Entertainment and themed areas at Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is one of the world’s leading showcases of the boating and marine lifestyle, where industry enthusiasts come together and learn about new developments and see what is available for purchase.  

Now entering its 53^rd year, the owners and operators of the show, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and Show Management, have developed a strategic plan of exciting enhancements, scheduled to begin in 2012 and continuing to roll out over the next several years, ensuring that FLIBS remains at the forefront of the marine industry for decades to come.

Attendees at this year’s show, scheduled for 25^th to 29^th October at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, will be greeted by a newly designed show entrance and guided through the pedestrian-friendly layout with fresh navigation and communication tools.

Attractive themed areas are being created to engage each marine market’s respective fans.  Entertainment of various sorts, for show-goers of all ages, is being planned to create a great experience for everyone who loves to get out on the water.

Introduced at last year’s show with great success, the show’s smartphone app, MyBoatShow, has been upgraded.  Designed to help navigate the show’s docks, land areas and tents, the MyBoatShow app now lets users post their favorite boats from the show directly to Facebook and to search for boats by name.

Show organisers have recently reported that mobile phone service should improve with the addition of a mobile cell site providing wider network coverage. There will also be free mobile phone charging stations located throughout the show. 

Themed areas at the show will include an in-water section highlighting boats and accessories, the Sportfish Village will feature leading sportfish manufacturers and configurations, TrawlerPort will again bring products and innovation from the trawler market, as well as seminars on Trawler Island, the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) Pavilion will showcase the largest boats and their builders at FLIBS and KidZone will comprise youth fishing clinics, plus many more themed areas.

An indoor display of trailerable boats, safety equipment, fishing gear and marine accessories will be available.  The Convention Center delivers an opportunity to see new models from the leading names in boating.  It is also home to the show’s complimentary marine seminars covering a wide variety of topics hosted by the International Game Fish Association’s (IGFA) School of Sportfishing and The Blue Wild.  

Pop-up entertainment will be on hand to delight show-goers. On the culinary front, an upgraded food service and an additional floating cocktail barge at the show’s north end, adjacent to the Hall of Fame Marina is planned. 

Efrem “Skip” Zimbalist III, chairman and CEO of Show Management said, “Our objective is to ensure that FLIBS continually improves and remains the largest, most exciting and successful boat show in the world.”

Covering six locations with more than 3 million square feet of space, the show’s network of water taxis, riverboats and shuttles transports visitors to see the array of boats ranging from superyachts to fishing boats, runabouts and boats for every budget.

Boat show headquarters are at the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel & Yachting Center, with additional exhibits at the Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Municipal Marina, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Sails Marina, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.

The Boat Show commences on Thursday 25^th October, children under six go free, children aged between six and fifteen pay $3 online and general admission ranges from $18.00 to $34.00 online.

For further information visit facebook.com/fortlauderdaleboatshow, follow the show on Twitter at twitter.com/boatshowupdates, or visit ShowManagement.com.