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5 Fresh Reasons to Attend the 65th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

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FLIBS 2024 returns with an array of enhanced experiences for all to enjoy

The 2024 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) is gearing up for its 65th anniversary, showcasing an exciting lineup of new features and making a grand return to its iconic venues across the city of Fort Lauderdale. Running from October 30 to November 3, this year’s show promises enhanced experiences for both boating enthusiasts and industry professionals as it continues to honor the region’s rich tradition of boating and yachting, now spanning over six decades.

FLIBS is more than just a boat show—it’s a celebration of 65 years of marine innovation and community connection. As the largest in-water boat show in the world, FLIBS has left an indelible mark on the local boating industry while playing a pivotal role in Fort Lauderdale’s economy. It has not only boosted the local marine scene but has also fueled the city’s tourism and hospitality sectors, helping small businesses thrive and attracting international visitors. With over 100,000 attendees annually, the event generates a staggering $1.79 billion in economic impact for the region, cementing its status as a cornerstone of the global marine community.

This year, attendees can look forward to a range of exciting new additions designed to elevate the overall experience. A standout feature of the 2024 show is the partnership with Goslings and Anheuser-Busch, which will offer a unique culinary and cocktail journey, featuring carefully crafted drinks and popular brews. Whether you’re a casual fan or a seasoned professional, this year’s FLIBS is set to deliver unforgettable moments as it celebrates its 65th year of excellence.

According to a news bulletin from show organizers, new features and additions debuting at the 2024 FLIBS include:

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  • NEW location for the Windward VIP Club: Now located at the Hall of Fame Marina, the larger space will offer more luxury experiences including an exclusive Sunday Brunch, access to special celebrity guests, and unique pop-up activations. Other Windward VIP perks include a premium open bar, gourmet food, exclusive access to luxury sponsorship activations, and private restrooms within the VIP area.
  • Expanded Designers Pavilion at Superyacht Village: This year, the Designers Pavilion at Superyacht Village will be larger than ever, showcasing cutting-edge designs and innovations in luxury yachts.
  • More Products at Pier Sixty-Six and Las Olas Marina: These iconic locations will play a prominent role in the show, offering more space and showcasing the latest products and vessels.
  • Superyacht Village @ Pier Sixty-Six: This year, located at Pier Sixty-Six’s Hotel & Marina “Pier South” property, Superyacht Village will feature the largest vessels at the show. This exclusive marina will host high-end exhibitor displays and an expanded lineup of daily seminars. Superyacht Village will be open to all general admission ticket holders. The area will be accessible by water tenders, water taxi, and shuttle bus and golf cart routes to and from all seven show locations, as well as on-site valet and self-parking.
  • Expanded Transportation Options: This year, show organizers are increasing the number of water taxi stops and water taxis serving the show at show locations and, ensuring greater convenience and easier mobility across the seven show locations. Water Taxi tickets must be purchased separately for $15.

“This milestone year for FLIBS underscores our team’s dedication to investing in and elevating this event for the industry and consumers to enjoy,” shared Andrew Doole, President of the U.S. Boat Shows division of Informa Markets. “As a key event on the marine industry’s calendar, we are already seeing early excitement from exhibitors and look forward to welcoming our guests back to our docks.”

Phil Purcell, CEO and President of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, added, “As we mark the 65th anniversary of FLIBS, we not only celebrate its legacy, but also its significant impact on shaping the marine industry. Over the years, FLIBS has welcomed millions who have walked the docks, supported, and contributed to the industry’s growth. The evolution of FLIBS from its early days to its current status as the world’s largest in-water boat show emphasizes its impact on the industry, Broward County, and South Florida as a whole. I am incredibly proud of the work our team and our partners at Informa have done to put on this iconic event, and we are all excited for the milestones that lie ahead.”

The Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), the owner of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, is the largest trade organization in the Southeast United States dedicated to promoting, protecting, and growing the 142,000 middle-class jobs and driving the economic output to $18.5 billion regionally. Created in 1961, the not-for-profit trade group is focused on the sound growth of the marine industry in the South Florida Region to benefit its members and their customers, communities, and the environment. The Association has over 500 members in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.

Tickets for FLIBS are available exclusively online. To ensure a seamless experience, attendees are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance, as there will not be a ticket box office on-site. Guests attending the show can contribute to the Water Revolution Foundation (WRF), this year’s official community partner. Donations can be made while purchasing tickets, funds directly support the WRF’s Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) program. Developed by the IUCN Task Force on Marine Mammal Protected Areas, this program aims to identify and protect crucial habitats. By mapping these critical areas, particularly in the North West Atlantic region, which includes popular boating destinations like the US East Coast, Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean, we can foster a thriving ocean ecosystem.

This year, the Broward County Convention Center returns as the official FLIBS Transportation Hub, offering over 3,000 parking spaces at a daily flat rate of $20. With convenient access to all show locations via water taxis, shuttles, and golf carts provided by ICON Electric Vehicles, the Convention Center is the ideal starting point for your #FLIBS experience. Inside the Convention Center, guests will find an impressive array of fishing boats, runabouts, cruisers, marine accessories, fishing equipment, diving gear, and personal watercraft.

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Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. As a prolific lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker, Merilee keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com and www.SavvyLiving.tv / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / Twitter www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern / Facebook www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***

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