FROM THE HELM
STEVE MORRELL,
EDITOR
It’s Boat Show Season Again!
A
s I write this, it has only been a little over a week since the St. Pete Power and Sailboat Show ended, where SOUTHWINDS had a booth. It was one of the best shows in years—and the biggest—with great weather and lots of exhibitors and visitors (see page 43 for some photos and more info). We distributed an extra 2000 copies at the show from our booth and at various racks spread around the grounds. They were picked up fairly quickly, to the point where I had to not replenish some racks near the end, so we would always have some at the booth. And it’s always nice to have people come by our booth and say good words about the magazine. SOUTHWINDS has been promoting sailing in the Southeast since its debut by Doran Cushing at the 1993 sailboat show (I have owned it for 11-plus years since July 2002)—and enjoyed good success ever since. Every year, I enjoy this show, as I get to meet a lot of people whom I only see at the show, and others whom I know only via phone call or email. It is the people that make this show—and their interest in boating and sailing. It is a chance for small exhibitors to show their wares in real time—for customers to pick up a product, touch it and see what it is like—since so many small companies in this business are small, home-based operations that know customers only through their website, word of mouth, a printed ad or a review. Most of them don’t get their products on a shelf at the local West Marine or other marine store, or if they do, they are often lost among the thousands of items found in a big store. Exhibitors will spend a lot of money on these shows, paying for a booth, hotel, restaurants, etc.—besides the travel costs in time and money. Many will get no immediate sale and return on their show costs, but all hope to
SOUTHWINDS
increase the presence of their product on the boating public. Then there’s the boats. Many boat-buyers feel more comfortable looking at boats at a boat show—without the one-on-one presence of a salesman promoting the product as they tour a boat. They get to roam around more freely and poke into the nooks and crannies of boats of all sizes and types—and see how the latest innovation has been incorporated into the latest model. Even if they aren’t serious buyers, they look at boats like a big advertisement where they put it in the back of their minds, hoping—and often making it a reality—they will someday buy from this broker or that manufacturer, because of how they were treated, or the quality and feel of the boat. Since boating is recreation—and because so many who are in the business are in it, not solely to make money, but because they love boating—both the buyer and sellers in this business have a different attitude about the boats and all the gear; it’s all for fun and adventure. Next up is the Miami Boat Show—which includes the Strictly Sail section—Feb. 14-18. SOUTHWINDS has been distributed (also an extra 2000 copies) at the show entry for all the 11-plus years I’ve owned it, but last year was the first year time I delivered the magazine myself—and the first time I’d been to the show in more years than that. It was such a great experiencethat I will go again this year, and probably every year from now on. With the tropical blue waters of Miami—in the dead of winter—and the beautiful weather, this show is really a joy, besides all the gear and boats you get to see. And if you really want to see a ton— well, many tons—of gear and boating stuff, go to the main convention center at the show, but plan on more than one day to tour it. It’s not big; it’s huge.
MAGAZINE
NEWS AND VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
The only sailing and cruising magazine exclusively serving the southern coastal states, the Bahamas & the Caribbean Delivered to over 500 locations in the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas – FREE at: Marinas, Boatyards, Marine Stores, Sail Lofts, Yacht Clubs, Yacht Brokers – and other sailing- and boating-related businesses SOUTHWINDS Covers it all: • Daysailing • Cruising • Racing • Waterways Issues • Southern sailing events • Hurricane protection for your boat • NEW monthly column: TrawlerTalk for trawler lovers and those sailors who have moved on to trawlers • AND A LOT MORE
SOUTHWINDS is the leader in promoting boater’ cruising rights and boat hurricane protection (see our hurricane web pages) Read the complete magazine online for free at
www.southwindsmagazine.com Available on the website: Hurricane Protection, Southern Yacht Club directory, Southern Youth Sailing Programs, Boat Reviews, Past Issues (since 2003) and more For more, and informaton on advertising, email editor@southwindsmagazine.com, or 941-795-8704
“Why spend lots of money advertising in national magazines when you target southern sailors for a lot less?” 6
January 2013
SOUTHWINDS
www.southwindsmagazine.com