The Everett Boat Show met its attendance goals and — more importantly — exhibitors sold a lot of boats, organizers said.
"All reports were that it was great," said Kim Bedier, the general manager of the Everett Events Center, which hosted the five-day event. "They were just happy."
A total of 8,962 people attended the event, looking at 238 boats that were on display throughout the center, said John Thorburn, a spokesman for the Northwest Marine Trade Association.
The group had expected between 8,000 and 10,000 for the event, which ran from Wednesday through Sunday.
Those who came brought their checkbooks with them — more than 100 of those boats were sold during the trade show, Thorburn said Monday.
Given that, "The sense around here was it was a big success for a first-year venture," he said.
It was the first major trade show in the Events Center, and the first time that the center’s staff had completely switched around the building from its hockey arena configuration to host the displays. That process went well, Bedier said.
The center also seemed well-suited for the show, she added. "The facility showed off the boats fabulously."
Thorburn agreed. "It seemed like it was a good match — our show with that building."
The marine trade association, which also sponsors the Seattle Boat Show, plans to come back to Everett next year. The goal is to make Everett a "personal and regional" boat show that becomes an annual event for boaters in Northwest Washington, he said.
They’re welcome back, Bedier said. "We’re looking forward to next year already."
Reporter Bryan Corliss:
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