(MINNEAPOLIS) Feb. 1, 2012 The Progressive Insurance Minneapolis Boat Show attracted 34,555 people throughout the four-day event; an increase of 11.3 percent over 2011 and the highest attendance since 2008.

The show, celebrating its 40th anniversary, was 25 percent larger this year. It featured two exciting new attractions, a virtual Marina and Yacht Club Experience and Flowrider, an on-water experience that allowed attendees to try wakeboarding, surfing and more. Exhibitors and attendees were very positive about the changes and additions to the boat show.

Several exhibitors reported its the best show theyve had in years, said Jennifer Thompson, show manager. The news, across the board, was of stronger quality traffic and boat and accessory sales.

The Minneapolis Convention Center benefits from this increased attendance, too. Our concession sales were up 18 percent over last year, said Katie Smith, director of sales and marketing, Minneapolis Convention Center.

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit of the greater Minneapolis area.

Online: www.minneapolis.org

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/meetminneapolis?ref=ts

On Twitter: http://twitter.com/meetminneapolis

MEDIA CONTACT

Kristen Montag, media communication manager

612.767.8038, kristenm@minneapolis.org,

Minneapolis_PR on Twitter

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