A special “Sounding of the Horns” event will signal the arrival of the first ever Virtual Palm Beach International Boat Show on May 14.

The Palm Beach International Boat Show, which saw 53,000 visitors last year and had a statewide economic impact of $682.7 million, moved to a virtual platform this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a sign of unity, Palm Beach County safe harbor marinas, local law enforcement boats, towing boats, marine exhibitors, and area boaters will sound their boat horns for 30 seconds at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 14th to trumpet the launch of the show, which is owned by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County and organized by Informa Markets.

Participating in-water boats will be located between the Palm Harbor Marina and the downtown docks along Flagler Drive. The public is invited to take part in the celebratory opening. Downtown area residents and those who want to watch and listen from the downtown seawall at the public marina will be provided blow horns, while supplies last.

The show has been one of the top five boat shows in the U.S. and brings more superyachts to Palm Beach than any other event. This year’s Virtual Palm Beach International Boat Show will feature 436 exhibitors and nearly 800 boats including over 150 superyachts. Included is the 238-foot Quantum of Solace by Turquoise Yachts. Tours may be arranged upon request.

The virtual show will showcase more than $1.2 billion worth of yachts, marine accessories and will unveil some of the year’s most striking and luxurious new yachts, including the 242-foot Plvs Vltra by Dutch shipyard Amels, which is making its U.S. boat show debut, and the world debut of Grand Banks Yachts GB54.

Click here to register for free for the virtual show. Virtual attendees will see enhanced video content, including hundreds of video walk-throughs of boats and yachts, new product highlights, industry news and exclusive show promotions. The show will also feature educational seminars led by experts and panelists from Superyacht Times; fishing presentations by sportfishing experts and influencers, including youth fishing clinics by Hook The Future.