Exciting plans are underway as show organizers build on the increase in exhibitors, sales and attendance at the 2010 show, and a renewed sense of cautious optimism in the marine industry.  Expect to see enhanced show logistics as many exhibitors request additional space to accommodate expanded offerings.

Improved signage and a more integrated digital experience are part of a newly revamped, strategically laid out show design to help attendees navigate the world’s largest in-water marine industry event.  Show organizers continue to work with the City of Fort Lauderdale and privately owned locations on convenient and affordable parking options for the public.

Another exciting development for the 2011 show is a layout redesign of the Broward County Convention Center show location.  The new layout will offer a strategic traffic pattern assuring that each booth space will be a prime sales location.  Educational marine activities presented by the Blue Wild Dive and Travel Show, the International Game Fish Association’s School of Sportfishing, and Hook the Future also have been re-positioned and will continue to help create a total marine experience.

“Through feedback from our exhibitors and attendees we continue to work to present an improved show year after year,” said Dane Graziano, senior vice president and COO of Show Management.  “Demand for space is exceeding last year and we have made some tremendous logistical improvements.  We are looking forward to a fantastic show in October 2011.”

The show spans six sites this year and will feature more than $3 billion worth of boats, yachts, super yachts, electronics, engines and thousands of boating accessories from every major marine manufacturer and boat builder across the globe, as well as exotic cars, clothing and jewelry.  Other activities at the boat show include marine seminars, fishing clinics, live musical entertainment and an International Food Garden.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show^® takes place this year at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, the Hall of Fame Marina, the Las Olas Municipal Marina, the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, the Broward County Convention Center and the Sails Marina.

MORE INFORMATION:

WHEN: Oct. 27 to Oct. 31, 2011

• Thursday, Oct. 27 (Prime Time Preview)             10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 28                                                      10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 29                                                 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 30                                                    10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 31                                                   10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

PRICES:

• Prime Time Preview                                          $36 at gate, $34 online
• 5-Day Ticket                                                         $90 at gate, $85 online
• 2-Day General Admission Ticket                 $34 at gate, $32 online

(2-Day ticket valid only Friday through Monday)

• General Admission (Adults)                               $18 at gate, $16 online
  Children (Ages 6-15)                                              $5 at gate, $3 online

Children under 6                                                                   Free

About the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show^®:

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show^® is owned and sponsored by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, managed and produced by Show Management, presented by Intellian and co-sponsored by Seakeeper, Yachts Magazine, Budweiser, XM WX Weather, Aqualuma and The Sun Sentinel.  For more information, call (954) 764-7642 or (800) 940-7642, or visit ShowManagement.com.

In addition to the impressive selection of boats for every budget, this year’s Palm Beach International Boat Show offers an array of new interactive marine related activities:

• The Blue Wild Dive and Travel Show is an innovative presentation that aims to help people enjoy the ocean safely, whether learning to dive or continuing their diving and boating education. The show will feature renowned experts speaking on safe boating, scuba diving, freediving, spearfishing, lobstering, first aid, environmental issues and emergency boat repairs.

• The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) School of Sportfishing presents “mini-sessions” with some of the area’s best captains and professional anglers. While checking out the latest gadgets or considering a new skiff, anglers will be able to pick up hot tips and tricks from the most experienced fishermen on the water.

• Don Dingman, host and founder of Hook the Future, returns this year to host his Kids Fishing Clinics for little anglers ages five to 16. Each session runs approximately 45 minutes. Hook the Future was created by Dingman to show parents how important it is to spend quality time with their children and to empower children to do things for themselves.
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The past year marked the completion of a revitalized waterfront area perfectly complementing the yachting lifestyle the boat show brings to West Palm Beach. Updates include shaded areas, water features, a faux beach, pavilions, and floating piers.

Show goers will find navigating their way to this year’s Palm Beach International Boat Show easier than ever before. Multiple show entrances will be located at Evernia Street and North Clematis Street at Flagler Drive. Various municipal parking garages and privately operated lots are located throughout downtown West Palm Beach, most of which are within walking distance to one of the two show entrances. For parking and transportation maps, visit ShowManagement.com. Guests are also invited to come by boat and may tie up to the free Come-by-Boat docks located south of the in-water displays.

BOAT SHOW SCHEDULE:
Thursday, March 24 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, March 25 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 26 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 27 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

SHOW ADMISSION:
Adults $14 at the gate; $12 online
Children (6-15) $ 5 at gate; $3 online
Children under 6 Free

ABOUT THE PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW:
The Palm Beach International Boat Show is owned and sponsored by Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach (MIAPB), managed and produced by Show Management, and presented by Mercedes-Benz, Aqualuma, Palm Harbor Marina, Yachts Magazine, The Palm Beach Post, Budweiser, Hook the Future, Enterprise Rent a Car, IGFA, Blue Wild Dive & Travel Show, and Identity Travel. Show Management is the world’s leading boat show company and produces the world famous Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show®, The Yacht & Brokerage show in Miami Beach, The Palm Beach International Boat Show and The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show. For more information, call (954) 764-7642 or (800) 940-7642, or visit ShowManagement.com.

St. Petersburg, Fla. – The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, the largest boat show on the Gulf Coast, is set to sail into the Progress Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park in St. Petersburg, Fla., from Thursday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010.

This year’s show will feature an impressive selection of power boats and sailboats in a new, significantly larger waterfront area and on land, including a 40,000-square-foot clearspan tent housing all types of marine gear.

“This year’s St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show is on track to be more exciting, beautiful and convenient than ever before,” said Dane Graziano, chief operating officer of Show Management, which manages and produces the show. “The number and variety of boats and marine products, in addition to the great seminars, activities and comfortable venues, promises attendees an experience at this show like never before.”

Show-goers will find hundreds of power boats and sailboats anchored in the man-made marina set adjacent to the Albert Whitted Park and Mahaffey Theater grounds, including family cruisers, runabouts, fishing boats, magnificent sailing yachts, personal watercraft and much more.

Known for world-class boating, sailing and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, St. Petersburg boasts a vibrant waterfront scene, wonderful weather and miles of sandy beaches.

Plenty of onsite parking is available at the municipal parking garages surrounding the show grounds. The parking fee for most events is $6. Show-goers can also chose to ride the Downtown Looper Trolley, which offers convenient stops on First Street along the Mahaffey Theater.

In addition to the large selection of exhibits at this year’s show, there will be an array of special events and fun and educational activities, including marine seminars, the new Blue Wild Dive and Travel Show, and youth fishing clinics presented by the non-profit Hook The Future.  Attendees also will be able to enjoy refreshments and live musical entertainment.

To purchase tickets to the 2010 St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, please visit ShowManagement.com.  Admission is free for children under age 15 and military personnel with identification. Vendors interested in exhibiting at the show can call (800) 940-7642, or visit ShowManagement.com, for more information.

To make travel arrangements, please contact the show’s official travel partner, Identity Travel, at (866) 877-3083, or visit IdentityTravel.com.

2010 St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show Schedule and Ticket Info:

Show Hours
•    Thursday, Dec. 2              12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
•    Friday, Dec. 3                10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
•    Saturday, Dec. 4                10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
•    Sunday, Dec. 5                10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission
•    General Admission (Adults)        $8.00 online, $10.00 at show site
•    Children (Under age 15) and military personnel with ID        FREE

Onsite Box Office Locations
•    Show’s Main Entrance

About the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show:

The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show is managed and produced by Show Management, endorsed by Sail America and sponsored by Aqualuma, Budweiser, Hook the Future and The Blue Wild Dive and Travel Show.  For more information, call (954) 764-7642 or (800) 940-7642, or visit ShowManagement.com.

•    The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) School of Sportfishing will host eight “mini-sessions” at the Convention Center throughout the show with some of the area’s best captains and professional anglers, presented by Mercury Marine. While checking out the latest gadgets or considering a new skiff, anglers will be able to pick up hot tips and tricks from eight of the most experienced fishermen on the water.

