The History of and Evolution of the Houston Boat Show
According to the Houston timeline, Houston started on August 30th 1836 just months after Texas won its independence from Mexico. This was at the battle of San Jacinto. Two brothers, John Kirby Allen and Augustus Chapman Allen founded the city. They bought over 660 acres of land on the banks of Buffalo Bayou. They intended to start a new town. With an investment of less than 10,000 dollars, they became the forefathers of Houston. Its proximity to the Buffalo Bayou made it become a fishing center. Fishing was the main activity that took place there. People used all means to get fish, and as the fish moved away from the land, so did the people come up with ways to go get the fish. This made the area become filled with all kinds of fishing boats. Some boats were small, while others were big. Soon the town became overrun by boats. This is what led to the introduction of the Houston Boat Show. This show was held annually in Houston. It became the center of attraction and the culture of the residents of Houston.
The Houston Boat Show became a large event and attracted people from all over the world. People wanted to come and experience the thrill of seeing many boats of all kinds and sizes. As a result of many people coming to attend the show, the port of Houston opened up and was used to dock ships that brought people to the event. This made the city grow because of the investment and the money collected from the boat show.
The boat show also grew, and more boats were brought to the show. The show made it possible for people from all over the world to come see, touch compare prices and features with other boat owners. People also came to talk with experts about the new advancements in boat technology. The expansion and growth of the Houston boat show has seen it change venues over the years. Some of the venues where it has been held include the Coliseum, Astrodome, Astrohall, and the NRG center.
Over the years, the boat show has expanded to include other recreational vehicles and campers. The show has grown to accommodate all kinds of fishing vessels, over 400 marine dealers, boating equipment, fishing guides, outfitters, and fishing tackle manufacturers and businesses display their products at the boat show. Currently, the boat show houses over 1000 boats that are brought here. It has become a great place for one to experience the new technology incorporated in the marine industry. This includes boat hulls, motors, electronics, RVs, and fishing tackle. The boat show lasts for ten days allowing one to have a great opportunity to engage with the experts and explore the boats available. For people who want to purchase a boat, there are plenty of boat dealers who are available at the show.
The Houston boat show has seen the evolution of boats in great lengths. It was started when the boats were rowed by oars. It has seen the evolution of boats from oars to steam engines to electric motors. It has also seen the evolution of boats in terms of sizes. Boats have grown larger over the years. From carrying one person to over a hundred people in one boat. The materials and motors have changed drastically over the years improving the lifespan and safety of the boats. The Houston boat show has shown people the various technologies that have been implemented into the boats. Boating experts at the show educate people on boat technology and the best technology suited for one’s boat. When the boat show started, there were relatively few boat styles. Over the years, more boat styles were introduced. The boat styles include boats whose hulls have been purposed to run in shallow water and open water, bass boats and pontoon boats.
Importance of the Houston boat show
The Houston Boat show has brought about many advantages to the people of Houston and Texas.
Tourism
In the opinion of houstonboatshows.com Houston is ranked among the most popular cities in Texas for recreational boating. Many lakes and waterways surround the city provide a phenomenal boating lifestyle.
People all over the world have been traveling to attend this great event. The growth and expansion of the boat show made it become popular all over the world. People wanted to come and witness the wonders brought about by boats. This opened up Houston to more people. More and more people traveled to attend the show. This led to an increase in tourism in the town of Houston. Tourism meant that more revenue would be collected. The revenue was and is used to build infrastructures such as roads, hospitals, schools, and hospitals. The revenue collected was also used to grow the Houston boat show.
Funding for the show was found, and more stalls were put up. This allowed more boats to be brought in. When people visited the boat show, they buy tickets. The proceedings collected are also taken back to the show. This provides money to pay the workers there. It also provides finances that were used to expand the boat show. The funds are also used when a venue is hired and provides the money to pay for it. The money collected by selling tickets and booths inside the show is significant. This has allowed the show to continue being held annually.
