Maing Waves: Yachts International Pavilion At the Palm Beach International Boat Show

By Jill Bobrow, Editor-At-Large, Yachts International

June 20, 2013

The Palm Beach International Boat Show is always a favorite with exhibitors and attendees. It’s not too big, not too small and, if Goldilocks were reporting, she would say, “This show is just right!” The annual event boasts a venue situated in a beautiful location, with accessible parking, dozens of nice restaurants nearby and a nice, easy tempo. Exhibitors say they find the show convivial and relaxed, but there are serious buyers strolling the docks. Attendees describe the event as being on a human scale.

Yachts International and Active Interest Media offered an attractive hospitality base on the premises of the show. Commonly referred to as the “Lake Pavilion,” it was a veritable glass castle, bright and airy, and it served as the go-to spot for several swinging soirées, lunches and launches. Pavilion sponsors included representatives from wealth management, aviation, jewelry, insurance, island idylls and spirits. The continuous flow of guests coming and going throughout the duration of the show provided pleasant engagement for all of the sponsors.

The Yachts International Pavilion hosted several parties during the show. The first night was the International Seakeeper’s Society event where entrepreneur Alex Dreyfoos was honored for being one of ISKS’s longest supporting and first founding members. ISKS president Richard Snow and ISKS founder Jim Gilbert gave him a special medal. The next evening was AIM’s marine-industry pig roast party for many of the movers and shakers in the yachting world. The night after that was the kick-off party for a new foundation, Ports of Cause (POC), sponsored by Element Financial and AIM. Joyce Clear, founder of POC, explained, “POC plans to propel a series of newly refit luxury yachts into the global marketplace as ambassadors for nonprofit organizations and corporate social responsibility and to host red-carpet events to raise money for these organizations.” During the show days, the pavilion provided ongoing hospitality, lunch and drinks for all the sponsors of the pavilion and their guests.

— Jill Bobrow