Anglers participating in the IGFA School of Sportfishing mini-sessions include Captain Karl Anderson, Captain Josh Brown, Jamie Bunn of Bluewater Movements, Inc., Captain Tony DiGiulian, co-founder of the IGFA School of Sportfishing, Captain Mike Holliday, Captain Rick Murphy, host of Sportsman’s Adventures, Captain Ray Rosher and Captain Bouncer Smith.

•    The new Blue Wild Dive and Travel Show is an innovative dive show within the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The Blue Wild aims to help people enjoy the ocean safely, whether learning to dive or continuing their diving and boating education. The show will feature renowned experts speaking on safe boating, scuba diving, freediving, spearfishing, lobstering, first aid, environmental issues and emergency boat repairs. Boaters will have a chance to meet and chat with many of the speakers on Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the “Happy Diver Happy Hour” located in The Blue Wild Dive and Travel Show Seminar room and lobby.

The Blue Wild Dive and Travel Show has an impressive lineup of presenters for this year’s Show, including: *Boat Maintenance, Repairs, and Advice* with Gary Lawson from Boat Center Miami; *Boating & Diving in the Bahamas* with Captain Jon Cooper from Diversion; *Survival Dynamics* with Tom Mount from IANTD;

*FWC Dog Demo* with Hank Juntunen and Gauge from FWC; *Freediving* (Not an Extreme Sport) with Kirk Krack and Mandy-Rae from PFI; *Spearfishing Tips For All Levels* with Sheri Daye; Lobstering like a Pro with Dave Earp; *Rescues at Sea* with Coast Guard Lt. Kent Reinhold and rescue diver Bob Hovey, AST3; *Children’s Marine Book Readings* with Cathy Cisco, author; *First Aid at Sea* with Greg Logue; *Dangerous Marine Animals* with Rob Myers, author; Learn to Scuba Dive with Mike Kurczewski from PADI, and *Surviving Attacks and Protecting Sharks* with Captain Kent Bonde and Captain Mike Beach. All sessions will take place in Room 124 of the Broward County Convention Center.

•    On Saturday, Oct. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 31, Don Dingman, host and founder of Hook the Future, will host the 13th Annual Kids Fishing Clinics at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. for kids ages five to 16. Located at the Broward County Convention Center, each session runs approximately 45 minutes. Hook the Future was created by Dingman to show parents how important it is to spend quality time with their children and to empower children to do things for themselves. Each week throughout the year, Dingman takes a fresh crew of kids on a new adventure to destinations such as  Jacksonville, Fla., Homer, Alaska, and Guatemala.

•    Additionally, the Bahia Mar Beach Resort & Yachting Center is hosting the 2010 YachtInfo seminars on Friday, Oct. 29, presented by the International Superyacht Society (ISS), the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), and the US Superyacht Association (USSA). The full-day’s schedule is dedicated to the advancement of professionalism and encompasses entry-level crew and yachting professionals in all aspects of the marine industry. The classes are being held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a luncheon at noon, followed by a Captain’s Briefing from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 pm and a cocktail reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The luncheon and cocktail reception are sponsored by Viking Crew Management and Royal Huisman respectively.

The 51st annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show takes place Oct. 28 through Nov. 1, 2010, and will cover more than 3 million square feet of space, both on land and in the water.

IGFA SCHOOL OF SPORTFISHING MINI-SESSIONS SCHEDULE

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010
11:00 A.M. – Capt. Tony DiGiulian – Fundamentals of Sportfishing
1:00 P.M. – Capt Jamie Bunn –  Kingfish/Sailfish Tactics
3:00 P.M. – Capt. Josh Brown – Dolphin/Wahoo Tactics
5:00 PM – Capt. Ray Rosher – Sailfish/Dolphin Tactics

Friday, Oct. 29, 2010
11:00 A.M. – Capt. Bouncer Smith – Swordfish Strategies
1:00 P.M. – Capt. Mike Holliday – Inshore Snook/Trout/Tarpon Tactics
3:00 P.M. – Capt. Karl Anderson –  Marlin/Tuna Strategies
5:00 PM – Capt. Ray Rosher – Sailfish/Dolphin Tactics

Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010
11:00 A.M. – Capt. Tony DiGiulian – Fundamentals of Sportfishing
1:00 PM – Capt. Mike Holliday – Inshore Snook/Trout/Tarpon Tactics
3:00 P.M. – Capt Rick Murphy – Mastering the Flats
5:00 P.M. – Capt Karl Anderson– Marlin/Tuna Strategies

Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010
11:00 A.M. – Capt. Bouncer Smith– Swordfish Strategies
1:00 P.M. – Capt. Jamie Bunn – Kingfish/Sailfish Tactics
3:00 P.M. – Capt. Rick Murphy – Mastering the Flats
5:00 P.M. – Capt. Josh Brown – Dolphin/Wahoo Tactics

BLUE WILD DIVE AND TRAVEL SHOW SEMINAR SCHEDULE

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010
2:30 to 3:15 pm – Survival Dynamics, Tom Mount
3:30 to 4:15 pm – Dangerous Marine Animals, Rob Myers
4:30 to 5:15 pm – Pegasus Thrusters, Dean Vitale

Friday, Oct. 29, 2010
11:30 to 12:15 am – RealSea Wetsuits and Wong Spearguns
12:30 to 1:15 pm – Commercial Diver Services, Geno Gargiulo
1:30 to 2:15 pm – Lionfish Invasion – What Can We Do?, Alecia Adamson
2:30 to 3:15 pm – The Art of Freediving, Kirk Krack
3:30 to 4:15 pm – Real Life Stories from FWC, Lt. Bingham and Rob Murphy
4:30 to 5:15 pm – First Aid at Sea, Capt Greg Logue
5:30 to 7:00 pm – Happy Diver Happy Hour

Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010
10:30 to 11:15 am – Freedive Blackout Awareness, Julie Richardson
11:30 to 12:15 pm – The Art of Freediving, Kirk Krack
12:30 to 1:15 pm – Readings for Kids, Cathy Sisco
1:30 to 2:15 pm – Tracking and Game Detection Dog Demo, Juntunen and Gauge
2:30 to 3:15 pm – Surviving Attacks and Protecting Sharks, Bonde and Beach
3:30 to 4:15 pm – Search and Rescue Stories and Advice, Reinhold and Hovey
4:30 to 5:15 pm – What Every Capt/Boat Owner Should Know, Lawson and Cooper
5:30 to 7:00 pm – Happy Diver Happy Hour

Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010
10:30 to 11:15 am – PADI’s Go Pro/Careers in Diving, Mike Kurczewski
11:30 to 12:15 pm – Lionfish Invasion – What Can We Do?, Alecia Adamson
12:30 to 1:15 pm – Spearfishing and Lobstering Like a Pro, Daye and Earp
1:30 to 2:15 pm – Dangerous Marine Animals, Rob Myers
2:30 to 3:15 pm – Search and Rescue Stories and Advice, Reinhold and Hovey
3:30 to 4:15 pm – First Aid at Sea, Capt Greg Logue
4:30 to 5:15 pm – What Every Capt/Boat Owner Should Know, Lawson and Cooper
5:30 to 7:00 pm – Survival Dynamics, Tom Mount

The World’s Largest Boat Show

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is renowned as the world’s largest event of its kind, featuring more than three billion dollars worth of boats, yachts, super yachts, electronics, engines, and thousands of boating accessories from every major marine manufacturer and boat builder worldwide.

The City of Fort Lauderdale lives up to its nickname as “Yachting Capital of the World” as host to the more than 3 million square feet of space, both on land and in water, that the Boat Show will encompass. The show’s transportation network of bus shuttles, water taxis, and riverboats ensures attendees can easily navigate the city and its expansive waterways system.

The show spans five sites this year with exhibits ranging from yacht builders and designers to exotic cars and brokerage yachts. A wide variety of boats and sea vessels will be on display including runabouts, sportfishers, high performance boats, center consoles, cabin cruisers, express cruisers, sailing yachts, motor yachts, bowriders, catamarans, ski boats, jet boats, trawlers, inflatables, canoes, and extraordinary superyachts.

The Boat Show also will feature electronics, engines and thousands of marine products such as fishing equipment, dive gear, financing and insurance options, yachting accessories, nautical clothing, jewelry and more.

