JACOB JAVITS CENTERA View of the Annual New York National Boat Show in New York City

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), which hosts most of the major boat shows in this country, announced today that it had finally secured a different set of dates for the annual New York National Boat Show. The new dates will be December 13-21, 2008, instead of the traditional show dates between Christmas and New Year's, which were almost universally despised.

"This change represents a significant development in ongoing efforts with the City and State of New York to relocate the show to a more favorable timeframe," said Ben Wold, executive director of NMMA. Wold said the new dates will piggyback nicely on the holiday shopping environment in the city in that pre-Christmas period. Some exhibitors have already expressed their agreement.

"We're excited to participate in the New York show this year," said Scott Crutchfield, vice president of sales for MasterCraft Boat Company. "The previous date pattern made it difficult to attract the local consumer we were accustomed to seeing in New York." Crutchfield added that his company felt the new dates would "spur renewed interest in the show and delivery enthusiastic boaters to the" Jacob Javits Center, site of the annual exhibition.

Complaints from exhibitors and attendees have been loud and long for the past five years, which is the timeframe the show has been stuck in the between-holidays interregnum.

JACOB JAVITS CENTERBoats for Sale at the New York Boat Show