Media Advisory: LARGEST INDOOR SAILBOAT SHOW ON EAST COAST OPENS IN ATLANTIC CITY ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 15

 
Media Advisory: LARGEST INDOOR SAILBOAT SHOW ON EAST COAST OPENS IN ATLANTIC CITY ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2004

WHAT:
Atlantic SAIL EXPO 2004 is a four-day festival of sailing where showgoers can climb aboard sailboats, meet experts and sailing celebrities, socialize with other sailing enthusiasts, and take part in informative seminars and workshops. Now in its 12th year, Atlantic SAIL EXPO 2004 is the East Coast`s largest indoor display of sailboats and equipment.

WHEN:
Thursday, January 15 to Sunday, January 18, 2004

WHERE:
Atlantic City Convention Center (One Ocean Way, Atlantic City, N.J.) _____________________________________________________________________

ATTRACTIONS FOR ALL LEVELS, ALL AGES: Atlantic SAIL EXPO (ASE) includes attractions all levels: from cruisers ready to cross oceans to those who have never stepped foot on a sailboat before. The show features some 100 seminars on a wide range of topics lead by notable experts. Voyagers who spend their lives exploring the world under sail travel to the show each year to educate others who dream of someday doing the same. A special day-long session for beginners called Learn to Sail in a Day will be held on Saturday, January 17 (pre-registration is required; call 1-800-221-4326).

An indoor sailing pool will be a center of activity for all ages. Showgoers can sharpen their skill racing remote-control model boats powered by breeze from wind-generating fans. Young sailing enthusiasts can head to the indoor pool on the weekend days and join the fun at the Kids Club, an activity area where
children can build and race model boats.

THE LARGEST SAIL EXPO PRIZE GIVEAWAY: Show organizers added new excitement to the show this year with a prize giveaway worth tens of thousands of dollars. Prizes will be awarded daily and include sailboats produced by Hunter Marine and Hobie Cat; a Yanmar 18-horsepower diesel engine; Caribbean sailing vacations with The Moorings and Sunsail; learn-to-sail vacations and keelboat courses with Offshore Sailing School, Baysail School and Charters and New Jersey Sailing School; and other prizes such as magazine subscriptions, nautical jewelry, and more. The largest prize is the Hunter 216, a 21-foot sailboat worth nearly $14,000. Showgoers need to sign up at the show for the drawing (for more information, visit www.sailamerica.com/prizerules).

BOATS AND EXHIBITORS: Exhibitors from Europe, Canada, and throughout the United States will bring the East Coast`s largest indoor collection of sailing gear and equipment to Atlantic City. Boats on display will range from small one-person dinghies to large cruising boats equipped for offshore voyaging. Some 200 exhibitors return to this show each year.

SPONSORS, SHOW PRODUCERS: Atlantic SAIL EXPO is co-produced by Sail America and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Sail America also runs Discover Sailing, a national introduction-to-sailing program, and six sailboat shows held each year throughout the United States. Atlantic SAIL EXPO is sponsored by BoatTraderOnline, West Marine, Yanmar Marine, and New Jersey Transit.

SHOW HOURS:
Thursday, January 15 - 11 am to 5 pm
Friday, January 16 - 10 am to 7 pm
Saturday, January 17 - 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday, January 18 - 10 am to 5 pm

TICKETS: Adult weekday tickets are $12; adult weekend tickets are $15; children ages 6-12 are $5 (all days). Showgoers can purchase tickets in advance at a 20-percent discount at www.sailamerica.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.sailamerica.com or 1-800-817-SAIL (7245).

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Cynthia Goss / ASE 2004 public relations
203-453-2731
203-430-4145 (week of January 12)

Scot West / Executive Director, Sail America
401-841-0900, ext 12.
401-4