Palm Beach Boat Show Transit and Parking Map - 2020

Palm Beach International Boat Show Transit and Parking Map 2020

Design by John Potter of Escape Key Graphics - 2020
For the latest map version visit PBBoatshow.com
If you are interested in hiring me to create an original map or illustration for you please contact me.

Design Approach

The 2020 parking and transportation map carried forward the established look from the previous year. Consistency matters in event graphics. Visitors who used the map before should feel immediately at home with the new version. My primary job here was clear functional design. Take complex logistical information and make it readable at a glance.

I sourced the geographic data from OpenStreetMap. The presentation is a straightforward overhead street map. Green for land, blue for water. Nothing fancy, just the fastest way for someone to understand where they are and where they need to go.

What the Map Shows

The map integrates all essential transit information. Trolley routes appear as a color coded system with a dedicated key that includes hours of operation. I also keyed trolley stop locations, the show border, official entrances, and any planned road closures. Parking facilities stand out as numbered maroon dots with white numerals. Visitors can spot their lot immediately without scanning dense text.

Two Uses, One Map

This map were to serve two purposes. It was to be available as a downloadable PDF on the event website before the show, which let visitors plan their arrival and route in advance. It also was to appear on physical signage at the show itself for on site reference. In both roles, the map would have functioned as both a practical tool and a piece of pre event marketing. It would have managing expectations and reducing confusion before anyone arrives makes the whole event run smoother.

More Work Like This

For additional examples of informational maps I have designed, please visit my Maps portfolio.

Maps For Palm Beach International Boat Show:

• About The Palm Beach Boat Show
• Main Map: 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013| 2012 | 2011
• Transit & Parking Map: 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2016
• Program Layout: 2026 | 2025 | 2024
• Video: 2013

OVERHEAD MAPS:

Palm Beach International Boat Show: A Premier Marine Event & Showcase for Custom Map Design:

The Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS) is one of the most prestigious and influential boat shows in the United States, attracting marine enthusiasts, yacht buyers, industry professionals, and visitors from around the world each year. Held along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida, this waterfront event features an extraordinary display of luxury vessels, marine accessories, and lifestyle experiences - all set against the scenic backdrop of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Since its inception in 1982, PBIBS has grown into a major economic and cultural driver for the region, with attendance regularly surpassing 55,000 visitors and contributing more than $1 billion in economic impact to Palm Beach County.

World Class Yachts and Marine Innovation

Each year the show presents an impressive lineup of more than 800 to 1,000 boats and vessels, ranging from nimble 8 foot inflatable boats to luxurious superyachts approaching 300 feet in length. With over 600 exhibiting brands and hundreds of boats on display, PBIBS is a premier destination for exploring the latest in marine technology, yacht design, and nautical accessories.

The event also includes specialty showcases such as the Superyacht Show at Palm Harbor, educational seminars on boating and ownership, live activations like the AquaZone, and family-friendly activities including kids’ fishing clinics.

Relaxed Luxury & Local Culture

Unlike some of the larger boat shows in South Florida—such as Miami and Fort Lauderdale—the Palm Beach International Boat Show offers a somewhat more relaxed and refined atmosphere, with easy access to parking, public transit, and downtown amenities. Attendees often combine their day at the show with visits to nearby restaurants, bars, galleries, and shopping districts like CityPlace (now known as Rosemary Square), making it an attractive cultural and social destination for locals and visitors alike.

Art, Innovation & VIP Experiences

PBIBS is not just about boats - it’s also increasingly about lifestyle, luxury, and cultural engagement. VIP ticket holders enjoy access to premium lounges, gourmet dining, and exclusive events that sometimes coincide with related cultural offerings like the Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary (PBM+C) Art Fair, blending the worlds of fine art and luxury yachting.

For art lovers and design conscious attendees, the visual identity of the show is critical - not only in exhibits and signage but in how visitors navigate the expansive layout of boats, exhibits, food and beverage zones, and educational activations.

Featured Map Illustrator: John Potter / Escape Key Graphics

For more than a decade - from 2011 to the present - I have served as the illustrator and designer for the official Palm Beach International Boat Show map. Over the years, I have collaborated closely with the show’s production team at Informa Markets to refine and evolve the show’s visual mapping system to meet the needs of attendees, exhibitors, and staff as the event continues to grow and change.

My contributions have included:

• Official show map illustration—updated annually to reflect layout changes and new technologies

• App and digital maps used on mobile platforms during the event

• Signage and wayfinding graphics throughout the show footprint

• Transit and foldable maps designed for easy distribution and practical use

Each year’s map reflects improvements in style, software, and usability, ensuring that visitors have a seamless visual experience while navigating the show’s dynamic waterfront layout.

 

CUSTOM BOAT SHOW MAPS: