St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show | January 15 to January 18, 2026
Earlier this month, I worked my very first boat show at the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, and it ended up being one of the most informative and interesting event experiences I have had so far. The St. Petersburg Boat Show is one of the largest boating events in Florida and brings together boaters, brands, educators, and marine technology companies from all over the country.
Going into the weekend, I did not fully know what to expect. I have attended trade shows before, but working a large-scale boating event is completely different. Over four days, I learned more about marine navigation, boating safety, and the boating industry than I ever expected to in such a short amount of time.
Between the changing weather, educational talks, and conversations with experienced boaters, the weekend felt like a crash course in boating culture and community.
Day 1: Windy Weather and First Impressions
The first day of the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show started with extremely windy conditions. It was one of those days when you are constantly holding onto signs, jackets, and anything that might blow away. Because of the weather, there were noticeably fewer attendees walking the docks compared to what was expected for opening day.
Even though foot traffic was lower, the conversations were much more intentional and in-depth. People who came out despite the wind were genuinely interested in learning and talking, which made the day feel productive in a different way.
One of the highlights of the first day was Dave’s talk, which focused on chartplotters versus navigation apps. His presentation explored how boaters choose between traditional marine electronics and modern boating apps, and how many people are now using a combination of both. As someone new to the boating space, this was incredibly helpful for understanding how technology actually fits into real-life boating.
I also loved getting to talk with the team from Scuttlebutt, a well-known name in the boating media world. We had great conversations about marketing, audience, and content in the marine industry. One exciting outcome from that connection is that we are placing an ad in their publication, Latitudes & Attitudes!
We ended the first night with dinner at Stillwaters Tavern in downtown St. Petersburg. After standing in the wind all day, it was the perfect cozy spot to warm up, decompress, and reflect on everything we had accomplished already.
Day 2: Boating Smarter and Safer
Day two somehow managed to be even colder than day one, which felt impressive for Florida in January. The colder weather still kept some people away, but once again, it created space for more focused conversations with attendees who were truly invested in boating.
Jeff gave a talk that day centered around boating smarter and safer, which became one of my favorite sessions of the entire weekend. His talk covered practical safety topics, decision-making on the water, and how technology can support safer boating habits. It really reinforced how important education is in the boating world.
One of the most memorable moments of day two was getting to see Dave and Stacey’s boat. It was so cute and cozy. Seeing a real, lived-in boat made everything feel more tangible. It showed what everyday boating life actually looks like, and made me envious!
It was a great reminder that boating is not just about high-end equipment or expensive boats. It is about comfort, functionality, and creating experiences on the water.
Day 3: Sunshine, Crowds, and Exploring the Show
Day three was a complete shift in energy. The weather was finally beautiful, and the St. Petersburg Boat Show felt alive. The docks were packed, the booths were busy, and the overall atmosphere felt exciting and social.
This was by far the busiest day of the entire show, and also my personal favorite. I loved finally having time to walk around and explore other booths in more depth.
Some of my favorites included:
Power Squadron and America’s Boating Club, which focus heavily on boating education, certification, and safety for boaters of all experience levels.
Sea Scouts, which teaches kids and teens about being on the water, navigation, leadership, and marine safety. It was especially inspiring to see young people learning real skills and getting involved in the boating community early on.
Walking through these booths made me realize how strong the educational side of the boating industry really is. There is a huge emphasis on safety, learning, and community, which is something I did not fully appreciate before working this event.
We ended day three with dinner at Fresco’s Waterfront restaurant, which had a stunning view of the water and the marina. It felt like the perfect way to experience St. Petersburg. Of course, we had key lime pie, which felt like a necessary Florida tradition.
Day 4: The Final Day and Wrapping Up
The final day of the Power & Sailboat Show was busy from the moment it started. People were spread all over the show, bouncing between booths, talks, and demonstrations.
At our booth, we had constant conversations happening at once, which made the day fly by. It felt really good seeing so much interest and engagement, especially after the slower start earlier in the weekend.
Final Reflections on My First Boat Show
Working my first boat show at the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show was more fun, more challenging, and more educational than I ever expected. Over four days, I learned about marine navigation, boating safety, boating technology, and the boating community in a very real and hands-on way.
What stood out to me most was how passionate and knowledgeable the people in this space are. From experienced sailors to first-time boat owners, everyone genuinely wants to learn, improve, and share what they know.
This experience made me realize how much I enjoy working in this industry. It combines technology, lifestyle, education, and community in a way that feels meaningful and exciting. It also showed me how valuable in-person events still are, especially for building real relationships and understanding your audience.
Windy, cold hands, and sore feet included, I would absolutely work another boat show again. And next time, I might even know what I am talking about a little more.
