West Palm Beach may do without its major boat show in 2020, as the Palm Beach International Boat Show has again been postponed, this time indefinitely.
The show, a major event for the area's hotels, restaurants and other tourism businesses, was originally planned for late March but had been rescheduled for May 14 to 17, prior to this latest announcement.
"In the show's 35-year history, we have never dealt with a situation such as this," Andrew Doole, president of Informa Markets U.S. Boat Shows, and George Gentile, president of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, said in a joint statement. They said the safety and well-being of staff, exhibitors, partners and attendees remains the primary concern.
Doole didn't rule out another set of 2020 dates and said an update on the show's status would be issued on April 17.
Organizers said that OnPeak, the show's official housing provider, has canceled all hotel reservations, and refunds will be issued. They said to contact the hotel directly to reinstate a reservation or with any other questions regarding reservations.