2026 Newport International Boat Show Map

Charting the Course: The 2026 Newport International Boat Show Map

Artist, Illustrator, Designer: John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
Client: Informa Markets

I'm the guy who makes these maps. If you plan on attending the show please visit the show's website to make sure you're getting all the latest information on The Newport International Boat Show at NewportBoatShow.com

Some maps are about getting from point A to point B. This one is about getting lost in the right way.

The Newport International Boat Show is unique. It doesn't exist in a sterile convention center or a sprawling fairground. It's woven into the very fabric of a historic city, spreading across wharfs, marinas, and streets that have been part of New England's maritime story for centuries. The line between "the show" and "the neighborhood" is intentionally blurred, making it one of the most charming, and most complex, venues to map.

When you navigate this show, you're not just finding the brokerage basin or the Windward VIP Lounge. You're discovering Newport itself.

The Style Has a Purpose

For this map, last year's goal was to bring the Newport show into a more consistent visual family with the other events produced by Informa Markets. The more realistic, illustrated look is the style that has been developed for their shows, so updating Newport to match felt like the right move.

That said, map styles are not one-size-fits-all. There are plenty of venues and events where a more playful, cartoon like isometric approach is exactly the right fit, and those maps work beautifully for their intended audiences. The best style is always the one that serves the client's needs and the map's purpose.

Here, the more relatable, grounded illustration makes Newport feel approachable and familiar. You can recognize the curve of a waterfront street or the roofline of a historic wharf building, and orient yourself almost instinctively. It's a style that prioritizes a human, intuitive wayfinding experience for this particular show, in this particular place.

Why? Because a map that looks like the place it represents is easier to trust. You can see the familiar curve of a waterfront street or the distinctive roofline of a wharf building, and instantly orient yourself. It's a more relatable, human wayfinding experience.

The Heavy Lifting is Done, But the Details Matter

This year's map is an update, but with a project of this scale, an "update" is still a significant undertaking. The foundation is the three-dimensional model I painstakingly built of the entire Newport waterfront. This was the "heavy lifting".. a digital reconstruction of the dense, charming buildings and the precise shoreline.

The model is now permanent. My work each year focuses on the temporary elements that make the show come alive: the floating docks, the show tents, and the specific layout that changes from year to year. These are rendered, refined, and then woven into the base illustration in my studio.

The final step takes place in Adobe Illustrator, where the art becomes a tool. Here, I add the keying, the labels, and all the navigational information that turns a beautiful illustration into an indispensable guide for the 450+ boats and countless exhibitors on display.

Your Map, Your Story

I create these maps because they do double duty. Before the show, they are powerful marketing tools, helping attendees plan their visit. During the show, they are essential for wayfinding, helping everyone make the most of their time.

If your event, whether it's a boat show, a festival, or a sprawling campus needs a map that combines accuracy with artistry, I'd love to chart that course with you.