Discussing the Miami International Boat Show on AM 880 THE BIZ Entertaining Business with Frigibar & NMMA
“The 75th Anniversary of the Miami International Boat Show has a new home – back in Miami where it started in 1941,” said Cathy Rick-Joule, VP of the Miami International Boat Show for the NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association). The show was previously located at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Rick-Joule and Frigibar President and NMMA member Shuly Oletzky joined Nora Adler and Jesse Stolow on AM 880 The Biz’ Entertaining Business to talk about the upcoming Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show. Listen to the full interview here:
“We’re gearing up for the Miami International Boat Show, which is a consumer show. We’re looking forward to having the opportunity to meet with our customers to have them have a hands on opportunity to touch, feel, and see our products,” said Oletzky. When asked to explain what her company does, she said, “Frigibar Industries is the manufacturer of fiberglass marine refrigeration equipment. We make freezers, refrigerators. We also do dry storage options (including) dock boxes and deck boxes. We also build for boat builders and (superyacht) refit yards as well.”
Frigibar Captain Freezer
The upcoming show will showcase many new activities, opportunities and attractions for attendees, highlighted by their new location — the newly renovated Miami Marine Stadium. This will mark the first time in 46 years the Miami International Boat Show is hosted in a new location. “We finally have the opportunity to provide enough parking not only for attendees, but for vendors,” said Rick-Joule, who also mentioned that over 10,000 parking spots will be available for attendees. “I remember going to the stadium (Miami Marine Stadium) when I was a kid watching concerts and boat races. That was the place to go – it was an event to go down for (to be there),” said Oletzky.
The show brings a lot more than boats and attendees to Florida and the city of Miami. “This is a $600 million economic impact event. About 25% of our customers come from outside of the state of Florida. Many of them are international. We have a very significant South American influence. Out-of-towners spend $80 million while they’re here during their visit. The product sales result in about $30 million of sales tax for the state. Two-hundred thousand hotel rooms are filled, and I think most importantly – the people that come to the show take away a very positive memory of a beautiful paradise that we are lucky enough to live in,” said Cathy Rick-Joule.
The 75th annual Miami International Boat Show also marks a significant milestone in the history of Frigibar Industries, Inc. “This is our 50th year participating in the show, which we’re very excited about. We’re in Tent C Booth 554. Anybody that would like to come down, we’d love to see you. Come and enjoy a fantastic experience,” said Oletzky.
Attendees 15 and under receive free admission to the show. To learn more and to get your tickets, visit: www.MiamiBoatShow.com. If you would like to learn more about Frigibar visit www.aquaair.com. Come out and enjoy the show (February 11-15).
Additional interview quotes:
- “It’s the gathering of the marine industry.” – Cathy Rick-Joule
- “You have the opportunity to control your experience when you come to the show…You can have your parking ticket in hand, know where everything is before you leave your house. That wasn’t possible before. You don’t have to hope for that one parking spot.” – Cathy Rick-Joule
- “We believe we’ve found the future home of the boat show for many, many, many years to come at Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin.” – Cathy Rick-Joule
- “We are fortunate to have wonderful, mindful, kind business owners like Shuly participate in our events. They build a wonderful product; they stand behind their product. She stands shoulder to shoulder with many other manufacturers that run the same type of business. We have an association of members that are absolutely fantastic.” – Cathy Rick-Joule
About Frigibar Industries, Inc.
Frigibar Industries, Inc. is one of the longest established manufacturers of marine refrigeration. Frigibar was started in 1971 by Founder and President Sheldon Oletzky, a twenty-one year veteran of the United States Navy and experienced aerospace engineer. In 2011, Sheldon’s daughter Shuly Oletzky took on the role of CEO and President of Frigibar and strives to grow the company’s legacy of providing the best in marine refrigeration. These freezers have taken on a secondary meaning; on-deck fiberglass freezers are referred to by boat builders and owners worldwide as Frigibars. Frigibar provides hand-crafted, marine refrigeration systems of the highest quality.
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This upcoming February, the 75th Miami International Boat Show will bring over 100,000 visitors to the area for the five-day event. As you can imagine, a show of this size yields benefits to not only the attendees but the entire state. “The show is a tremendous economic driver for the state of Florida with an annual economic impact of $600 million annually, creating in excess of $30 million in sales tax,” says Cathy Rick-Joule, Vice President of the Boat Show Division for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).
Fresh Tastes: What would a Miami show be without great food? According to Cathy, the whole family has something to look forward to when it’s time to eat. “This year’s show features a variety of exciting new food and beverage options and experiences, including a BBQ restaurant, beer garden, cigar and wine bar, on the go lunch options, and an interactive kids’ area where they can build their own pizzas.”