Newport International Boat Show

Name

Newport International Boat Show

Legal name

Informa PLC

Website

https://newportboatshow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Newport International Boat Show is an annual four-day consumer and trade boat show in Newport, Rhode Island, operated by Informa Markets, featuring 450+ boats and 600+ exhibitors across 17+ waterfront acres serving affluent Northeast boaters and the marine industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boat Show Event / Marine Trade Exhibition

NAICS

All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (71399)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Auto, Boat & RV Shows (MPAGAFAC)

Keywords

• Boat show events
• Marine trade shows
• Consumer boat exhibitions
• In-water boat displays
• Boating industry conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Newport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Exhibitor Space Sales: Boat and marine product exhibitors pay for booth and in-water display space at the show.
2. Ticket Sales: General admission tickets, VIP tickets, and specialty experience tickets (Tech Talks, On-Water Training) sold to attendees.
3. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsors pay for various sponsorship tiers including presenting sponsor, official category sponsors, and branding opportunities across the event.
4. Parking and Transportation Services: Revenue from parking passes at Easton's Beach and ferry services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Newport International Boat Show (NIBS) is an annual four-day consumer and trade event held September 17-20, 2026 in historic downtown Newport, Rhode Island, spanning 17+ acres across seven interconnected waterfront sites. The core offering is in-water and on-land display space where 600+ exhibitors from 20+ countries showcase sailboats, powerboats (15 to 90+ feet), marine products, accessories, and services to approximately 30,000 attendees from the Northeast corridor and mid-Atlantic states. The show is sold to consumers via general admission and Windward VIP tickets, and to marine industry businesses via exhibitor space, sponsorship tiers, and the Newport for New Products (NFNP) awards program.

Product overview

The Newport International Boat Show is an annual event product consisting of a core 4-day boat show experience (September 17-20, 2026) spanning seventeen acres across seven interconnected waterfront sites in Newport, Rhode Island. The core offering showcases boats from 15 to 90+ feet, marine products, services, and accessories. Premium add-on modules include the Windward VIP Lounge (exclusive VIP experience with early access and luxury amenities), Tech Talks at IYRS (hands-on technical workshops), Cruisers Classroom (educational seminars by Annapolis School of Seamanship), On-Water Training powered by BoatClass (practical boating instruction), and the Newport for New Products (NFNP) Awards program (new product recognition with national media exposure).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Newport For New Products (NFNP): An awards program that highlights new U.S. product debuts with national recognition across the show, website, digital platforms, and within publications like Cruising World, Sailing World, and Yachting.
• Windward VIP Lounge
• Tech Talks at IYRS
• Cruisers Classroom

