The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today announced its acquisition of the Liberty Boat Show from Liberty Event Management LLC. Terms of the show’s sale are undisclosed, however NMMA will retain the event’s original location and dates and manage show operations out of its New York office.
“The Liberty Boat Show is located on a great site in the heart of the New York City market,” says Ben Wold, executive vice president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). “It has everything a boat show would want: Ample land space; a 600-slip marina; tons of available parking; and multiple mass-transit options.”
The ongoing redevelopment of Jersey City is one of the primary reasons NMMA was attracted to the show. “It’s the new âhot spot,’ Wold explains. “The commercial and residential development is truly impressive. We envision having a strong power and sail show at this venue, with plenty of brokerage and demo opportunities as well as fun, traffic-building features and events in the years to come.”
“Liberty Event Management is very proud of the show it built, and I feel with added resources it’s now perfectly poised to grow to the next level and beyond,” says Ken Tesler, former producer of the Liberty Boat Show. “The timing is perfect, as NMMA is the organization that can take the show to new heights.”
Catering to the Tri-State area market (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut), the Liberty Boat Show is now in its seventh year, with the 2008 show scheduled to take place September 25-28 at Liberty State Park’s Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, N.J., just minutes from Manhattan.
The 2008 event will proceed as scheduled under NMMA’s direction. Exhibit sales and operations for the show will be conducted out of NMMA’s New York office and managed by Jonathan Pritko, who is also responsible for the Norwalk International In-Water Boat Show and the Atlantic City International Power Boat Show.
With this most recent purchase, NMMA now owns and produces a total of 24 consumer boat shows annually throughout the U.S. and Canada.
For more information about the Liberty Boat Show, contact show manager Jonathan Pritko at (212) 984-7015; [email protected]. For exhibit sales inquiries, contact sales manager Dan Castellano at (212) 984-7012; [email protected].
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in the United States. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy, market research and data, product quality assurance and marketing communications.
