Virginia Key

By Zachary Devita With a move to the Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (or NMMA) begins to prepare for the 2016 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show. At the top of their preparations is the planning for parking, traffic and transportation. To accommodate the boat show’s guests and exhibitors, the NMMA, along with the City of Miami, has created a plan that spans from water taxis (which can transport up to 25,000 people to the event each day) to VIP and valet parking while strategically placing abundant public parking options throughout Miami and on Virginia Key. Furthermore, to ensure that the parking plan is full proof, the City of Miami hired Kimley Horn, a third party consultant, in order to provide a traffic study on the Rickenbacker Causeway. The study incorporates the importance of the Rickenbacker Causeway by minimizing the boat show’s effect on traffic, establishing an efficient transportation system that will help everyone throughout the five day-event. The plan was presented by the NMMA with the City of Miami to the Village of Key Biscayne. Top priorities of the plan includes: 10,000 parking spaces in downtown Miami, shuttle and water taxi services directly to the exhibition and water taxi or shuttle service to attendees who purchase tickets online in advance. “Transportation is a critical component of building a successful new show,” said Thom Dammrich, President of the NMMA. “As a result, we have created one of the most efficient transportation plans ever undertaken by NMMA.” The NMMA, as well as the City of Miami, will keep building and improving transportation in the future. The boat show will take place from February 11-15, 2016.  For more information, please visit miamisboatshow.com