Products and services

• Newport International Boat Show (NIBS) The annual flagship four-day boat show event held September 17-20, 2026 in historic downtown Newport, Rhode Island, spanning 17+ acres across seven interconnected waterfront sites (Newport Yachting Center, Hammetts Hotel, Perry Mill Wharf, Bowen's Wharf, Bannister's Wharf, Market Square, Below-Deck at Hammetts, Perry Mill Wharf). Features in-water and on-land display of 450+ sailboats and powerboats from 15 to 90+ feet, hundreds of marine products, services, and accessories, plus educational seminars, in-water boating courses, and VIP experiences. Targets affluent consumer boat buyers and marine industry exhibitors from the Northeast corridor and mid-Atlantic states.
• Windward VIP Lounge Premium VIP experience launched at the 2025 show offering an indoor and outdoor lounge with views of Narragansett Bay, one-hour early admission, premium open bar, gourmet food, private restrooms, acoustic music, and luxury pop-up activations. Early bird pricing $250 (through August 15). Designed for affluent attendees seeking an elevated, exclusive boat show experience.
• Tech Talks at IYRS
• Cruisers Classroom Complimentary walk-up educational seminar series presented by Annapolis School of Seamanship, located Below-Deck at the Hammetts entrance. Covers anchoring, mooring, diesel basics, weather safety, navigation, chartering, boat buying, and maintenance. Limited to 40 students per class. Designed for both new boaters and seasoned mariners seeking continuing education.
• BoatClass On-Water Training 90-minute condensed on-water training session powered by Freedom Boat Club, with certified captains teaching essential boating skills. Priced at $199 per person, includes same-day show admission, max 3 students per boat, ages 21+, no experience required. All amounts non-refundable. Designed for new boaters seeking hands-on practical instruction.
• Newport for New Products (NFNP) Awards Program Prestigious annual awards program presented by BankNewport that recognizes innovation, design excellence, and consumer value in new boat and marine product debuts. Includes categories such as Best New Powerboat, Best New Sailboat, Best New Product Technology, Best Operational/Maintenance/Safety Product, Best Wearable/Safety Gear, Green/Innovation, and Accessibility. Winning exhibitors receive national media exposure across Cruising World, Sailing World, Yachting, Soundings, Passagemaker, Power & Motoryachts, and SAIL (worth ~$250,000 of free marketing and 2.5 million impressions). Designed for marine industry exhibitors launching new products.
• Exhibitor Space Sales (Booth and In-Water Slips) Booth and in-water display space sold to boat manufacturers, marine product companies, dealers, and brokers exhibiting at the show. Direct sales contacts: Lisa Knowles and Sam DiMatteo. Includes access to the NFNP program and the show's 30,000 qualified attendees. Designed for marine industry businesses.
• Corporate Sponsorship Packages Multi-tier corporate sponsorship packages including Presenting Sponsor (BankNewport / OceanPoint Funding), Official Outerwear Sponsor (Big Weather Gear / Henri-Lloyd), and additional category sponsors. Sponsorship sales handled by Brooke Vergona with a sponsorship brochure available. Includes branding, on-site activation, and audience access. Designed for corporate marketing and brand partners.
• Easton's Beach Parking and Shuttle Service Paid parking ($42 per vehicle per day, Thursday-Sunday) at Easton's Beach with complimentary shuttle bus service to the show entrance (approximately 1.6 miles), operating 8am-8pm daily. Designed for show attendees.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• IYRS School of Technology & TradescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIYRS partners with NIBS to deliver Tech Talks - hands-on 3-hour workshops covering topics like Multi-Meters & Electrical Troubleshooting, Cable Sizing & Crimping, and Gel Coat Repair. IYRS educators teach these sessions at their campus (449 Thames St), with complimentary boat show admission included.
• Annapolis School of SeamanshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASOS presents the Cruisers Classroom at Below-Deck Hammetts entrance, offering complimentary educational seminars covering anchoring, diesel basics, weather safety, navigation, chartering, boat buying, maintenance, and more. All four days of the show feature interactive panels and classroom discussions.
• BoatClass powered by Freedom Boat ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoatClass provides on-water training sessions during NIBS - 90-minute condensed training with certified captains teaching essential boating skills. Sessions cost $199/person and include same-day show admission. No experience required; max 3 students per boat, ages 21+.
• BankNewport / OceanPoint FundingflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerBankNewport and its marine division OceanPoint Funding serve as the show's Presenting Sponsor. They engage with showgoers at display B-2 for boat financing needs. OceanPoint tagline: 'Stop Dreaming, Start Boating'.
• Big Weather GearcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Outerwear Sponsor of NIBS 2026, featuring the Henri-Lloyd line. Their premium performance gear is designed for life on the water and keeps show staff comfortable and stylish.
• Save The BaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner enhancing marine industry education and protecting Rhode Island's waters. Offers seal education program 'Seals of Narragansett Bay' at the Hamilton Family Aquarium during the show.
