St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show

The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, presented by Progressive, is the largest boat show on Florida’s Gulf Coast and a must-visit event for boating enthusiasts, industry professionals, and lifestyle visitors alike. Held annually along the scenic waterfront of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park, this event transforms the city’s marina into a vibrant marine marketplace filled with powerboats, sailboats, gear, and maritime innovation.

A Comprehensive Marine Experience

Each January, the show features an impressive lineup of in-water and on-land vessels including center console fishing boats, luxury yachts, sailboats, and personal watercraft, along with a 40,000-square-foot exhibition tent showcasing marine equipment, nautical accessories, electronics, and outdoor gear.

Attendees can explore hundreds of new and brokerage boats, discover the latest marine technologies, and connect with boat builders, dealers, and industry experts from around the region. The event is designed to appeal to both seasoned boat owners and first-time buyers, offering a broad range of products and services for all types of boating lifestyles.

Education, Seminars, and Family Fun

The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show goes beyond static displays to offer complimentary seminars and on-water training courses. Hosted in partnership with organizations like the Annapolis School of Seamanship, these sessions cover practical topics such as seamanship skills, navigation, boating safety, and cruising techniques. Educational offerings help boaters of all experience levels deepen their knowledge and confidence on the water.

Family-oriented activities like the Hook the Future kids fishing clinics, presented by Captain Don Dingman, are also a highlight—giving children hands-on outdoor experiences and igniting a passion for boating and marine exploration.

Vibrant Waterfront Location

Situated on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, the show provides easy access to local dining, shopping, and cultural attractions, making it an ideal destination for attendees to extend their visit beyond the docks. The city’s vibrant arts district, museums, and waterfront parks offer a perfect complement to the boat show experience.

Why It Matters

The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show is more than a marketplace—it’s a celebration of maritime culture and innovation. The event attracts tens of thousands of visitors, and its economic impact supports local businesses, tourism, and the broader boating community throughout Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Featured Map Illustrator: John Potter / Escape Key Graphics

For clients who have visited the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, you may recognize the distinctive illustrated maps and visual wayfinding graphics used to guide attendees throughout the event.

Over multiple years, I’ve collaborated with Informa Markets, the show’s producer, to create high-quality custom map illustrations that help visitors navigate the complex layout of exhibits, docks, tents, and event zones. My contributions include:

• Official show maps tailored to each year’s layout and venue configuration

• Maps for use in digital platforms and mobile applications

• Signage and wayfinding graphics used onsite throughout the show footprint

Each map is crafted with precision and visual clarity, reflecting the changing needs of a dynamic waterfront event while maintaining a cohesive and engaging aesthetic that enhances the overall visitor experience. These maps help exhibitors stand out, reinforce brand experiences, and support visitor flow at one of the marine industry’s most important regional showcases.

Connect With Me

If you enjoyed the show or found the maps helpful during your visit, I’d love to connect and explore how custom illustration, map design, and visual communication can elevate your next project. Visit EscapeKeyGraphics.com for portfolio examples, services, and contact information.

Find information about additional shows for Informa on my Informa Markets / Informa U.S. Boat Shows page.

BOAT SHOW MAPS ARTICLE - SOUTHERN BOATING MAGAZINE 2016:

"Navigating Miami’s multiple venues is easier when you use a map. If you’re at Yachts Miami Beach – formerly The Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show – the man behind those maps is John Potter of Escape Key Graphics, who created his first boat show map for the 201 Fort Lauderdale Int’l. Boat Show. It wasn't long before the creative concept spread. Less intimidating than site plans and more easier to follow than an aerial photography, Potter’s maps now grace the Stuart Boat Show, St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show in Florida and International Boat Shows like Newport, Palm Beach and Panama. His work on these shows frequently extends to many maps such as detailed area maps and transit maps. Potter’s maps can also be seen beyond the yachting industry in theme parks, resorts, wildlife sanctuaries, municipalities, campuses and gardens including Flamingo Gardens, Dinosaur World parks or The Dover International Speedway."

ADDENDUM:

I am presently responsible for illustrated maps for The Chicago International Boat Show, The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, The Miami International Boat Show, The Newport International Boat Show, The Newport Beach International Boat Show, The San Diego International Boat Show, The Windy City Boat & Yacht Show, The Palm Beach International Boat Show, The Suncoast Boat Show and the The Saint Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show.

There is a directory in my Boat Show Map Portfolio