Blue Wild Ocean Adventure and Marine Art Expo Set for April 23-24

Florida’s only consumer water sports event to feature exhibits, demos and marine art

FORT LAUDERDALE,  Fla. (March 3, 2016) – The 9th annual Blue Wild Ocean Adventure and Marine Art Expo is set to take place at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center from April 23 to 24, 2016.  

Spanning more than 65,000 square feet and featuring more than 150 exhibitors, the interactive Expo will include seminars and demonstrations covering watersports such as freediving, spearfishing, SUP, surf, scuba, and underwater photography and videography.  Additional exhibits include adventure travel, beachwear fashion shows, water toys by Nautical Ventures, and a Contender Boats display.

This year’s event includes an indoor pool where guests can try out new water toys and take part in professional demonstrations including breath-hold techniques, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), yoga, and kayaking.  The Kids Corner will include many free activities including marine-themed face painting, marine art classes and bean bag throws. 

New speakers will cover spearfishing, surfing and underwater photography techniques.  Returning favorites include Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Stan Waterman, outdoorsman and TV star Manny Puig, and Rescue Swimmers from the USCG.

The Expo boasts one of the most extensive marine art and photo exhibits in the country.  Marine artists include Carey Chen, Pascal Lecocq, Randall Scott, Steve Ozment, Craig Dietrich, Don Ray, K.C. Scott, and Manny Puig.  The South Florida Underwater Photography Society (SFUPS) will display works from accomplished club members.

Visit TheBlueWild.com to learn more about the 2016 Blue Wild Photo/Video Contest, sponsored by Force-E and SFUPS.  Winning entries will be on display and announced on Saturday at 5:30 pm. 

“We strive to offer an exciting atmosphere where ocean lovers can see the latest products, get great deals, listen to the best speakers, and meet other watersport enthusiasts,” said Sheri Daye, the event’s producer. “We’re entering our ninth year and this is our biggest and most exciting show yet.”

Admission is $25 at the door.  Kids 12 and under are free.  Admission includes entry to the Saturday night Blue Wild After Party at the Courtyard Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach where guests can mingle with industry experts and celebrities and enjoy music, BBQ and happy hour prices all night.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The Blue Wild After Party is from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m.  For more information please visit TheBlueWild.com.  “Like” The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo on Facebook at Facebook/TheBlueWild on Instagram/the_blue_wild and on Twitter @TheBlueWildExpo.

###