Once again, the 2022 Newport International Boat Show kicked off our fall boat show season, and as expected, it was a great time!
We were welcomed to Newport for pre-show preparation by monsoon-like conditions. Our home for the week became waterfront property as the downpour combined with high tide led to flooding in the streets. Boat shows involve all sorts of moving parts, and a small delay can cause major challenges, so despite the weather, we met the elements head-on.
Move-in went smoothly and all the boats made it into their positions. By the time we dried ourselves out the storms were moving out and the perfect New England fall weather was settling in for the weekend.
Many hands do make light work… the Back Cove and Sabre display went up quickly with a team of folks from our dealer network helping out. From there, the team went through final preparation to ensure we were ready for the gates to open on show day #1.
Each year, thousands of people make their way to Newport and down onto the docks to get a first-hand look at some of the best, highest-quality boats on the market. Our display featured a 3-model line-up, with the Back Cove 34O, 39O, and 372 on the docks. The clock hit 10:00am on Thursday morning and the first wave of attendees funneled down the ramp, many of whom made a beeline towards us. The traffic on the docks stayed steady all day. That evening, we hosted a get-together at the display, serving delicious charcuterie, good drinks, and great conversation amongst all those who attended. It was a treat to host such a wide variety of folks from the Back Cove & Sabre families. There were boat owners, dealers and brokers, vendor partners, friends, family, and more in attendance, and we’re so grateful for all who came out.
The display stayed busy over the course of the rest of the show. It was not uncommon to hear vocal appreciation of the boats, comments about the quality and craftsmanship as well as the practicality of the designs were echoed by many of the visitors. Hearing those things reaffirms that we have an incredibly talented and thoughtful team, and is a testament to their hard work and dedication. Another thing that sets this team apart is their commitment to growth, and that was demonstrated shortly after our return from the show. After the customary “How was the show?”, the follow-up questions from the team were focused on what feedback we heard about how we can get better.
While we have another year until next year’s Newport show, we’re gearing up for the 2022 United States Powerboat Show in Annapolis, MD. You can find us on the F2 Docks from October 6th-9th, so if you’re in the area, please come and see us!
Get your tickets for the 2022 United States Powerboat Show here
