One reason the marine industry is one of the most important industry sectors in Martin County is because fishing and boating are in its DNA.
Before Stuart caught the world’s attention with the moniker The Sailfish Capital of the World in 1957, sport fishermen and women came to Stuart and the surrounding areas to enjoy the pristine waterways teeming with fish. And long before that, talented yachtsmen and boatbuilders found a harbor here to build some of the world’s sports fishing boats.
Since then, Martin County has become synonymous with world-class sportfishing, from the early pioneers like Whiticar and Evinrude to the new trailblazers like Billy Knowles, Jim Smith, Dominick LaCombe, and Mark Willis.
The other reason industry is vitally important to the area is its economic impact. According to the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast, the statewide economic impact of the marine industry is more than $31 billion and supports more than 100,000 jobs.
“The marine industry’s estimated economic impact in Martin County is $1.2 billion and employs about 10,000 people. These numbers have continued to tick upward through the years and forecasts indicate this trend is likely to continue,” says Justin Beard, executive director of the MIATC.
Representing more than 130 businesses that are either based here or have significant business interests on the Treasure Coast. Each with its own unique needs, all of them are united in that workforce development and training are critically important for the future of our industry. Since being chartered in 1974, the MIATC has had one mission: to promote, protect, and grow the local marine industry. 50 years later, the mission is the same, but the annual boat show has grown exponentially.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Annual Stuart Boat Show January 12-14, 2023, will unveil a brand-new layout, which has added 12,000 square feet, more than 200 exhibitors, a floating bar, and even a detour experience to the Bahamas- an immersive experience to transcend boaters. The Stuart Boat Show isn’t just an event; long the lifeblood of the marine industry, it’s a family-friendly outdoor spectacle that has earned its place among the top 20 events in the Southeast and showcases a sector that has put Stuart, Martin County, on the map as a world-class place to do marine business.
