hartford Boat Show features over 125 exhibitors covering approximately 150,000 square feet of the Earth Expo Center, with over 400 boats and water craft being featured. Over 35 dealers, representing at least 95 different brands of boats, motors and trailers are participating. Additional sponsors include Helly Hanson/Landfall, Renewal by Andersen, and KinderCare.
The Hartford Boat Show exhibitor list reflects every element of recreational boating in the state, for those enjoying Connecticut’s waterways from the sound to the lake and rivers, as well as experienced navigators to new boaters. HBS20 visitors can expect to see boats, jet skis, personal watercraft, paddle sports, kayaks, marinas, motors, slip rentals, servicing, fishing gear, educational programs and materials, insurance, trailers, electronics, sanitation, air conditioning, attire, nautical home décor, decking, dock building, winter storage, financing, shore side activities, destinations and attractions and boating food and beverage.
Boasting 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 10,000 people and engaging nearly 95,000 people who register boats in the state each year. Over 85% of the Hartford Boat Show’s exhibitors are Connecticut based companies, representing the vast scope of recreational boating in the state, and all geographic locations. According to the CMTA, which produces the Hartford Boat Show, Connecticut’s recreational boating industry has an annual impact of more than $4.1 billion, including manufacturing and supply side. Annual retail sales of new boats, engines, accessories and services account for $171 million, and support 646 businesses across the state, most classified as small business, with many being generational or family owned.
Because the Hartford Boat Show is produced by the industry trade association, every year specific aspects of recreational boating and industry initiatives are featured. HBS20 will include special sections and educational sessions focused on marine trades workforce development, boat safety, and environmental projects. Visit www.hartfordboatshow.com for program details.
To support the association’s commitment to promoting and preserving marine trades positions throughout the state, the Hartford Boat show will feature a Windows to the Future Career Center sponsored by Renewal by Andersen. The career center will feature current job openings and career opportunities with the ability to complete applications and drop off resumes.
This year the Show celebrates family boating with a special Kid’s Cove section dedicated to youth and boating activities. Children’s professionals from KinderCare will lead activities for the junior skippers including boating art activities, fishing, sand art, sea themed jewelry making and more. The Seatow Foundation will be sponsoring an exciting Passport to Safety Scavenger Hunt which will promote safe boating by learning safety fun-facts throughout the Show. In addition loaner life jackets will be available for children to wear around the Show to help them learn about the importance of wearing a life jacket on any boat.
Hartford Boat Show visitors will have the opportunity to get certified for their boating license at the Show. A boat safety and licensing session presented by Boat Safe Connecticut, and its Captain Mark Vining, will be conducted on Saturday, January 18 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Advance registration is required for the class at a discounted rate of $75 per person, which includes admission to the show, and a license certificate issued upon completion. For further information and reservations, contact the CMTA at 860-767-2645 or email admin@ctmarinetrades.com.
The Connecticut recreational boating industry is environmentally astute, and Hartford Boat Show exhibitors who are certified as part of Connecticut’s Clean Marina Program will be designated. The CMTA is the managing organization of the program which was developed in conjunction with the Connecticut’s Department of Energy & Environment. On Friday, January 17 at 5:00 pm, a free workshop will be offered to help boaters learn more about the “Survey and Impacts of Aquatic Invasive Plants on Marine Recreation in CT Rivers and Lakes.” Also with an eye to educating boaters about how they can continue to maintain clean waterways and reduce the use of plastics, water bottle refilling stations manned by MudRatz GreenFlash will also offer information about ridding boats of single-use plastic bottles and on-board recycling best practices.
Radio listeners will have the opportunity to visit with some of their favorite on-air personalities, with WUCS-FM 97.9 remote broadcasting the Rob Dibble Show on Thursday, January 16 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm; WWYZ-FM 92.5 Country appearing on Friday, January 17 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm; and WDRC-FM 102.9 (The Whale) bringing its Jock/Street Team on Saturday, January 18 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Tickets for the Hartford Boat Show may be purchased at www.hartfordboatshow.com. Pre-show online tickets are $13. During The Boat Show, general admission is $15, with children under 12 accompanied by an adult admitted free. A Senior/Military one-day pass is $10. A Two Day Pass allowing access to the show any two days is available at $20. Group sales for groups over 15 people may be arranged by contacting CMTA Show Staff at 860-767-2645. Follow the Hartford Boat Show and get the latest updates at #HartfordBoatShow @BoatShowCT @HartfordBoatShow and on Facebook.
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About The Hartford Boat Show: Now in its 51th year, the Hartford Boat Show (HBS20) features the newest boats on the market including center consoles, fishing boats, cruisers, sport and ski boats, sailboats, personal watercraft, paddle boats and boards in addition to fishing gear, marinas and boatyards, other marine services and boating accessories. Produced by the Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA) the show is open to the public January 16-19, 2020 at the Earth Expo Center at Mohegan Sun, and will feature over 125 exhibitors, 400 boats and watercraft, as well as educational seminars, boating personality appearances, and demonstration areas. www.hartfordboatshow.com
About Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA): The CMTA is a not-for-profit trade association representing boating and related marine industries throughout Connecticut, from the Long Island Sound to the state’s rivers and lakes. Founded in 1954, the CMTA has over 330 member businesses and is dedicated to the well-being of the industry by promoting the interests of recreational boating, improving industry condition, monitoring legislative and regulatory issues, and advancing boating education throughout the state. www.ctmarinetrades.org