Other activities at the Boat Show include marine seminars and youth fishing clinics presented by Hook The Future, a non-profit organization. Attendees also can enjoy refreshments and live musical entertainment at the show’s floating cocktail barges and International Food Garden.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show® takes place this year at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, the Hall of Fame Marina, the Las Olas Municipal Marina, the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, and the Broward County Convention Center.

To purchase tickets to the 2010 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show®, please visit “ShowManagement.com”:http://ShowManagement.com. Vendors interested in exhibiting at the Boat Show can call (954) 764-7642 or (800) 940-7642, or visit ShowManagement.com, for more information.

To make travel arrangements, please contact the Boat Show’s official travel partner, Identity Travel, at (866) 877-3083, or visit “IdentityTravel.com”:http://IdentityTravel.com.

Show Hours
•    Thursday, Oct. 28 (Prime Time Preview)        10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
•    Friday, Oct. 29                    10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
•    Saturday, Oct. 30                    10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
•    Sunday, Oct. 31                    10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
•    Monday, Nov. 1                    10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission
•    Prime Time Preview (Thursday, Oct. 28)        $30 online, $32.00 at show site
•    General Admission (Adults)            $16.00 online, $18.00 at show site
•    Children (Ages 6-15)                $3.00 online, $5.00 at show site
•    Children (Under age 6)                FREE
•    Two-Day Ticket                     $32.00 online, $34.00 at show site

Onsite Box Office Locations
•    Bahia Mar Yachting Center
•    Las Olas Marina
•    Broward County Convention Center

Additional Box Office Location
•    Las Olas Riverfront

About  The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show®

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show® is owned and sponsored by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and managed and produced by Show Management. The 2010 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show® is presented by Intellian Technologies and co-sponsored by Yachts International, XM WX Weather Worx, Atlass Insurance Group, Budweiser, Seakeeper, The South Florida Sun Sentinel, The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Hook the Future, Aqualuma, Native Energy, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), Imtra Marine, Alexseal and Chartis. For more information, call (954) 764-7642 or (800) 940-7642, or visit “ShowManagement.com”:http://ShowManagement.com.

Now available for quick service and full service restaurants, the proprietary ordering platform is downloaded as an application for servers or for patrons. Already in use, the program replaces hand-held terminals and allows servers to take table and in-store orders on an iPad. The orders are then sent directly to the point of sale or a ticket printer in the kitchen, which eliminates errors and allows for quicker, more efficient service.

“This application is perfect for restaurants that want a ‘line buster’ approach so customers can order in line and then have their order ready when they get to the counter,” said Patrick Eldon, CEO of orderTalk, Inc. “It also works in casual dining, allowing guests to order and pay directly at their table from their personal or restaurant supplied devices.”

The customer platform includes the ability for patrons to download applications built specifically for their favorite food destinations on their iPad, iPhone or iTouch. These restaurant specific applications allow patrons to place pick-up or delivery orders, browse and select menu items for an in-location experience and even pay the bill directly from their hand-held devices.

Since 1999, orderTalk, Inc. has provided the restaurant industry with online ordering solutions including remote ordering, mobile applications and social media applications. As the leading provider of on-demand software and solutions, orderTalk provides exceptional service designed to decrease overhead, maintain customer loyalty and increase order frequency and check average.

Media Contact:
Pierson Grant Public Relations
Maria Pierson
(954) 776-1999 ×222
mpierson@piersongrant.com

OMAHA, Neb. – Legendary investor Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A and BRK.B), has teamed with the Dairy Queen® system to auction off a 33-inch, five pound, red metal DQ® spoon with his autograph to benefit Children’s Miracle Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for 170 children’s hospitals.

The recognizable DQ red spoon accompanies the treat industry leader’s popular Blizzard® Treats and signature Royal Treats® served at Dairy Queen and DQ Grill & Chill® locations around the world.
Bidding is now open on eBay® and will run through Friday, July 30. The opening bid is 99 cents. The online auction will be managed by Auction Cause, a premier auction management agency. The link is http://bit.ly/ebayDQ.

