The first day was pretty rough with wait times and bus ride times. I did not use the water taxi but heard the waits were up to 30 minutes + a 30 minute + boat ride. Today was much better, more organized, best bet is to park in Lot A or B if there is room (credit cards only) my wait time for pick up was 5 minutes at 9am and the bus ride to the show is only 5-10 minutes. Wait time at 6:30 was 10 minutes but bus ride is 15 minutes approx. because the busses U turn all the way back at the toll booths on the mainland.
I don't know if the prepaid parking option is still available, but it is worth it if still available to guarantee a spot.
I think for tomorrow (Saturday) they will have it even smoother. It's not perfect by any means, but Miami Beach wasn't any cakewalk either. The buses from the mainland parking lots are the way some of my neighboring exhibitors came in, report the same improvements, but bus rides were 30-40 minutes because of rush hour traffic. Saturday and Sunday should be much better, no rush hour traffic.
Cabs drop off at the West entrance to the Show, might be a good option considering parking costs. For those so inclined bicycle might be a great way to get there. I imagine you could park at Crandon Park and just pedal in, nice ride except the last mile on Virginia Key because the bike path is being used as a foot path for attendee's.
Plenty of peeps today, attendance was good with good traffic in all the tents I visited. Food, bars, bathrooms are convenient. Some of the tents go on forever. I think the B tent with all boats is a real hike from one end to the next, very impressive. A guy was flying a drone around our tent this afternoon.
If you are prepared to spend some time getting in and out, the Show has everything the Miami Beach Show had and more + an awesome in the water venue.
I went to my first concert at the Marine Stadium, Rare Earth in 1972. Went to many other events after that, a shame how its deteriorated.