Press Releases
For Immediate Release
Friday, August 15, 2008
2008 Fact Sheet
What: 2008 Virginia In-Water Boat Expo & SailFest
* Virginias largest in-water boating exhibition showcasing the newest boats and the latest marine products and gadgets, all in one place at the best deals offered throughout the year
* The three-day boating spectacular offers something to accommodate every budget and lifestyle. Boating enthusiasts will find the latest in high-tech performance boats, luxury and cruising yachts, sport fishers and bass boats, sailboats, and personal watercraft. Several new boats will be making their regional debut at the show, including: the 2009 45 DS Hunter sailboat; the 31 Beneteau sailboat; and the Donzi 35ZR Limited Edition 009 high-performance powerboat.
When: September 12-14, 2008
Where: Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk Waterfront, Waterside Drive, Norfolk VA 23510
Special Features:
* A one-stop resource for boating information and advice, the shows Discover Boating Center is staffed by unbiased experts who can answer all of your boating questions and set you on a course to choosing a boat that will give you and your family years of enjoyment. The Discover Boating Center will feature fun contests and giveaways, plus FREE boat rides.
* "Miss Geico," the worlds fastest offshore racing boat, is making her first appearance in Norfolk and will be on display in the shows high performance zone. The legendary boat is powered with the same turbine engines that flew missions in the first Gulf War and is capable of reaching speeds of more than 185 miles per hour.
* The work of Carey Chen, one of the pre-eminent artists in the marine industry today, will be on display all weekend. Chen, who relies on his extensive experience at sea and his unique use of colors to capture even minute details which yield some of the most powerful and realistic marine scenes ever created on canvas, will appear in person at the show to talk about his collection and sign autographs. Chen designed the official 2008 VIBE t-shirt, which will be available for sale onsite. Visitors to the show can register to win a Carey Chen lithograph; one give-away per day.
* A menu of "Round Table Talks at the Captain's Quarters" will offer educational and informational presentations such as tips on green boating, how to conduct a vessel safety check, new marine laws that affect the recreational boater, introduction to sailing, tips on pet safety aboard a boat, understanding today's new marine electronics and technology, and the "Top Twenty" cruising spots in the Mid-Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay.
* Fred Dant of Wake, Virginia will be on hand during all show hours to conduct Knot Tying lessons: how to make a working knot a bowline, considered by experts to be the most important knot a sailor can tie; a fun knot a turk's head, the basis for just about any fancy knot.
* The Antique and Classic Boat Society, one of the largest societies in the world dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of historic antique and classic boats, will display part of their collection.
* The "Straight Ahead in Life" (S.A.I.L.) Project, which offers youth the opportunity to learn life lessons through the values and responsibilities instilled by hands-on traditional boat-building, boat-handling and small-craft sailing, will exhibit the skills they have learned with a three-day boat building demonstration and exhibit.
* Elite Fleet Club of Virginia will display approximately 50 scale electric boats from military craft to civilian models that range in size from nine inches to 12 feet long.
* Nightly entertainment!! After finding that perfect boat at the show, visitors who enjoy beach music can put on their dancing shoes and shag to the sounds of Coolin Out, The Breeze and Bill Deals Rhondels.
*For a complete schedule of entertainment and activities VirginiaBoatExpo.com.
Show hours: Friday, from noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for military personnel and their spouses. Children 15 and under are FREE. Tickets are good for same-day re-entry with display of wristband. Take advantage of the $2.00 per ticket online discount through Thursday, September 11. To purchase tickets online, or for more information, visit VirginiaBoatExpo.com or call 757-441-2345.
Parking: $5.00 event parking is available at City Parking Garages located within walking distance of show site.
Media Center: The media center will be located just inside the show entrance at Waterside Drive and will remain open during show hours.
Sponsors of the 2008 Virginia In-Water Boat Expo and SailFest include TowneBank, Jeep, Boaters World Marine Center, Miss Geico and the City of Norfolk.
The Virginia In-Water Boat Expo and Sailfest is co-produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Norfolk Festevents. NMMA is the worlds largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the $37.5 billion per year recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the U.S. For more information about the NMMA, visit www.NMMA.org. Norfolk Festevents, LTD is a private not-for-profit organization dedicated to producing premier concerts, festivals, ship visits and special events and city celebrations for residents and guests of Hampton Roads. Celebrating its 26th season, Norfolk Festevents has garnered international acclaim for its outstanding quality programming. Norfolk Festevents is the official event marketing and production agency for the City of Norfolk.