ATLANTA, Jan. 19, 2007 – The Atlanta Boat Show shipped out of the Georgia World Congress Center last Sunday, Jan. 14, after a successful five-day event.  Attendance reached 37,371 as crowds came to see the latest in boating and enjoy the show.  The 2007 attendance numbers are a part of a 6 percent increase in attendance over a three-year average.

The Atlanta Boat Show will return to the Georgia World Congress Center in 2008.  Show dates will be Jan. 9-13.  Visit www.AtlantaBoatShow.com later this year for show updates. 

“We’re pleased with the turnout as well as the quality of boat buyers at the show this year and excited about the success of the new programs we implemented to encourage boat purchases at the show,” said Melisa Malone, show manager.  “The popularity of those programs reaffirms the importance of boat shows to current and prospective boaters as a place to see and buy a wide selection of products in one location.”

“We had the best show in over 20 years,” said exhibitor Brent Danneman of Park Marine.  This sentiment was echoed by Tom Child of Marine Specialties, who added, “We sold more docks this year than ever before. It was a great show!” 

The Atlanta Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world's largest producer of boat shows.  NMMA is the leading association representing a $37 billion a year recreational boating industry.  NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the U.S.  For more information, visit www.NMMA.org.  The Atlanta Boat Show is sponsored by Allstate, Boater’s World,  GMC Truck, Honda Marine, Lanier Harbor Marina, MARTA, Tow Boat U.S. and Yamaha.