Illustrated Boat Show Map by illustrator John Potter

Illustration of a boat show

Artist, Illustrator, Designer: John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
Client: The Newport Exhibition Group

Maps For Newport International Boat Show:

About Newport International Boat Show
Main Map: 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |2016 |2015 |2014 |2013 | 2012
Tent Details Map: 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
Video: 2012

Newport International Boat Show:

I have been illustrating and designing the official map for the Newport International Boat Show since 2012. Over that time the show has evolved through several ownership and management changes and is now operated by Informa Markets. The event is set along Newport, Rhode Island’s historic waterfront, and the map reflects that setting with a restrained, earthy color palette that supports a classic New England look and feel. As the show has grown, the mapped area has gradually expanded south and new waterfront buildings and features have been added.

The map itself has gone through several major design phases. Early versions were vector based isometric illustrations oriented from Newport Harbor. Later the orientation shifted to a more inland viewpoint to improve clarity and wayfinding. In 2025 the map was fully rebuilt using SketchUp, allowing for a more consistent visual language that aligns with other major boat shows managed by Informa while still retaining the character of the Newport waterfront.

Navigation has always been a primary focus. Docks use a clear letter and number system, while frequently repeated amenities such as restrooms and services are shown with icons so they only need to be identified once. As of 2025 the map key entrances as numbered red markers, attractions and services as numbered yellow markers, and exhibit tents as orange pill shaped labels marked with the word tent and a corresponding letter. This layered system helps visitors find general areas quickly and then narrow down specific destinations.

In addition to the main show map, I regularly create a series of detailed tent maps that show individual exhibitor locations within each tent. These are now simple overhead diagrams produced as vector artwork in Adobe Illustrator and are designed to be clear, direct, and easy to update as exhibitor layouts change.

As a small point of local interest, the Newport International Boat Show map sits directly across Newport Harbor from another long term client of mine, Conanicut Marina in Jamestown. Also, please don't confuse the Newport International Boat Show with the Newport Beach International Boat Show for which I also make a map.