SHOW STOPPER - The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

As the final event in the superyacht fall season, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) closes the calendar with scale. Set across South Florida’s iconic waterways, the show offers an immersive experience where the yachting lifestyle takes center stage. In this third instalment of Navigator Knows, we speak to Andrew Doole, President of the US boat shows for Informa Markets, overseeing major events including the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS).

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

What are the key highlights of this year’s show?  

FLIBS continues to be the world’s largest in-water boat show and a global showcase for the marine industry. Visitors will experience seven show sites across Fort Lauderdale featuring a full spectrum of vessels, marine technology, and lifestyle exhibits. The Superyacht Village remains a standout attraction, along with product debuts, industry activations, and elevated on-site experiences that reflect the latest in design, innovation, and craftsmanship.

A great new addition to this year’s show will be the Honours Awards. The Superyacht Life Foundation will name their 2025 Honours recipients at FLIBS for the first time ever in the U.S. Typically held at the Monaco Yacht Show, the awards highlight the individuals and compelling real-life stories making an impact beyond the marine industry. The judging panel recently narrowed down the field of 238 nominees — including philanthropists, adventurers and innovators — to 18 exceptional candidates. Our three Honourees will be presented at a ceremony on October 28^th.

What are your key goals for this year’s edition?

We aim to offer an experience that is both impactful for the industry and memorable for attendees. That includes supporting our exhibitors through buyer engagement, enhancing international attendance, and continuing to refine logistics and guest services across all show sites. We also want to reinforce FLIBS as the gateway to the winter boating season and a must-attend event for global marine brands.

How many yachts are exhibiting at this year’s show? Any standout launches?

FLIBS will feature a wide range of vessels across all classes, with participation from many of the most respected shipyards around the world. Multiple world and U.S. debuts are expected. As we get closer to the show, additional details on those announcements will be shared.

What are the most innovative or surprising vessels featured this year?

Visitors will see a growing presence of vessels focused on advanced propulsion, sustainability, and intelligent onboard systems. From fully electric dayboats to large yachts with hybrid capabilities, FLIBS highlights how design and function are evolving to meet the demands of modern ownership.

What new experiences have been introduced this year?

This year, FLIBS continues to expand its global reach and experiential offerings. With a large focus on showcasing world and U.S. debuts, the show offers fresh activations, hospitality upgrades, and a wide range of lifestyle integrations. Across all sites, guests can expect new culinary options, immersive tech exhibits, and enhancements that align with the show’s evolution as a premier marine destination.

USPs

What do you believe sets the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show apart from other international shows?

FLIBS is a true global marketplace with a distinctly international energy. It is known not only for its scale, but for its ability to connect buyers and sellers across every segment of the marine industry. It is also positioned as the first major show of the winter season, which helps drive momentum for product launches and long-term business deals. The setting in Fort Lauderdale adds to the draw, offering a lifestyle-rich environment that blends business with leisure.

How does Fort Lauderdale differ from the other major fall shows?

The scale and scope of FLIBS are unmatched. With seven show sites connected across the city’s waterfront, the show offers both access and atmosphere. Attendees can view vessels in the water, in motion, and in the setting where they are meant to be experienced. Few fall shows can offer this combination of indoor and outdoor spaces, global brands, and South Florida energy.

What’s a behind-the-scenes aspect of the show that most visitors don’t realize?

Producing a show of this scale requires months of planning and coordination. From floating dock construction to multi-agency security, transportation, and infrastructure, the show is built to operate like a city within a city. What feels effortless to the guest is the result of an incredibly detailed and collaborative process.

Another aspect people may not fully realize is the immense economic impact this show has to the entire region. FLIBS has an incredible $1.78B impact, per our most recent study. Marine product sales at the 2024 show totaled $823.5 million, with Florida-based companies generating $694.5 million in revenue, including $228.9 million from Broward County alone. The economic boost extended beyond direct sales, as non-local visitors and exhibitor spending infused an estimated $54.2 million into the local economy, including $13.5 million in hotel lodging.

