FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 28, 2015) – The second annual Panama International Boat Show is set to take place from May 29 to May 31 at the Flamenco Marina on Flamenco Island in Panama. Catering to boating enthusiasts from Panama and other countries in Central and South America, the show will feature impressive displays of boats in water and on land, marine accessories and services, and high-end automobiles.
Since the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, Panama has been a strategic hub for commerce and is now becoming a center for the marine industry in Latin America.
“With the growth of marina communities in the area and the increase in waterfront homes, coupled with the enhancements at Flamenco Marina, this area’s recreational boating community is poised for substantial growth,” said Miguel Lopez Pineiro, president of Flamenco Marina.
Several noteworthy brands and dealers confirmed for this year’s Panama International Boat Show include Azimut, Hatteras, Viking and Galati Yacht Sales.
“Building on the response to the inaugural show last year, we look forward to offering Latin Americans a fresh selection of boats and products that they otherwise might not be able to access locally,” said Efrem “Skip” Zimbalist III, president of Show Management, the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based company that organizes and produces the show. “The first step in buying, selling or building a boat is developing a relationship, and this boat show offers an excellent platform for Latin American buyers to meet and connect directly with many boat manufacturers and dealers.”
This year’s Panama International Boat Show also will feature fishing clinics for children and adults. Taking place at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on all show days inside an air-conditioned exhibit tent, seminar topics include rigging techniques, conservation and observer rules, all tailored to the regional Pacific waters. The bilingual presentations will be hosted by experienced regional captains with helpful skills on knot tying, fish handling and equipment, fishing seasons and local fishing spots in Panama.
With a population of approximately 3.7 million people, a gross domestic product (GDP) of $62 billion and an unemployment rate of four percent, the growth of the country’s business sector has been facilitated by openness to international trade and investment.
“As we continue to plan this year’s show, we are thankful for the ongoing support of the Panama Ministry of Tourism and the Maritime Administration,” Zimbalist added.
The boat show will take place from 12 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 and from 12 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 31 at Flamenco Marina.
Conveniently located near downtown Panama City, the marina is a flourishing tourist attraction with a wide range of amenities, including 238 slips protected by two breakwaters, a dry-stack facility that will be completed before the boat show, 24-hour security, marine firefighters on site, a fuel dock with low sulfur diesel and non-ethanol gasoline, disposal of foreign garbage, Wi-Fi, nine onsite restaurants, transportation assistance, fishing and private trip charter services, bilingual staff, and onsite government offices.
Tickets to the boat show cost $12 at the gate and $10 online. Children under 15 are admitted free. To learn more about attending or exhibiting at the Panama International Boat Show, contact Show Management at +1 (954) 764-7642 or visit ShowManagement.com. Follow the Panama International Boat Show on Twitter at Twitter.com/BoatShowUpdates and on Facebook at Facebook.com/PanamaInternationalBoatShow. Tune into Boat Show TV at YouTube.com/ShowManagement.
The Panama International Boat Show is sponsored by Fuerte Amador Resort & Marina, Flamenco Yacht Club, BoatQuest.com and Angler’s Journal.
About Show Management:
Founded in 1976, Show Management is the world’s leading boat show company. In addition to the Panama International Boat Show, Show Management also produces the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which is the world’s largest in-water boat show; the Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show; the Palm Beach International Boat Show; the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show; and the Suncoast Boat Show in Sarasota.