The New York City Concours is set to make waves this year when it debuts at the Palm Beach International Boat Show Friday night.
They recently unveiled the hottest ticket in town this year - an exclusive VIP event that will feature everything from a premium open bar with gourmet food to early entry to the boat show.
“We want to hold this event annually starting next year,” Maria Jannace, chief executive officer and founder of the Cars & Culture Concours Series, which includes The New York City Concours and Fort Lauderdale Concours, told us in a recent phone interview. “This is our trial run, and there has been quite a good buzz already.”
The Windward VIP Experience offers a unique opportunity to bring together boating enthusiasts with auto aficionados. The event is being held Friday night from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
“The Palm Beach event on Friday is going to be an exclusive preview event with Lotus as the sponsor,” she said. “They will be bringing their new sports car Emira and there will be a dozen other showstoppers. This year will really be more of a three-hour cocktail party since it’s a preview of what’s to come next year. There will be a performance by the Valerie Tyson Band, and an art gallery curated by Vincent Peters.”
After founding her advertising and sports management company, Maxim Creative Group and Maxim Sports Management, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale in the late 80s, Jannace brought on clients like the Florida Marlins, Miami Dolphins and Florida Panthers. Now in New York City, her passion remains in making the classic and collector car hobby more inclusive to a diverse audience.
“Palm Beach has a lot of high-end events, but what I do is very different,” Jannace said. “We want to make this event more attractive to a younger, diverse audience because what is going to happen to classic cars if younger people are not interested in them? What we do in New York has proven that people want this. I want to reinvigorate your desire to attend one of these events.”
The Windward VIP Experience also includes one-day general admission access to the Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary Art Fair that coincides with the Palm Beach International Boat Show.
The Windward VIP Club is being held at the Lakeside Pavilion on Flagler Drive. For more information or to buy tickets, click here.
The New York City Concours is being held on September 16 on the rooftop at Pier 17. The Fort Lauderdale Concours will be held in the Superyacht Village in collaboration with the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on October 27.