How do you tailor the show to appeal to the diverse demographic/international audience?

We curate programming and marketing to reflect the wide range of attendees FLIBS attracts, including seasoned yacht owners, first-time buyers, and global industry leaders. Each show site offers a different experience, and our goal is to ensure there is something for everyone, regardless of where they are in their boating journey. We also collaborate with global partners to reach international markets and create programming that appeals to visitors from around the world.

What role does the location play in shaping the visitor experience?

Fort Lauderdale plays a key role in shaping the identity of the show. It is one of the world’s most active marine hubs, home to top shipyards, brokers, and service providers. The setting offers convenient access for international travelers, beautiful waterways, and a built-in yachting culture that makes the entire city feel like part of the show.

FOCUS & STRATEGY

How has the show evolved since you first became involved?

The show has evolved into a year-round effort involving hundreds of partners, a growing digital presence, and an international reputation. It has expanded in footprint, attendance, and influence. What began as a regional boat show has become a global event that kicks off the winter season and sets the tone for the marine industry worldwide.

What is the biggest challenge in organizing such a large-scale, high-profile event each year? Balancing scale and quality is always top of mind. With thousands of vessels, exhibitors, and attendees across multiple sites, every detail matters. Ensuring smooth logistics, maintaining safety, and creating a world-class guest experience across all touchpoints takes deep collaboration and continuous innovation.

How do you ensure the show is not a trade event but a lifestyle experience for visitors?

We design the show to reflect the full marine lifestyle, not just the product side of the business. That means integrating luxury experiences, curated food and beverage, education, and entertainment that align with how people actually live on and around the water. The marine industry is as much about community as it is about commerce, and FLIBS brings that to life.

Has there been an increase in attendance from certain markets in recent years?
FLIBS attracts a diverse and global audience each year, and we continue to see strong interest from both international and domestic markets. While formal attendance data varies year to year, we’ve observed continued engagement from regions such as Europe and Latin America based on exhibitor feedback and onsite interactions. The show’s timing, scale, and global reputation help maintain its appeal across a broad range of buyers and industry professionals.

Sustainability is a key theme across the industry. How are you promoting green innovation among exhibitors and participants?

Sustainability remains a key priority at FLIBS and across Informa Markets through our Faster to Zero pillar, which reflects our commitment to becoming a zero waste and net zero carbon business by 2030. This includes reducing our environmental impact through paperless ticketing, energy-efficient lighting, waste reduction, and expanded recycling efforts.

We also actively encourage our exhibitors to showcase sustainable technologies, including electric and hybrid propulsion, alternative energy sources, and eco-conscious materials. In partnership with the Marine Research Hub, FLIBS continues to support the Innovation & Sustainability Award, which recognizes companies making impactful contributions to protecting marine and coastal ecosystems through forward-thinking solutions. These collective efforts help drive progress within the industry and support broader sustainability goals.

How do you see the show evolving over the next decade?

FLIBS will continue to grow as a global platform that connects innovation, lifestyle, and commerce. Expect greater world and U.S. debuts, stronger digital integration, and continued investment in guest experience and sustainability. As the marine industry evolves, FLIBS will remain at the forefront of what’s next.

And finally, what is your proudest moment/ achievement in organizing the show?

Every year brings something new to be proud of, but what stands out most is the long-term growth and loyalty from our partners, exhibitors, and attendees. Seeing families return year after year, hearing from businesses that made their biggest sales here, or watching a first-time visitor fall in love with the boating lifestyle is what makes all the work worthwhile.

I’m equally proud of the long-standing FLIBS partnership we’ve built with the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), the largest marine trade organization in the Southeast United States.

To discover what’s next in bluewater cruising from the world’s leading shipyards, contact your nearest Northrop & Johnson broker, or visit the team at the show and view for some of the finest fleet afloat.