A quick glance at the marker board in our conference room here at PDB headquarters and you might think we’re mapping out a typical January schedule for an NHL team. Toronto is circled in red, with double arrows pointing towards Minneapolis, and question marks are placed beside Atlanta and Milwaukee, along with an exclamation point behind Chicago, but I don’t remember why. No, again we’re not following our favorite hockey team this month. Instead, as a staff, we’re game-planning for a very busy January and our boat show tour!
With so many great boat shows being held in January, as a consumer, it’s hard to know where to start. Believe me, we feel your frustration. Take a look at our boat show listings in the back of this issue, and you’ll see what we mean. The simple answer to which boat show to attend would be to recommend your local boat show or the closest one to you. However, I’m constantly being asked which show is the best pontoon show or must-see for those interested in hopping on a plane to further explore our favorite type of craft. C’mon, asking us to pick the best boat show is like asking who your favorite Stooge is.
I can’t answer that question, but for sheer volume, it’s hard to beat the Minneapolis Boat Show, January 22-25. You can count on at least 200 plus pontoon boats being on display each year, and nearly every major brand is represented. Yes, despite the cold temperatures this time of year, the Minneapolis Convention Center will warm you up and satisfy your pontooning hunger. Unfortunately, this year, the Minneapolis dates coincide with other top shows happening in Toronto and Milwaukee that same weekend. A week later, you’ve got the Louisville and Cincinnati Boat Shows, not to mention the Chicago Boat Show that’s in its second year at its new venue. Chicago is another one of those shows we try to visit each year because of the variety of pontoon brands on display, plus it’s best known for unbelievable show special deals.
Atlanta, Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, New York, and others are all great January boat shows too, but unless you own a private jet, it’s going to be hard to make them all this month. (Believe me, we’ve tried.) Luckily, the Toronto Boat Show goes nine days (lucky if you’re not the one on your feet each day working the show), so that does open the door a little for a multi-leg trip if you’re feeling adventurous.
Before heading out to one or more of these January shows, be sure to arm yourself with our annual Buyer’s Guide. We’ve gone the extra mile to help narrow your search so you can make the best boat-buying decision for you and your family. True, you could always just show up and wing it, but that’s what my plan was heading into our last office meeting, and my staff wasn’t overly impressed with my lack of preparation.
We’ll be out this month pounding the convention hall floors and event centers, so keep an eye out for us. If your favorite show needs to find its way onto our marker board for consideration for next year, drop me an email and let me know why it’s your must-visit show.
Pontoon & Deck Boat Editor
