St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show Map, 2024

2024 Illustrated Map for The Saint Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show

Illustration and Design by John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
Client: Informa Markets

For information on attending the Saint Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show please visit StPeteBoatShow.com

For the 2024 Saint Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show, the map design underwent a notable simplification. The color coded zones featured in the 2023 version were removed this year. The show layout itself saw substantial revisions, particularly in the arrangements of the floating docks. There were also several changes to the land based displays, especially within the Albert Whitted Playground area. While these physical layout updates were significant, the system for map keying required only minor adjustments. The established use of numbered blue dots for points of interest was retained, as was the set of graphical icons for identifying facilities and amenities, although they were simplified to black and white.

The illustration is built upon a durable three dimensional digital model, originally created for this show in 2012 and meticulously updated each season. The modeling and all structural alterations are performed in SketchUp Pro. The rendering process is handled by Kerkythea to produce the base visual. This rendered scene is then refined and prepared in Adobe Photoshop. All final graphics, the map key, and logo integration are completed in Adobe Illustrator.

Events of this scale often experience last minute changes due to exhibitor adjustments or sponsor requests. This environment necessitates an experienced, professional illustrator and designer who can manage these revisions, even major ones, with both accuracy and timely execution. A single requested change can cascade into alterations across several files, requiring proficiency in multiple software packages. The graphic professional you hire is a direct reflection of your business and its standards; they effectively become a visual representative of your brand.

Illustrated event maps allow everyone to become time travelers, offering a clear view of the future experience. While photographs of happy attendees are pleasant, they communicate little concrete information about your specific upcoming event. Illustrated maps empower potential guests to visualize themselves at the venue. They enable practical planning by showing the event's scale, the location of exhibitors, and the placement of essential facilities like food vendors and restrooms. A well executed illustrated map achieves the dual goal of being visually appealing and genuinely informative, serving as a cornerstone of effective event communication.

For more examples of my illustrative cartography, please visit my Maps Portfolio.