Education
The Houston Boat show has offered education to many people over the years. People came to learn about boats. The show brings experts from all over the world who specialize in boats. The experts train people about maintenance, technology, and all kinds of boats. They also offer advice to people who want to buy boats. They advise people on the best type and size of boat to purchase depending on the purpose it is intended for. The experts also offer solutions to problems encountered by boat owners on their boats. They also advise attendees on the best places to purchase boats and where quality and affordable parts can be found in case of breakdowns. The Houston boat show also provide funds that are used in the construction of schools in Houston. The surplus money that remains after people buy tickets and from the booths is used to construct and improve the schools in Houston. This makes sure that education is available to everyone.
Bring people together
People come from all over the world to attend the Houston boat show. People from all races want to attend this event. It has gained popularity over the years. As people attend the show, they interact with each other. This improves the community and makes the world a smaller place. In those 10 days of the show, people learn a lot from others. This has led to the diversification of the city. Bringing people together also offers the possibility of intermarriages between people.
City development
The Houston Boat show has contributed to the development of Houston city. As many people attend the event every year, so does the need for places to stay arise. This has led to an increase in hotels in the area. The Houston boat show increased investment in the city, making it become one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. It has opened up the city to the outside and transport by means of air, water and road is common. More boat shops have been set up in the area over the years. Therefore, boat owners do not lack spare parts for any boat.
Trade
The Houston Boat show generally increased the trade in the area. When Houston town was starting, its main food was fish that was caught from the lake. This was also the main commodity of trade between the people. When the boat show was started, Houston opened up to the world, and more goods were now available for trade. The city grew, and more revenue was collected from the trade. They decided to include stalls in the boat show. The stalls provided an opportunity for people all over to come with what they can find and trade it with others at the boat show. The stalls also helped generate money that was used to pay the workers and hire venues for the events. Trade was also promoted when people who were in search of boats bought from the boat show. The show offers a platform for all kinds of boats to be bought and to be sold and purchased.
The Houston Boat show has grown to cater to all kinds of people, whether young or old. It also introduced a kid zone. This is where kids can play and relax while the adults deal with the boat stuff. The kid zone houses different kinds of toys and snacks that children enjoy. The kids are also taught skills such as fishing. They also learn about the importance of maintaining boats in their best condition and what to look for when buying boats. This ensures that kids are not left out in learning about the importance of boats. It makes sure that even as the kids grow up, they adopt a culture of attending the boat show and bringing their young ones together with them.
According to Chron, this year marked the 65th year since the event was started in Houston. It has grown larger and features over 15000 boats and RVs. The event takes a space of over 700000 square feet to exhibit all the boats present. The event provides hundreds of industry experts who help one on boats, special deals on boats, and family activities. Events such as the Kid’s Build-A-Boat, the 4000-gallon Bass Tub, and a craft beer garden are some of the activities that will spice up the show this year. Houston has partnered with many companies and entities to make this event successful and bigger than the previous year. Awards are offered for different kinds, makes, and maintenance of boats. This makes people more enthusiastic about the events and attend them more.
The Houston boat show also offers a daily series of seminars. These seminars offer insight into freshwater and saltwater fishing, boating equipment, boating skills, camping, and recreational vehicles. It offers teaching from fishing guides, boats, and motor experts who attended the show. The popularity of the Boat show between the attendees and the exhibitors show how a lot of people enjoy boating and fishing and how the area’s economy greatly relies on this practice. Exhibition spaces get filled up very fast, and thus they have a waiting list of exhibitors who want to showcase their boats.
According to Chron, over the past 30 years, interest in saltwater fishing has greatly increase over freshwater fishing. In the 2015 Houston Boat Show, there was an increase of boats, marine equipment and fishing tackles designed for inshore boating and angling. This reflected the people’s rise in interest in saltwater fishing. Electronics that are boating-related have also become important and an essential part in boats. There is the use of GPS in boats to guide one on where to fish, sonar mapping to help locate the fish, the speed they are moving with and the temperature of the water. Several companies that specialize in these high-tech boating electronics have set up booths in the show. They educate owners and install for them the proper equipment that will make their work simpler and enjoyable.
The Houston Boat show was a major event back in the days when it started and is still growing to date. It has undergone many changes all which aim to make the event better and educative. The event will remain one of the largest indoor recreational activities that aim to teach people more about boats. It helps people learn more about their boats, including changes and technology that is taking place. It is by great a good place to meet new people who share the same interests and enjoy one’s summer.