By Delaney Crawford
Ever wondered what it’s like to step aboard a luxury yacht, test the latest fishing gear, or chat with boating experts all under one roof? Last week, the Atlantic City Boat Show transformed the Convention Center into a marine enthusiast’s paradise, drawing thousands of visitors eager to explore the latest in boating innovation.
From sleek, high-performance speedboats to family-friendly rides, the show offered something for every level of boating passion. But beyond the dazzling displays, it was the hands-on experiences, expert seminars and interactive demos that truly made the waves.
The 45th annual Atlantic City Boat Show kicked off with a splash on Feb. 26 and continued to draw crowds until its final day on March 2. This show brings together hundreds of boats, the latest marine gadgets, and a shared passion for life on the water, uniting boaters, fishermen and newcomers alike in a celebration of all things nautical.
Pulling off a five-day event of this scale takes immense effort, but Discover Boating is always up for the challenge. Show manager Jon Pritko shared that planning for each year’s event is a yearlong process, meaning as soon as one show wraps up, they’re already preparing for the next.
“Some people may think it’s only five days of the show, but it actually takes four to five days just to set everything up and about two days to take it all back out,” Pritko explained. “But it’s also a whole yearlong process to get everything together. From selling space to exhibitors, handling the logistics of getting everything into the building, and planning the layout, it’s a lot. The exhibitors also spend a lot of time planning their space, picking which boats to bring, and getting everything hauled down here.”
This year, the Atlantic City Boat Show welcomed 370 exhibiting companies, showcasing everything from high-end luxury yachts to budget-friendly boats, ensuring options for every lifestyle and level of experience. When it comes to selecting exhibitors, Pritko said many of them continue to come back year after year, making the process easier.
“We don’t really pick the exhibitors at this point, I like to say that they pick us,” he said.
Stepping into the Convention Center, visitors were greeted by boats in every direction. Sleek designs, bold colors and unique names adorned the vessels, each one an invitation to step aboard. Attendees could explore any boat that caught their eye and chat with industry experts stationed at each exhibitor’s section.
According to Pritko, one thing that sets the Atlantic City Boat Show apart from others around the world is the passion of its attendees and exhibitors.
“The people that come here aren’t just interested in boating, it’s their lifestyle,” Pritko said. “That’s what makes this show different from others. The passion and love that people have for boating here is unmatched. It’s not just a hobby, it’s a way of life.”
Beyond offering visitors a chance to buy or browse different boats, the Atlantic City Boat Show is also deeply focused on education. The event featured numerous seminars on boat repairs and fishing, aiming to both enhance the skills of seasoned boaters and make recreational boating more accessible to newcomers.
“That’s how the show has evolved over the years,” Pritko shared. “People who are looking to get into boating may feel intimidated by various things, but we’ve worked to bring in a lot of educational resources and vendors who can teach them everything they need to know to get started.”
The overarching goal of Discover Boating is to bring more people into the world of recreational boating and fishing. Whether attendees were looking to purchase a new boat, upgrade their gear, or simply learn something new, the Atlantic City Boat Show aimed to deliver value to everyone involved.
“My hope for both the exhibitors and the visitors is that they got something valuable out of the experience,” Pritko said. “For the exhibitors, I hope they made connections, closed sales, and grew their business. And for the visitors, I hope they felt it was worth their time and money, whether they learned something new, found a boat they loved, or just got one step closer to getting out on the water.”
While the event provided excitement and entertainment for the community, it also served as a crucial support system for manufacturers, dealers and marine industry professionals.
Looking back, it’s safe to say it was another success for the Atlantic City Boat Show. From enthusiastic visitors flooding through the doors to exhibitors expanding their reach, the event once again proved why it’s a staple in the boating world.
When asked about his favorite part of the show, Pritko shared that it’s seeing all the hard work come together.
“Seeing it all come together is great, but also seeing the energy of the show, watching sales happen and exhibitors making connections. That’s what it’s all about,” Pritko said.
