Progressive Metro Boat Show 2026
Event Date
September 17–20, 2026
Location
Harrison Charter Township, MI
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe Progressive Metro Boat Show is Michigan's premier late-summer, on-the-water boat show, held outdoors along Lake St. Clair at Lake St. Clair Metropark in Harrison Charter Township. The show features hundreds of boats displayed both on-land and in-water, ranging from 10 to 50 feet, including cruisers, center console fishing boats, runabouts, yachts, pontoon boats, sailboats, personal watercraft, and aluminum fishing boats. Marinas, dockage, canvas, electronics, and other boating-related exhibits round out the marketplace.
The event draws more than 10,000 people over four days, attracting outdoor-minded consumers and boat buyers from across southeast Michigan and Canada. Waterfront living exhibits, fishing features, ATVs, SUPs, kayaks, and other outdoor displays make it a broad recreational marketplace.
Beyond shopping, the show delivers a festival atmosphere with live music, a Tiki Bar, craft beer, food trucks, lawn games, and a Kids Zone. Produced by the Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA)—an organization with more than 63 years of boat show experience—it's a must-attend for anyone exploring the boating lifestyle.
Show Highlights
Signature features of the Metro Boat Show include:
- Live Music at the Tiki Bar — bands perform throughout the show for a festival atmosphere.
- Boat Show Bars — the North Bar and Tiki Bar feature Michigan craft beers, hard cider, brews on tap, wines, coolers, soda, and water.
- Lawn Games — Hook and Ring Toss, Bags (cornhole), and Giant Jenga.
- Food Truck Line-Up — vendors include Motor City Street Treats, Crusty Digglers Pizza, Deer Camp Cafe, Old Dads BBQ, Surcee, and Simple Adventures.
- Trolley Service — complimentary rides from the parking lot to the show entrance during show hours.
- Kids Zone — water fun, kids crafts (Friday-Sunday), lawn games, and RC boats.
- Sustainability booth — offering free t-shirts to promote #CleanDrainDry awareness of Aquatic Invasive Species.
- Progressive interactive photo booth — plus a free Progressive tote for attendees.
Boats on display span 10 to 50 feet, including cruisers, center consoles, runabouts, yachts, pontoons, sailboats, and personal watercraft.
Attendance
The show draws more than 10,000 people over its four days. According to the organizer's exhibitor information, nearly 50% of attendees have household incomes over $100,000, 43% are in the prime 35-54 age range, 56% own a boat, and 61% plan to purchase a boat. Attendees come from surrounding counties and Canada; Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland counties have the highest number of boats per capita in Michigan, with more than 200,000 registered boats on file.
Registration
Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door:
- Advance tickets: $10 (on the show website)
- At the door: $15
- Children 12 & under: FREE with an adult
- Active Military and First Responders (Police, Fire & EMT): One free admission with proper identification
Buying tickets in advance saves time in line—show them on your cell phone or print them. The Metro Boat Show only accepts US currency. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are permitted. Note that for the 2026 show, the official ticket link was listed as "coming soon" at the time of research.
History
The Metro Boat Show is produced by the Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA), which brings more than 63 years of professional boat show production experience. It is one of three boat shows produced by the MBIA, alongside the Novi Boat Show and the Detroit Boat Show. The event is presented in partnership with title sponsor Progressive Insurance and takes place at Lake St. Clair Metropark. A specific founding year for the Metro Boat Show is not published on the official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 Progressive Metro Boat Show?
The show runs September 17-20, 2026 at Lake St. Clair Metropark, 31300 Metro Pkwy, Harrison Charter Township, MI 48045. Show hours are Thursday and Friday 1pm-7:30pm, Saturday 11am-7:30pm, and Sunday 11am-6pm.
How much are tickets and how do I buy them?
Advance tickets are $10 on the show website, or $15 at the door. Children 12 and under are free with an adult, and active military and first responders receive one free admission with proper identification.
How much does parking cost?
Parking is $10, or free with an annual Metroparks pass. Complimentary trolley service runs throughout the parking lot to the show entrance during show hours.
What can I see and do at the show?
The show features hundreds of boats from 10 to 50 feet displayed on land and in the water, plus marinas, electronics, and outdoor gear. Attractions include live music at the Tiki Bar, craft beer, food trucks, lawn games, and a Kids Zone.
What hotel is recommended for exhibitors and visitors?
The official show hotel is the Hampton Inn & Suites Detroit/Chesterfield at 45725 Marketplace Blvd, Chesterfield, MI, less than 15 minutes from the park. A group rate of $144.00 plus tax was offered for 2026 with a booking deadline of August 31, 2026.
From the blog
Recent guides and industry insights for exhibitors and planners.
August 6, 2026Trade Show Lead Capture: What Actually Works
Why scan counts mislead, the three questions that qualify a visitor in thirty seconds, and the 48-hour follow-up window where trade show ROI is won or lost.
Read more
July 30, 2026Drayage Explained: The Trade Show Cost Nobody Warns You About
What material handling actually pays for, why it is billed per hundredweight, the surcharges that double estimates, and six decisions that genuinely reduce it.
Read more
July 23, 2026How to Choose the Right Trade Show for Your Business
Attendance numbers are close to useless on their own. Five questions that tell you whether a show will work, and how to build a portfolio instead of a list.
Read more
July 16, 2026The 12-Month Trade Show Planning Timeline
Every deadline that matters, counted backwards from show open — including the advance-order deadline that saves 20–40% and the 48-hour window that decides your ROI.
Read more
July 9, 2026Trade Show Booth Sizes Explained: 10x10 to Island
What each booth size actually gives you, the height and setback rules that catch first-timers, and how to size a booth from your staffing rather than your budget.
Read more
July 2, 2026What Does It Actually Cost to Exhibit at a Trade Show?
A line-by-line breakdown of the nine costs of exhibiting — including drayage and staff time, the two that blow up budgets and never appear in the quote.
Read more
June 10, 2026Top Trade Shows in Las Vegas in 2026
A guide to the biggest trade shows and exhibitor opportunities in Las Vegas through 2026 — dates, industries, exhibitor counts, and what each show is best for.
Read more- September 2, 2025tradeshows.fyi
Trade Shows Demystified: Your Ultimate Guide to Exhibiting, Attending, and Everything in Between
Introduction to Trade Shows Trade shows serve as significant events in various sectors, acting as a focal point
Read on tradeshows.fyi 
November 14, 2024tradeshows.fyi10 Essential Tips for Successfully Attending Trade Shows
10 Essential Tips for Attending Trade Shows Attending trade shows offers a unique platform to showcase products, network,
Read on tradeshows.fyi- November 13, 2024tradeshows.fyi
The Ultimate Trade Show Exhibitor Checklist: Planning, Preparation, and Execution
Trade Show Exhibiting Checklist Trade shows present a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products, network with
Read on tradeshows.fyi
Advertisement