St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show Map 2026

Illustrated Map for Guests and Exhibitors

Illustration and Design by John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
Client: Informa Markets
I designed and illustrated this map. For information on attending the St Pete Power and Sailboat Show please visit StPeteBoatShow.com

This year marks a significant milestone: my fifteenth consecutive year designing and illustrating the official map for the Saint Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show. Over this long-term partnership, the map has evolved into a refined tool that balances immediate recognition with precise functionality, serving as a cornerstone of the event's identity.

A key principle guiding this and other maps for Informa Markets' boat shows is cohesive brand continuity. The viewer's experience is paramount; once an effective, clear format is established, consistency across years and events reduces cognitive load, allowing attendees to navigate intuitively. This priority for a unified visual language is especially evident when these maps are integrated into multi-show program layouts, where they must function as a cohesive family of graphics.

The artistic style has matured into what I describe as an exaggerated reality. It employs the visual language of an ideal photograph... vibrant color saturation, perfect depth of field, and crisp focus at all distances... yet is free from the limitations of actual photography, such as atmospheric haze or uneven lighting. Subtle outline strokes emphasize key shapes, enhancing clarity. This approach creates a scene that is instantly familiar and legible, focusing attention on the show's infrastructure in Albert Whitted Park without overwhelming the viewer with irrelevant detail.

While some Informa shows now employ a very focused view, omitting external landmarks, the unique waterfront setting in St. Petersburg makes the inclusion of iconic attractions like the Dalí Museum and the Duke Energy Center valuable for spatial orientation, even though they are no longer formally keyed.

Technically, this 2026 edition is still built upon the expandable digital 3D model originally constructed for the 2012 show, continually updated to reflect changes in the venue. The final artwork is achieved through a dedicated process using SketchUp Pro for modeling, Kerkythea for rendering, with finishing and precise information design completed in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

This map represents the culmination of a decade and a half of refinement: a trusted, visually engaging guide that meets high standards for both brand consistency and practical wayfinding.