Minneapolis Boat Show This Weekend

Longtime Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Dealer, Minnesota Inboard (@MNInboard) is a big attraction at the Minneapolis Boat Show (@MPLSBoatShow) January 20-24, 2010 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Check out this video and article recently posted on KARE11.com the NBC affiliate serving Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Selling expensive summer toys in the dead of winter can be difficult. Selling higher end luxury products in this economy can also be a bit of a challenge. Boat vendors packed into the Minneapolis Convention center say they're up to the task.

"I think we all need a taste of summer, as we say its 70 degrees and summer (in here)," Show Manager Jennifer Thompson said with a smile.

But according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, boat sales were down 30% last year. Even this year's boat show is smaller. In years past its boasted 400,000 square feet of boats on display; this year it is down to 300,000. "We're slightly smaller this year, kind of predicting that dealers would scale back a little given the past year's economy," Thompson explained.

"We get pretty fired up," Matt Mueller of Minnesota Inboard Water Sports said. Mueller is a Malibu vendor and he says starting late last fall, interest in buying started to pick up. This weekend's show is big for the family business. "We definitely use it as a gage. The leads we generate here give us a pretty good idea of what to expect for the rest of the season; how many boats to order. It really is kind of the kick off to the season for us,"

Read more on KARE11.com.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Minnesota Inboard | Minneapolis Boat Show | Matt Mueller | KARE11 | NBC | boat show video

Brian Grubb on Fuel TV's Firsthand

16 action-sports athletes including Team Malibu Boats Pro Wakeskater Brian Grubb (@BrianKGrubb) will be featured in the new season of Fuel TV’s Firsthand. Grubb's episode airs on Sunday, November 22 at 8:00pm EST and 5:00pm PST.

Grubb has traveled across the United States wakeskating behind Malibu boats (@MalibuBoats) and living life in front of the Firsthand cameras. We caught up with Grubb in Portland at WakeJam as he just finished filming a segment for the show at Radar Lake. from there he and camera crew traveled up to Sea Fair in Seattle, WA and then on to the Malibu Pro Team Challenge for more filming. Grubb also traveled to Lake Tahoe, CA to capture more riding for the show and the list goes on. We can't wait to see his Firsthand episode on November 22.

FUEL TV’s original series Firsthand brings you up close and personal with today’s top action sports athletes. Follow along as they span the globe in search of untracked powder, concrete bowls, and perfect waves. In a super-sized Season 11, catch a personal look at the lives of Mike Mo Capaldi, Mat Rebeaud, Damien Hobgood, Lance Mountain, Ryan Nyquist, Brian Grubb and many more.

“FUEL TV’s viewers love watching Firsthand because they get a chance to know the athletes on a personal level and not in the typical professional interaction,” says Scott Paridon, FUEL TV vice of production and development. “In the new season, Firsthand will cover top names like surfer Damien Hobgood, legendary skater Lance Mountain, BMX legend Ryan Nyquist, and motocross champion Chad Reed. This exciting new season gives the viewers a detailed and diverse look at the athlete’s lives as they travel around the world.”

Firsthand Season 11 Schedule:
Damien Hobgood 10/11/2009
Kerry Getz 10/18/2009
Keala Kennelly 10/25/2009
Torey Pudwill 11/1/2009
Will Tant 11/8/2009
Ryan Nyquist 11/15/2009
Brian Grubb 11/22/2009
Marie-France Roy 11/29/2009
Craig Mast 12/6/2009
Alex Gray 12/13/2009
Mike Mo Capaldi 12/20/2009
Anthony Napolitan 12/27/2009
Laura Hadar 01/03/2009
Chad Reed 01/10/09

Tags: Malibu Boats | Fuel TV | Firsthand | Brian Grubb | wakeskating | wakeskate | TV show | Action Sports | Chad Reed | wakeskate boat |