I-X Center to reopen with Cleveland Boat Show and Fishing Expo in January 2022

The International Exposition Center is scheduled to reopen with the Progressive Cleveland Boat Show & Fishing Expo in January 2022.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio – The reopening of the International Exposition Center will feature the 65th Progressive Cleveland Boat Show & Fishing Expo in January 2022.

“The boat show was the first public show held in the I-X when it opened in 1986, and we’re excited to bring the show back after a year’s absence,” said Michelle Burke, president of the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association, in a release.

Over the years, the cavernous convention center allowed the show to become the largest of its kind in Ohio, organizers said. The last boat show in the building was in early 2020, not long before the facility was closed to shows because of the coronavirus pandemic.

One of the Boat Show’s popular attractions, the Fishing Expo, is expected to return. Organizers said it treated anglers to a massive collection of fishing-gear exhibits and on-stage presentations.

Live entertainment for all ages will be expanded, including the return of the popular “Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel” show, musical entertainers, educational seminars, hands-on simulators and more.

Hundreds of crafts – power boats, sailboats, inflatable paddleboards and motor yachts - will be available for attendees to climb aboard and check out. Also, 200 exhibits focusing on accessories will be set up.

Additional I-X Center shows and attractions are planned for 2022.

Industrial Realty Group, one of the country’s largest owners of commercial and industrial properties, announced Wednesday it will purchase the stock in the I-X Center Corp. from that company’s parent, Park Corporation, which had operated the I-X Center for 35 years.

IRG said it was preparing the main hall in the I-X Center for events, with promoters to market trade show events such as Boat Show & Fishing Expo, the Cleveland Auto Show, the Great Big Home + Garden Show, the Ohio RV Supershow, Cleveland Christmas Connection and I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama Show.

After IRG’s announcement Wednesday, other show promoters began announcing their plans to return to the I-X Center.

The Great Big Home + Garden Show will take place at the venue Feb. 11-22, 2022. The Cleveland Auto Show announced Wednesday it will return to the center to hold its 2022 show from February 25 to March 6.

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