MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 19, 2011) - The 2012 Progressive Insurance Minneapolis Boat Show is celebrating its 40th anniversary at the Minneapolis Convention Center with new attractions to provide show goers a chance to experience the boating lifestyle and enjoy on-the-water fun in the dead of winter. For the first time in its history, and in the Midwest, the 2012 show is introducing the Marina & Yacht Club a unique virtual boating experience featuring boats and marine equipment as they were meant to be experienced, in the water.

Visitors to the Progressive Insurance Minneapolis Boat Show will forget about the snow outside while browsing this fully landscaped, 10,000 square foot indoor marina and yacht club located inside the convention center. The exhibit features a lifelike setting complete with water, docks, a lift, trees, and boats for every lifestyle and budget, including some of the largest vessels on display.

Marina & Yacht Club visitors can enjoy live music from Jambo Joe Bones and order something to eat or drink from Minneapolis Seven Sushi & Steakhouse. The Marina & Yacht Club also includes a play area where kids can romp while parents relax after a fun-filled day shopping the exhibits, getting educated at dozens of free seminars, and enjoying the other features at the show. The Progressive Insurance Minneapolis Boat Show is 25 percent larger in 2012, so a little R &R might be just what attendees need.

In addition to the Marina & Yacht Club Experience, visitors to the boat show will find hundreds of boats, marine gadgets and accessories for every budget and lifestyle, and have the unique opportunity to view, board and shop models and brands side by side while taking advantage of exclusive show specials and the seasons best deals, plus summer fun for the entire family.

Show Details

When: Thursday Sunday, January 19-22, 2012

Thursday and Friday, January 19,20 12:00-9:00p.m.

Saturday, January 21 10:00a.m.-9:00p.m.

Sunday, January 22 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.

Where: Minneapolis Convention Center

1301 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.MinneapolisBoatShow.com or onsite the day of the show. Cost for tickets:

Adults (16 and older): $10.00

Youth (15 and under): FREE with paid adult

Active Military: FREE - present military ID at the box office onsite

Web: MinneapolisBoatShow.com; www.twitter.com/MPLSBoatShow; find us on Facebook.

Media Contact: Bonnie Harris

612-801-0912 or harris@waxmarketing.com

About the Progressive Insurance Minneapolis Boat Show: The 40th annual Progressive Insurance Minneapolis Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the worlds largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit www.nmma.org.

About Progressive

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies is a leader in boat insurance and the largest seller of personal watercraft insurance in the U.S. It offers flexible, year-round coverage so boaters can go wherever they choose, whenever they choose and have peace of mind theyre protected. Specialty coverages which vary by state include On-Water Towing, Roadside Assistance, Personal Effects, Total Loss Replacement, and Pet Injury.