Costa Sunglasses has partnered with the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show, presented by West Marine, to promote conservation and educate anglers and boaters about marine-resource protection in a Costa Conservation Village at the show site. The Miami boat show runs Feb. 14-18 at the Miami Marine Stadium.
The village will feature exhibits by more than a dozen conservation leaders including The Billfish Foundation, Captains for Clean Water, and Bonefish Tarpon Trust as well as state and federal government entities. South Florida marine artist and angler Coastal Kristen will make daily appearances.
As a part of the effort to reduce plastic use and to raise awareness, the boat show will join Costa’s Kick Plastic initiative, placing filtered-water stations at key points around the show. Costa will offer reusable water containers for sale — 24-ounce aluminum water bottles for $10 — to help reduce the amount of plastic used at the show. Attendees who purchase a Kick Plastic bottle will receive a free gift from Costa at the Conservation Village.
“The Miami Boat Show’s commitment to conservation with the Costa Conservation Village and their efforts, as an industry leader, to Kick Plastic are a big step in helping raise awareness for the issues facing our watery world,” says Andrew Cox, offshore community leader for Costa. “Costa believes it’s our responsibility to protect and preserve our oceans and waterways, a pillar that ties directly to our brand mission, and we’re proud to have industry partners like the Miami Boat Show helping in those efforts.”
Additional conservation initiatives at the show include:
- The boat show has eliminated plastic straws.
- Concessions are introducing a new line of disposables for ‘grab and go’ items that are recyclable and compostable.
- There will be zero Styrofoam on the premises (for the third year in a row).
- Renewable and plant-based coffee cups, sleeves, and recyclable lids will be used throughout the show.
- The boat show is removing the use of hard plastic utensils from the docks and VIP Lounge, replaced with Green Ware Products utensils.
- The boat show is eliminating the printing of official show press materials and transitioning exclusively to digital.
