Premier Northeast Boat Show Announces Support for Local Nonprofits
Newport, R.I. – The Newport International Boat Show, presented by BankNewport announced today it will be giving back to the local community through support of IYRS School of Technology & Trades; the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association (RIMTA) to support workforce development at area high schools; Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s public sailing center; and Save The Bay, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and improving the Narragansett Bay. All of these partners share the Show’s aim to protect and celebrate the natural beauty of Rhode Island, attract new boaters and build a healthy and thriving industry workforce.
“This year we have made our most concerted effort yet to give back to the local community,” said Jocelyn Emory, Director of Strategy for the Newport International Boat Show. “We owe our 54 years of success to the unwavering support of the people and businesses of Rhode Island. By giving back to these organizations and in particular to the youth learning about our marine industry is not only a way to be involved in the community but also a way to help foster a strong future. We are very excited to partner with these organizations and look forward to a successful Show where these partners will have a place for their mission to be shared.”
IYRS School of Technology & Trades and the Newport International Boat Show are partnering to enhance marine industry education and spotlight career-technical training’s role in Rhode Island’s maritime economy. As the show’s official Educational Partner, IYRS will host “Tech Talks,” including a Gel Coat Workshop and two talks with Ed Sherman, one focusing on diesel engines and another on electrical systems. IYRS will also be included within the Shows’ daily educational offerings at the “Cruiser’s Classroom” that brings interactive learning to attendees. In addition, the Newport International Boat Show is a sponsor of this year’s IYRS Gala, reinforcing a shared commitment to the Newport community and the shaping of the future marine workforce. IYRS offers four full-time, ACCSC-accredited programs preparing students for careers in the marine and advanced technologies sectors.
For the second year in a row, in partnership with RIMTA, the Newport International Boat Show will contribute $1,000 toward Rhode Island’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum. There are currently about 100 students enrolled in marine technology programs, which offer instruction in several sectors of the marine industry including boatbuilding, composites and marine systems. In addition, the Show will offer all students enrolled in the marine technology programs discounted admission.
In partnership with Sail Newport, the Show is sponsoring Waterfront Day on May 31; the Annual Newport Regatta®, from July 12 through 13; and supporting Girls AdventureSail® Day on September 13. Sail Newport was founded in 1983 and is home to the East Coast’s largest public sailing center. Its purpose is to promote and operate affordable public sailing instruction, rental programs and to create opportunities to attract new sailors to the sport.
Save The Bay’s mission is to protect and improve Narragansett Bay and its watershed. They achieve this through advocacy, education and restoration efforts, working to ensure the Bay is healthy, swimmable, fishable and accessible to all. By aligning with Save The Bay’s efforts the Show plays a key role in raising awareness about the vital need to protect local waters. Through fundraising efforts during the ticketing process for attendees, the Show will use its platform for both celebration and conservation, ensuring the Bay remains a global environmental treasure for all to enjoy.
“Boaters, and the boating industry, depend on a clean, healthy Narragansett Bay, and Save The Bay has been working diligently for 55 years to achieve that goal,” said Topher Hamblett, Executive Director, Save The Bay. “We are deeply grateful to the Newport International Boat show for its generous support. It is an honor to be their partner at this year’s event!”
Show Overview: The Newport International Boat Show, one of the largest and most prestigious boat shows in the Northeast, spans over seventeen acres with multiple interconnected show sites in historic downtown Newport, Rhode Island. Walk the docks and admire a spectacular display of shiny new sailboats and powerboats, a brokerage basin, and some making their first-ever debut in the United States. On the land side, you’ll find hundreds of marine products, services and accessories to enhance the boating lifestyle. Also on deck are educational classroom opportunities, in-water boating courses and the Windward VIP lounge experience.
For more information, visit: www.newportboatshow.com.
Show Dates & Hours:
Thursday, Friday & Saturday, September 11, 12, and 13: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, September 14: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets will go on sale June 1, 2025.
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About Newport International Boat Show:
The Newport International Boat Show, held annually in Newport, Rhode Island, has been a premier event for over 54 years and is produced and owned by Informa Markets. With an economic impact of $23 million to Rhode Island and the Newport community, the Show continues to be a vital event for both the state and the marine industry. Spanning over 17 acres of Newport’s waterfront, the event features hundreds of exhibitors, dealers, and manufacturers, showcasing a wide range of new powerboats and sailboats (ranging from 15 to 90 feet), as well as an extensive selection of marine equipment, services, and accessories for boaters. For more information, visit www.newportboatshow.com.
About Informa Markets’ South Florida Ventures:
Informa Markets’ South Florida Ventures creates platforms for the art, beauty, boating and healthcare communities to trade, innovate, and grow. Based out of its namesake, South Florida Ventures provides a global audience with opportunities to engage, experience, and do business through face-to-face exhibitions and marketing solutions. As the nation’s leading connector of a diverse range of communities, South Florida Ventures brings a unique range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year.
About IYRS School of Technology & Trades:
IYRS School of Technology & Trades is a nonprofit, post-secondary experiential learning institution in Newport, Rhode Island and is the premier marine trades and modern manufacturing school in the United States. IYRS was founded in 1993 as the International Yacht Restoration School on the Newport harbor front. Since that time, IYRS has grown into a world-class learning institution offering four full-time, ACCSC-accredited programs. IYRS offers education & training programs for people with a passion for thinking and working with their hands. IYRS students go on to careers across a wide range of industries including marine, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, wind energy, and composites. For more information, visit iyrs.edu or visit us on Facebook @IYRS.Training.Programs or Instagram @iyrsedu.
About RIMTA:
Rhode Island’s long tradition of boat building and hosting competitive sailing events has given rise to a vibrant marine trades sector. From boat builders to manufacturers, marinas, retailers, yacht and charter brokers, sailmakers, and schools and educational programs, the Ocean State has a concentrated nexus of expertise that is unparalleled in any other area of the country. The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, or RIMTA, is the trade association that links these marine businesses together and works in concert with industry, government and other nonprofits to coordinate the programs and policies that give this sector an edge in the global recreational boating business. rimta.org
About Sail Newport:
Sail Newport was founded in 1983 after the loss of the America’s Cup to keep sailing alive in Newport both as a sport, and to support the blue economy with sailing events. In the past forty years the nonprofit organization has worked to provide public access by hosting local, national and international sailing regattas, programs, special events and major marine events such as the America’s Cup World Series and three editions of the Volvo Ocean Race. Each year, thousands of sailors from age 5 and older visit the sailing center to learn to sail, improve their skills, rent sailboats, use the waterfront sailing center facilities and attend events. sailnewport.org
About Save The Bay:
Founded in 1970, the Rhode Island-based nonprofit Save The Bay seeks to protect and improve Narragansett Bay and its 1,705-square-mile watershed. The organization works to achieve its vision of a fully swimmable, fishable Narragansett Bay, accessible to all, through its advocacy, education, and habitat restoration and adaptation work. Learn more about Save The Bay at www.savebay.org.