• Sail NewportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner promoting public sailing and marine industry education in Rhode Island.
• RIMTA (Rhode Island Marine Trade Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting workforce development and the maritime economy in Rhode Island.
• Hogan Associates Real EstateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate partner welcoming military families and veterans on Sunday, September 20 alongside Discover Newport sponsorship of Preview Day.
• Carey Richmond & Viking InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance partner welcoming military families and veterans on Sunday, September 20 alongside Hogan Associates and Discover Newport.
• Discover NewportcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial destination marketing partner sponsoring Preview Day on Thursday, September 17. Provides information on Newport hotels, dining, and attractions. Free Discover Newport guides and Harbor Walk maps available.
• onPeakcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial hotel provider for NIBS offering convenient hotel bookings with no booking fees and flexible policies. Bookings available at compass.onpeak.com/e/12608246.
• Oldport Marine Launch ServiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWater taxi and launch service operating from Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, providing transportation to mooring field and Newport Shipyard Brokerage Show.
• Rushton Gregory CommunicationscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPR agency handling press inquiries and media relations for NIBS. Contact: Andrew Golden at [email protected] / 617-413-6521. Manages press credential registration and media assets distribution.
• Cruising World, Sailing World, Yachting MagazinesflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerNational media partners for NFNP program, providing over 200,000 subscribers in digital newsletters and extensive marketing exposure worth 2.5 million impressions and $250,000 of free marketing value for exhibitors.
• Soundings, Passagemaker, Power & Motoryachts, SAILcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAdditional media partners for NFNP program, providing digital newsletter exposure and editorial coverage for new product launches at the show.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show: Operated by Informa Markets (same parent as NIBS), FLIBS is the largest in-water boat show in the world, held annually in Fort Lauderdale, FL. It is the most direct competitor for high-value sailboat/powerboat exhibitors and competes for shared sponsorship and exhibitor budgets within Informa's marine portfolio.
• Miami International Boat Show: Major winter-season boat show produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, featuring powerboats, sailboats, and marine products. Direct competitor for the same exhibitor base and consumer audience, though seasonally differentiated (February vs. NIBS's September).
• Annapolis Sailboat Show: Annapolis-based sailboat show operated by Annapolis Boat Shows (acquired by Informa), competing head-to-head in the Northeast/mid-Atlantic affluent corridor for sailboat exhibitors and buyers. Operated by the same parent company, making it the closest geographic/seasonal competitor.
• Suncoast International Boat Show: Another Informa Markets marine event in Sarasota, FL. Operated by the same parent and competes for shared marketing resources, exhibitor attention, and sponsor dollars within the Informa portfolio.
• Cannes Yachting Festival: Europe's largest in-water boat show, held annually in Cannes, France. Direct international competitor for global yacht manufacturers and exhibitors, particularly in the luxury segment where NIBS competes via the Windward VIP and brokerage offerings.
• Monaco Yacht Show: The premier superyacht show in Monaco, focused on yachts 30m+. Direct competitor for high-end yacht manufacturers and the elite buyer segment that NIBS targets with its brokerage basin and VIP program.
• Southampton International Boat Show: Major UK boat show held annually in Southampton, England. Comparable in scale and product mix (sailboats and powerboats), competing for European-based exhibitors and international brands.
• boot Düsseldorf: The world's largest boat show by exhibitor numbers, held annually in Düsseldorf, Germany. Global benchmark for the consumer boat show format, competing for international exhibitors and media coverage across all marine segments.

Regional players

• United States Sailboat Show (Annapolis): Annapolis-based sailboat-focused show competing regionally with NIBS for sailing exhibitors and buyers in the mid-Atlantic/Northeast market. Operated within the broader Annapolis Boat Shows portfolio under Informa Markets.
• New York Yacht Club Invitational / Norwalk Boat Show: Norwalk, CT-based powerboat show that draws from the same Northeast affluent buyer pool as NIBS. Competes regionally for fall-season attention, though more focused on powerboats than NIBS's combined sail/power format.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/InformaUSBoatShows
• Facebookfacebook.com/NewportBoatShow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/newport-international-boat-show
• Instagraminstagram.com/thenewportboatshow
• Xx.com/newportboatshow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Newport International Boat Show