2026 Windy City Boat & Yacht Show Map

Windy City Boat & Yacht Show - Illustrated Map - 2026

Illustration and Graphic Design by John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
Client: Informa Markets
For information about the Windy City Boat & Yacht Show and to ensure you're seeing the latest maps and information visit WindyCityBYS.com

About the Show

I’m excited to be part of the debut Windy City Boat & Yacht Show in Chicago, IL. Held at Burnham Harbor just south of Soldier Field and near the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium—the venue is easily accessible via the 18th Street Metra station or water taxi.

The event features in-water boats up to 75 feet, from powerboats to sailboats, including new models and brokerage vessels. On land, explore the latest in marine tech, accessories, safety gear, and essentials. Whether you’re a seasoned boater or looking for a great day out, this show delivers.

Making the Map

As with Informa shows, this map is built from a 3D digital model I created. I anticipated this event early and modeled a larger area than the final map shows expecting future growth.

I rendered images from the model, then refined them in Photoshop, adding keys, icons, and graphics in Illustrator. I’ve used this technique for years at the Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Palm Beach boat shows. This map follows a similar scale and layout to the Suncoast show, so I applied the same clear dock numbering and keying.

Uses

This map will appear on the official show website, mobile app, printed materials, and event signage—maximizing its value as both a practical wayfinding tool and an aspirational preview of the experience.

I’m genuinely excited to see boat shows emerging in Chicago. With over 94,000 square miles of freshwater cruising across the Great Lakes—perfect for diving, sailing, fishing, and touring—boating offers a wonderful escape from the city into nature.