Originally founded in 1959 by local manufacturers, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show celebrates its 60th anniversary in a town that has become world-renowned as the “Yachting Capital of the World”. Property of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), produced by Informa Markets, it is recognized as the largest in-water boat show in the world, has an economic impact of $857 million.
“It would’ve been hard to imagine that FLIBS would become the cultural and commercial icon that it is today. In 1959, it made a splash with just 13 boats in the still new Lauderdale Marina and yet it enjoyed immediate success, quickly growing from an informal, free-to-the-public and volunteer-led exhibition, to the hugely-ambitious and grandly-scaled extravaganza that it is today,” said Andrew Doole, president of U.S. Boat Shows for Informa Markets.
Phil Purcell, CEO/president of MIASF, said, “FLIBS is at the heart of an $8.9 billion industry that employs 111,000 people in the Fort Lauderdale area. As the show has grown over the years, the marine industry has grown side-by-side, creating jobs and providing an unparalleled economic impact.”
Since 1960, the show experienced continuous growth, until the early 1990’s, when the show began expanding to additional locations and 200’ yachts were docking by 1996. The 60th year now celebrates the unveiling of the very first Superyacht Village, a dedicated marina and on-land exhibition space located at Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina’s new “Pier South” property that will display the most spectacular yachts in the show. The Superyacht Village can accommodate yachts up to 300+ feet making them truly among the grandest vessels of their kind anywhere on the planet from the foremost shipbuilders in the world.
FLIBS Superyacht Village
This edition of the show will feature some of the year’s groundbreaking new yachts, including the world debut of Lürssen’s 311-foot Madsummer, the show’s largest megayacht; Heesen Yacht’s Vida, a 180-foot yacht; and Lexus’s Marquis Lexus 650, a 65-foot yacht crafted with a similar design as the automobile brand’s premium cars.
Lürssen Madsummer
Expanding its international portfolio, which includes exhibitors from 52 countries, FLIBS will also debut yachts from Dubai: the Majesty 140 and Majesty 100 by Gulf Craft will make their US debut right at FLIBS. Arriving from Turkey, Hargrave Custom Yachts will premiere the 186-foot 2020 Hargrave Motoryacht “BABA’S”, the largest yacht in the company’s history.
Gulf Craft Majesty 140
FLIBS features a complex transportation network of water taxis, riverboats, and shuttle buses to ferry about 85,000 visitors across the show’s seven waterfront locations.
For this years edition, the food courts have expanded into gourmet “foodie” destinations featuring everything from ocean-side favorites such as conch fritters (3000 pounds served) to sushi, a raw bar, and a Trulucks Lobster Roll.
The Windward VIP Club – presented by Delta Private Jets (the Official Private Jet Carrier of FLIBS), in partnership with Ulysse Nardin (the Official Timekeeper of FLIBS), Whispering Angel (the Official Rosé of FLIBS), Bradford Marine, and Douglas Elliman – will have a new in-water location anchored in the heart of the show on the face dock at Bahia Mar. This year’s VIP experience will feature a luxury premium open bar and gourmet food offerings, a Cigar Lounge presented by Delta Private Jets, a variety of wine and fine spirits’ tastings, and a collection of signature timepieces by Ulysse Nardin.
Mansion Yacht, the first yacht made entirely of stainless steel, will be docked behind the Windward VIP Club. Measuring 84 feet in length and 40 feet across, the Mansion Yacht features four 18-foot hydraulic legs with a lifting capacity of a million pounds each, allowing the yacht to stand up in the water. Tours and events at the Mansion Yacht are by invitation only.
FLIBS and the Marine Industries Association of South Florida are joining forces to support the Bahamas hurricane relief efforts in the Abacos and Grand Bahama through multiple initiatives, including a boat raffle of a pioneer sportfish 180, donated by Palm City Yachts. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Mission of Hope, a relief mission to aid in the rebuilding of temporary housing and providing medical care in the Caribbean. Additionally, all net proceeds from the Sunset Soiree & 2nd Annual Yacht Chef Competition will benefit Mission of Hope as well as ONE Bahamas fund, supporting immediate recovery needs and long-term rebuilding initiatives in the country.
