CLEVELAND, OH — The free, in-water boat show was staged by the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association (LEMTA) adjacent to the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This North Coast Harbor Boat Show took over all the docks in the “Rock & Dock Marina” for the three-day event, and dealers from across northern Ohio displayed power and sailboats from 22 feet to 55 feet.
This was the first boat show staged in Cleveland’s downtown since 1986 when the iconic Progressive Mid-America Boat Show, held each January, relocated from the Convention Center to the I-X Center.
According to Bryan Ralston, LEMTA president, “Boating is part of the resurgent urban living scene now happening in downtown, and our goal was to call attention to it by showcasing boating opportunities in the heart of our city.”
More than 15 major dealers docked over 75 boats and praised the location because it made it easy to conduct sea trials and demonstrations along the lakefront.
“An awesome venue, beautiful weather and a lot of great interest from attendees,” is how Jason Clemons from Clemons Boats in Sandusky described the weekend.
Jim Armington, LEMTA chairman, from Buckeye Sports Center in Peninsula said, “We confirmed the location has lots of potential going forward. The attendance was good, the setup was easy and we have a number of prospective buyers we’re working with now. So, we’re very pleased.”
LEMTA produces in-water and convention center based boat shows throughout the Midwest, including the Progressive Mid-America Boat Show (Cleveland), Progressive Catawba Island Boat Show (Port Clinton, Ohio), North Coast Harbor Boat Show (Cleveland), Progressive Cedar Point Boat Show (Sandusky, Ohio) and Akron Boat & Watersports Show.