The larger-than-life spoon embellished with Buffett’s “John Hancock” was custom designed to adorn the DQ Blizzard®mobile which took to the road in April to celebrate the 25th birthday of the Dairy Queen system’s iconic Blizzard Treat. The Blizzardmobile has been traveling across the U.S. and Canada over the past four months distributing more than 75,000 free new Mini Blizzard Treats, all while raising awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network. The giant DQ spoon was signed by Buffett when the Blizzardmobile made a stop at the Dairy Queen booth during the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting this past May.

The auction kicks off the Dairy Queen Fifth Annual Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, August 5 when $1 or more from every Blizzard Treat sold at participating locations that day will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network.

”Miracle Treat Day is an important event for us and represents the enthusiasm and generosity that everyone in the DQ family and our customers have for helping children,” said John Gainor, president and CEO of International Dairy Queen, Inc. “We appreciate Warren’s help to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network.”

Dairy Queen is one of the top 10 contributors to Children’s Miracle Network, having raised more than $81 million since 1984.

###

About Children’s Miracle Network:
Children’s Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals. To learn more go to ChildrensMiracleNetwork.org.

About IDQ:
International Dairy Queen (IDQ), which is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., develops licenses and services a system of more than 5,600 Dairy Queen® stores in the United States, Canada and other foreign countries. IDQ is part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, a company owned by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.

Imagine you are the CEO of the equivalent of a Fortune 50 multinational corporation suffering a major disaster of its own making. How would you handle public relations and crisis communications?

For executives with BP PLC, the answer is “not very well,” according to local publicists asked to critique the company’s response.

Since the Deepwater Horizon disaster on April 20, BP has been reactionary and delayed in its response to events along the Gulf of Mexico, executives said. CEO Tony Hayward appeared “detached, dishonest and disrespectful” in addressing the catastrophe, said Jane Grant, president of Pierson Grant Public Relations in Fort Lauderdale.

The problem may stem from the conflicted roles of counsel. PR counsel advises management to be forthcoming and honest, while attorneys caution against statements accepting blame that may be used by in criminal and civil actions, Grant said. Her grade: F.

On the digital front, the company has been responsive – if slow, said Mike Fruchter, director of digital strategy with High Impact Digital, a division of Pierson Grant. The disaster response website BP set up is adequate, he said, with up-to-date information, press releases, claims, response and agency contact information. A month after the spill, the company launched its social media campaign, he said, and reportedly has been spending $10,000 a day in Google AdWords.

“This is the type of transparency that BP should have demonstrated since day one – not after the fact. That’s a quick, effective and expensive way for them to get the sponsored positions on Google,” he said. “That’s a step in the right direction. For the most part, it seems orderly, transparent and efficient at getting information out to the public.”

BP’s Twitter presence has been “a mockery,” Fruchter said. BP’s official Twitter account has some 14,000 followers. A BP parody account has topped 150,000 followers. His overall grade: C-.

Source: Bizjournals.com

The City of Fort Lauderdale lives up to its nickname as “Yachting Capital of the World” as host to the more than 3 million square feet of space, both on land and in water, that the Boat Show will encompass. The show’s transportation network of bus shuttles, water taxis, and riverboats ensures attendees can easily navigate the city and its expansive waterways system.

The show spans five sites this year with exhibits ranging from yacht builders and designers to exotic cars and brokerage yachts. A wide variety of boats and sea vessels will be on display including runabouts, sportfishers, high performance boats, center consoles, cabin cruisers, express cruisers, sailing yachts, motor yachts, bowriders, catamarans, ski boats, jet boats, trawlers, inflatables, canoes, and extraordinary superyachts.

The Boat Show also will feature electronics, engines and thousands of marine products such as fishing equipment, dive gear, financing and insurance options, yachting accessories, nautical clothing, jewelry and more.

Other activities at the Boat Show include marine seminars and youth fishing clinics presented by Hook The Future, a non-profit organization. Attendees also can enjoy refreshments and live musical entertainment at the show’s floating cocktail barges and International Food Garden.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show® takes place this year at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, the Hall of Fame Marina, the Las Olas Municipal Marina, the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, and the Broward County Convention Center.

