Yacht Rendezvous 2013 Media

Private celebration launches The 26th Annual ShowBoats International Boys & Girls Club Rendezvous taking place November 21-23, 2013

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (October 12, 2013) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County hosted the Rendezvous VIP Kick-Off Event sponsored by The BB&T Center’s Club RED and Florida Panther’s President Michael Yormark. The private event launched the celebration of The 26th Annual ShowBoats International Boys & Girls Club Rendezvous is taking place in Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas on November 21-23, 2013. Event chairs Mike Busacca and Steven Mariano joined by more than 100 Boys & Girls Clubs supporters enjoyed cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale on October 9, 2013.

This year’s 26th Annual ShowBoats International Rendezvous has announced an extraordinary entertainment lineup including Kool & the Gang as the headlining performers for the Saturday Night Gala. Last year’s event was a smashing success with the most guests and yachts in attendance to date, and this year is again shaping up to be a truly memorable weekend for all those who attend.

“The ShowBoats International Rendezvous is all to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County and is the largest gathering of mega-yachts for charity in the world. The event has raised more than $30 million to date for our organization and the 12,000 at-risk youth it serves,” said Brian Quail, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.

Kool & the Gang are an American jazz, R&B, disco, soul and funk group, originally formed in 1964 as the Jazziacs based in Jersey City, New Jersey. Top hits include “Celebration,” “Big Fun,” “Get Down on It,” and “Joanna.” Their 1984 album Emergency yielded four top-20 pop hits, including “Fresh” and “Cherish.” The group has sold over 70 million albums worldwide.

According to Steven Mariano, Event Chair of the Annual ShowBoats International Boys & Girls Club Rendezvous, “We’re thrilled to return to the beautiful Atlantis resort and marina in the Bahamas. With a tremendous Saturday Night Gala featuring headlining entertainer Kool & the Gang, this is sure to be a truly incredible celebration – the biggest and best Rendezvous yet and a memorable weekend for those who attend, all for a much deserving cause.”

The deep-water Atlantis Marina where the most luxurious mega-yachts dock is capable of handling 63 yachts over 200 feet in length, making it the perfect venue for the 26th anniversary of the Rendezvous. With plenty of space to accommodate more mega-yachts, the 26th Annual ShowBoats International Boys & Girls Club Rendezvous is sure to be the most spectacular yachting event in history. As an added bonus there will be no cost for dockage and utilities will be half price during the Rendezvous, plus any boats that participate in the Rendezvous will be able to stay at the Atlantis Marina with dockage at half price anytime from October 1, 2013 to December 1, 2013.

The 26th Annual ShowBoats International Boys & Girls Club Rendezvous will include traditional weekend favorites such as the famed “Dine Around the Docks” Yacht Hop on Thursday evening at Atlantis Marina, where Rendezvous attendees go aboard the magnificent yachts and are treated to the ‘good life’ as yacht owners and captains do their best to out-do one another and truly impress their newly boarded guests. Island-inspired entertainment will be provided while guests mingle over cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres.

Friday will feature a poolside party at the Royal Deck, featuring gourmet food stations and live entertainment by Caliente. The weekend concludes with a gala dinner on Saturday where guests will be treated to a live performance by Kool & The Gang.

Guests of the 26th ShowBoats International Boys & Girls Club Rendezvous will have their choice of a variety of accommodations, or may also opt to spend the weekend on their yacht. Regardless of where guests choose to stay, they will enjoy full access to the wonders of the entire resort throughout the weekend, from spa retreats to gambling, world class golf and shopping. The weekend will also feature family fun activities during the days, including a fishing tournament, daytime yacht charters, a beach barbecue, and more.

For more information on how to attend the 26th Annual ShowBoats Boys & Girls Club International Rendezvous, please call (954) 537-1010 or visit www.YachtRendezvous.com. Sponsorship opportunities, donations and yacht entries are available on a range of levels including: Yacht entry under 80’ includes 4 tickets ($8,000); Yacht entry 81’ – 124’ includes 6 tickets ($12,000); Yacht entry 125’ – 149’ includes 8 tickets ($16,000); and Yacht entry 150’ and above includes 10 tickets ($20,000). Individual tickets are also available at $1,500 per person for the entire three days; guests do not need to register a yacht to attend.

Airfare via Bahamasair and accommodations at Atlantis’s many facilities will be offered to guests of the Rendezvous at special low rates. To make reservations for dockage and/or room accommodations, please contact Atlantis at 800-Atlantis or visit www.atlantis.com/myevent/asir.aspx.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County (BGCBC) is a non-profit 501(c) (3) private agency, dedicated to helping young people improve their lives by building self-esteem and developing values and skills during their critical period of growth. Serving more than 12,000 at-risk youth, ages 6-18 each year from its 12 Broward County-area clubs, their purpose is to inspire and enable children to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Chosen as the #1 youth agency in the country three years in a row by The Chronicle of Philanthropy and one of the best run non-profit agencies in a study by Fortune 500, BGCBC keeps 98 percent of all raised funds in Broward County. Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County is located at 877 NW 61st Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. For more information please call (954) 537-1010 or view the website at www.bgcbc.org.

Club RED is a 12,000+ sq. ft. ultra-premium and exclusive lounge for members, who receive dedicated tickets to all concerts, shows and events at BB&T Center along with center ice tickets to all pre-season and regular season Florida Panthers hockey games. Features include VIP valet parking with a personalized parking spot for all games, concerts, shows and events; private Club RED BB&T Center entrance and early access privileges; customized name plate on your Club RED member seat; private Club RED restrooms for members only; game day visits to Club RED from Panthers ownership, players, alumni or the Redline Lady Panthers with commemorative photos for member; complimentary issues of RED LINE game day program; annual Club RED member commemorative gift; Club RED concierge to assist with game, event, and other accommodations; multiple HD flat screens providing NHL Center Ice package and local cable programming; Wi-Fi capability with business services; all-inclusive superior cuisine offerings consisting of hot & cold hors d’oeuvres, entrée selections, chef-supervised carving and action stations, along with assorted desserts; all-inclusive full-service bar providing hand selected wines, premium beers and ales, and assorted soft drinks; cash bar offering premium spirits; and dedicated VIP service for all food and beverage needs. Limited Club RED memberships are still available. For more information, please call Shawn Kuzmin at 954-835-7277 or visit www.clubred360.com.