The Bahamas is sending its largest delegation ever to this year's Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in an effort to secure precious tourism dollars for the 2012 season.
The show, beginning today, attracts more than 150,000 people every year. Dubbed "The Big Kahuna" of boat shows, the Ministry of Tourism, Out Island Promotion Board (BOIPB), and the Marina Operators of the Bahamas (MOB) are joining forces for this all-important event.
Promoting The Bahamas to the world has perhaps never been more significant.
Although sales have been steady, with most marinas up slightly year-on-year, the situation is "nothing so stellar", according to Stephen Kappeler, the president of the MOB and Cape Eleuthera Marina and Resort. "We're not continuing to recede, so that's good news," he said.
"But it's not where it needs to be. This show is our market. It is exactly our demographic and we must take advantage."
The Bahamian delegation, led by the president of the BOIPB, Shavonne Darville, has an "expansive booth" intended to attract the attention of boaters and tourists.
Kappeler, who is representing the interests of the MOB, is feverishly promoting the specific deals and packages offered by members.
The MOB, he pointed out, has never been bigger or more organized.
This month, Guardian Business reported the addition of two new "powerful" members to the MOB - Lyford Cay and Palm Cay.
Central to the promotional push for marinas throughout The Bahamas is the unveiling of an exclusive map. Containing every known marina in the country, including those that are not members of the MOB, it is intended to create unity among stakeholders and promote awareness of exactly what The Bahamas has to offer. Mainstream boaters, Kappeler pointed out, often visit many of the standard ports of call.
The map shows people what waits for them right around the next corner - and it will be handed out at the show.
"This is the first generation map of its kind that will demonstrate in detail how easy it is to chart a course from the United States, in particular from Florida to The Bahamas," he said.
The hope, he added, is the map also creates a cache element to the travel experience. He expects people to put it up on the walls as posters or laminate them for placemats.
Preben Olson, the owner of the Grand Bahama Yacht Club, the country's largest marina slip holder, highlighted the importance of this show, saying it's "where you make all the contacts".
He told Guardian Business that his marina was slightly up in 2011, but they still have a long way to go.
"It was not a banner year by any means," he said.
"We're trying to see if we can get more revenue than last year. Times are tough. I'm very optimistic, though, because our bookings for November and December are looking good. Through regular marketing I think the economy will loosen up and better times are ahead of us."

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