The Newport International Boat Show is a showcase of the latest boats -- both power and sail -- presented in the luxurious setting of Newport, RI. The Show attracts thousands of serious yacht buyers every September, just as the northeast boating season is in its final burst of activity and the season in Florida is about to start. For anyone who harbors a passion for boating, it’s the only place to be - September 14-17, 2006.

		One of the four largest in-water boat shows in the country, the Newport International Boat Show covers over 15 acres along the historical Newport waterfront, stretching from the Newport Yachting Center to Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, including an expansion this year of the in-water area at Bowen’s Wharf to accommodate more down east style boats. More than 800 exhibitors with over 650 boats ranging in size from 16 to 100 feet are on display, along with kayaks, inflatables, equipment and accessories of all types - plus services such as financing, insurance, storage, surveying, repair and maintenance. There will be demonstrations, workshops and seminars all day as well as two NEW program areas: Focus On Fishing hosted by Northeast Angling and the Captain Kids program connecting kids ages 5 – 14 to activities in, on and under the water. Want to feel the excitement of sailing the Newport-Bermuda race? Want a preview of the sailing competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympics? Trying to imagine a winter cruise to the BVI? Want the inside scoop on the upcoming America’s Cup Race next Spring? You’ll find out about all of it at the Newport International Boat Show when Gary Jobson gives his exciting audio-visual presentation on Ultimate Sailing on Thursday, September 15 from 4 – 5:30 PM. This year, the producers of the Newport International Boat Show and World Publications, publishers of Cruising World, Power Cruising and Sailing World magazines, have joined forces to make “Newport for New Products” -- the show’s new product program -- the official venue for U.S. debuts of all new boats and boating products. Together they have established an industry-wide promotion that will recognize the best of the boats and boating products being introduced for the new model year at the NIBS show. There are 51 boats and 11 products officially entered. All program entries will be highlighted at the Show and the Best New Boat and Best New Boating Product will be announced and awarded special recognition on Friday. Fifty-one new boats and eleven new boating products – never shown at any other boat show in the country – will be making their official debuts at the Newport International Boat show this September. Judging on the opening day of the Show will be held to recognize the best of the boats and boating products being introduced for the new model year. Retaining the name of a long-running new products program of the 36-year-old show, “Newport for New Products?” has, this year, become an industry-wide recognition program with the support of Sailing World, Cruising World and Power Cruising magazines.

Nancy Piffard, Show Director says ”Newport for New Products has been a focus for the Newport International Boat show for years. Now, with the partnership of Cruising World, Power Cruising and Sailing World magazines, we will bring this program to a much higher level, giving the exhibitor and their new product the exposure they so rightly deserve. It will be a win/win situation for the show, the publications, the participants, and the show attendees looking for the latest and greatest of the new season.”

Beyond the attraction of new products and new programs, Newport itself is a huge part of the success of the Newport International Boat Show. Long a playground of the wealthy, the ambiance of Newport simply suggests that luxury yachting is an American right. With gourmet dining and beautiful accommodations, a colonial village in the background and a yacht-studded ocean in front, it’s a clear destination choice for serious boaters, or for those who simply love of the ocean. And, it’s all within easy driving, flying, train, or yachting distance of the entire Northeastern United States, from Philadelphia and New York, through Connecticut and Rhode Island, and on up to Boston and Down East Maine.

Newport has long been the first boat show of the new model year and the most established combination power and sail show in the industry. With new product introductions beginning in September, manufacturers have used the Newport Show to officially introduce their new models or to bring a new product to the American market. Now, all eligible boats and boating products will be featured at the Show with special signage and the “best” of the new products chosen will be recognized at the Exhibitor Breakfast held on Friday morning.

Tickets for Friday – Sunday are $16/day, with children under twelve free when accompanied by an adult. Thursday VIP Day offers special amenities and ambiance and all tickets are $25, no discounts, no children free. Half-price Military and Newport County Residents’ Day is Friday only. The “Newport for New Products” winners will be announced on Friday morning – adding excitement to the weekend. The official charity for the boat show again this year will be the International Yacht Restoration School’s Joyce Selig Memorial Scholarship Fund and a fundraiser will be included with the Show’s exhibitor party on Friday night.

The International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) has been chosen as the nonprofit partner of the Newport International Boat Show for the second year in a row. Partial proceeds from the Exhibitor Party on Friday evening, September 15, will help fund the school’s Joyce Selig Memorial Scholarship Fund.

“We are honored to have again been chosen as the show’s nonprofit partner and to have the support of the Newport show and its exhibitors,” said IYRS President Terry Nathan. “Scholarship funds help create more opportunity for students to come to IYRS—many talented students who otherwise might not become valuable employees in the marine trades.”

IYRS’ expertise in restoring wooden boats and training craftsmen has a strong synergy with the marine trades. The school, located on a waterfront campus in the heart of historic Newport, is a valuable education resource for the marine industry and is currently expanding its program of short-term career training for employees of boat yards, boat builders, and other maritime businesses.

The Exhibitor Party will be held on Friday evening, September 15, from 6 to 9pm, at the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina (49 America’s Cup Avenue). The festive event will feature hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and live music.

Founded in 1993, IYRS offers a two-year accredited program in yacht restoration and short-term career training for employees of maritime businesses. The school’s waterfront campus on Thames Street includes the 1831 mill building, now slated for restoration to provide additional school space. A West Coast program at the Spaulding Wooden Boat Center in Sausalito, CA is currently being developed. The 133-foot 1885 schooner yacht Coronet is being restored on the IYRS campus; the yacht’s remarkable record of ownership, extensive voyaging, and survival from the nineteenth into the twenty-first century makes her an historic vessel of unique and international significance.

Exhibitor Party tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance by calling IYRS at 401-848-5777, ext. 201 or emailing ksantos@iyrs.org. The Boat show is open daily 10am to 6pm. An adult ticket purchased at the show $16. Friday thru Sunday children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult. Thursday is VIP Day - all tickets $25. Friday only is Military and Newport County Residents’ Day - all tickets half price with identification. Visit their web site at www.newportboatshow.com - -

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