On August 30, 1836, brothers John Kirby Allen and Augustus Chapman Allen founded the city of Houston, just a few months after Texas gained its independence from Mexico. Thanks to its proximity to the Buffalo Bayou River, the newly founded city became a true fishing hub. The area gradually became flooded with fishing boats, which led to the launch of the annual multi-day Houston Boat Show. Learn more about the event, which draws visitors from all over the world, at houstoname.
Witness to boat evolution
After the Houston Boat Show started in 1955, a port was built in Houston to make it possible for guests from all over the world to dock for the event. This contributed to the city’s growth thanks to the funds raised from ticket sales. The venue for the event changed several times. For example, it was held at the Sam Houston Coliseum arena, the Houston Astrodome stadium and the NRG Center conference hall.
The Houston Boat Show is an exhibition where visitors may get acquainted with marine and boat-related exhibits. This event will introduce you to various types of boats, teach you the secrets of effective fishing, camping and sailing, provide you with opportunities to attend educational seminars, etc.
Since boats were rowed with oars at the time of its foundation, the Houston Boat Show serves as a witness to the evolution of the boat. Later on, steam engines and electric motors were introduced. Boats have also evolved in size, as they have grown larger over time. While the first vessels could only accommodate one person, more modern ones can transport over a hundred. Engines have also undergone major changes in order to extend their service life and improve safety.
Over the years, the event has grown to feature not only boats but also fishing vessels, fishing gear, boat equipment and more. The event eventually evolved into a venue for the display of modern maritime industry technology, including boat motors and hulls as well as marine electronics, camping vans, fishing rods, baits and more.
The significance of the show for Houston
- Tourism. Houston has emerged as one of the most popular destinations in Texas for boat trips. The Houston Boat Show attracts tourists, which generates additional revenue for the city. The show is attended by representatives of all races and nations, making it a platform for bringing people together and making new acquaintances. Such internationality diversifies the city, makes it multicultural, provides opportunities for mixed marriages and so on.
- City development. The proceeds from ticket sales are used for the construction of local roads, hospitals and schools. At the same time, revenue allows the city to improve exhibitions, expand the number of exhibition spaces and cover the wages of employees. The large number of tourists has resulted in an increase in the number of hotels in the city.
- Education. The Houston Boat Show provides educational opportunities. The exhibition brings together experts specializing in boats from throughout the world. The specialists instruct people in boat maintenance procedures and provide advice to potential boat buyers. They also provide solutions to challenges encountered by boat owners, such as where to acquire high-quality and reasonably priced spare parts in the event of a breakdown.
The Houston Boat Show hosts a daily series of workshops where you may learn about freshwater and marine fishing, boating equipment, boating skills and much more. Fishermen and boat specialists can instruct anyone interested.
Electronic systems are an integral part of motorboats. Boats utilize GPS to locate the best places to catch fish, fishing echo sounders to scan the bottom of the water and much more. Companies that specialize in this high-tech equipment also set up their stands during the exhibition. They teach boat owners how to use electronics and assist with the installation of suitable equipment. Many boatmen and fishermen consider the Houston Boat Show to be one of the best in the world, owing to its informative seminars and demonstrations.
- Trade. The Houston Boat Show has had a great impact on regional trade growth. In the early days of the show’s launch, fish was actively sold here. Over time, several kiosks selling various goods arose in the city. The boats, however, are the most important item the sales of which has expanded as a result of the event. The Houston Boat Show provides a venue for purchasing and selling boats of all kinds.
Family event
This Houston event is suitable for all ages. The exhibition includes a dedicated children’s area with toys and snacks, where parents can leave their children while they explore the vessels.
Children can take fishing lessons as well. They will also learn about the necessity of keeping boats in good condition and what factors to consider when purchasing a boat. Children do not stand aside and, like their parents, learn a great deal about marine transportation. As they are introduced to the culture of visiting such exhibitions since childhood, they are likely to become interested in the marine industry in the future.
Indicator of popularity of sea fishing
The popularity of the boat show highlights people’s love of ships and fishing, as well as how much the region’s economy relies on those industries. Every year, the display spaces are completely packed owing to the enormous number of participants wishing to display their boats.
At the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st, interest in sea fishing surged substantially and surpassed interest in freshwater fishing. At the boat exhibition in 2015, the number of vessels, marine equipment and fishing gear designed for coastal navigation and fishing rose. This demonstrated the increasing interest that people started to show in sea fishing.
Houston is collaborating with numerous corporations and organizations to make this event more successful and ambitious. Exhibitors receive numerous awards, which motivates them to attend the event with great enthusiasm. For example, on the 65th anniversary of the Houston Boat Show in 2020, the event already spanned over 200,000 m2 and drew hundreds of experts from the industry. There were almost 15,000 boats and camping vans on display at the exhibition. The show featured a beer garden and regular events including Kid’s Build-A-Boat and Bass Tub.
During Kid’s make-A-Boat, children can construct a wooden lifeboat kind of boat, learn how to build a boat motor or even paint a vessel. A Bass Tub is a lengthy aquarium that is turned for the presentation into the natural habitat of a variety of freshwater fish species. To imitate the natural environment elements such as stones and stumps are used to recreate the fish habitat. The inclusion of live fish in the fishing demonstration allows viewers to watch bait presentations and fish corresponding behavior through the glass.
As a result, the Houston Boat Show is a major event that has undergone many changes since its foundation. This is one of the biggest indoor entertainment events in Texas. The show offers the opportunity to learn more about boats and technological advancements in the sphere of water activities. This is also an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded people and find a company for a pleasant day by the water. Whether you are an experienced boater or have only recently gotten interested in the water theme, the Houston Boat Show will deliver an amazing experience for boatmen and anglers of all skill levels.