To purchase tickets to the 2010 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show®, please visit ShowManagement.com. Vendors interested in exhibiting at the Boat Show can call (954) 764-7642 or (800) 940-7642, or visit ShowManagement.com, for more information.

To make travel arrangements, please contact the Boat Show’s official travel partner, Identity Travel, at (866) 877-3083, or visit IdentityTravel.com.

2010 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show® Schedule and Ticket Info:

Show Hours
• Thursday, Oct. 28 (Prime Time Preview) 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 29 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 30 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 31 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 1 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission
• Prime Time Preview (Thursday, Oct. 28) $32.00
• General Admission (Adults) $16.00 online, $18.00 at show site
• Children (Ages 6-15) $3.00 online, $5.00 at show site
• Children (Under age 6) FREE
• Two-Day Ticket $32.00 online, $34.00 at show site

Onsite Box Office Locations
• Bahia Mar Yachting Center
• Las Olas Marina
• Broward County Convention Center

Additional Box Office Location
• Las Olas Riverfront

ABOUT THE FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW®:
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show® is owned and sponsored by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and managed and produced by Show Management. The 2010 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show® is presented by Intellian Technologies and co-sponsored by Yachts International, XM WX Weather Worx, Atlass Insurance Group, Budweiser, Seakeeper, The South Florida Sun Sentinel, The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, and Hook the Future. For more information, call (954) 764-7642 or (800) 940-7642, or visit ShowManagement.com.

The agency will be responsible for consumer and marine trade publicity for all four shows, including digital strategies utilizing web-based and social media platforms.

• The 51st Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show®, the world’s largest in-water show, encompassing more than 3 million square feet of space on land and in water, at five sites connected by the official Show Transportation Network, takes place October 28 – November 1, 2010.

• The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, the Gulf Coast’s largest boat show, takes place at the Progress Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park in St. Petersburg, Florida, from December 2-5, 2010.

• The Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach from February 17 – 21, 2011 transforms Collins Avenue from 41st to 51st Streets into a multi-million dollar presentation of yachts and superyachts for an in-water-only presentation covering more than 1.2 million square feet over a mile-long strip of Indian Creek Waterway, featuring over 500 new and pre-owned vessels.

• The 26th Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show, March 24-27, 2011, located along Flagler Drive, is one of the top ten boat shows in the country, featuring more than $350 million worth of boats, yachts and accessories from the world’s leading marine manufacturers.

“The marine industry is the most important economic asset of Florida’s coastal cities, and one of the most exciting industries in the world,” said agency President Jane Grant. “Pierson Grant is pleased to be playing a role in reaching out to boaters around the world and promoting these four outstanding boat shows.”

Over the past 16 years, Pierson Grant has grown into one of the top independent public relations agencies in the country. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale with a satellite office in Raleigh, North Carolina, the firm represents national and regional clients in a variety of industries, including International Dairy Queen, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Florida Career College, The Broward County Convention Center, Broward League of Cities, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Holy Cross Hospital and Sunbeam Development Corporation, among others. The agency’s Internet marketing division, High Impact Digital, specializes in creative online media applications including social networking and search engine optimization. For more information, visit piersongrant.com and highimpactdigital.com.

American Debt Counseling is calling on consumers in debt to submit a funny and creative video portraying how they would feel if they were suddenly debt free. Three winners will be selected. A grand prize of $5,000, a second place prize of $1,000 and a third place prize of $500 will be awarded in the form of direct payments toward winners’ existing credit card balances.

Alan Silverberg, founder and CEO of American Debt Counseling, a 501 © (3) not-for-profit credit counseling agency, said, “I am hopeful that our Here’s Me Debt Free campaign will inspire America’s consumers to imagine a life free from crushing credit card debt. Last year alone, our credit counselors helped clients pay off more than $37 million in credit card debt.”

Anyone 18 years or older living in the US with an excess of $500 in credit card debt is invited to use a camcorder, camera or mobile device to record and submit a video clip no longer than three minutes. Videos will be judged on originality, creativity, adherence to theme and number of page views generated.

The contest, which launches today, runs through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 31, 2010. Winning videos will be announced in September and available for online viewing at americandebtcounseling.org/heresmedebtfree and on the American Debt Counseling Facebook page.