Mayor’s Message

John P, “Jack” Seiler

Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale

The Landings & Bay Colony

10

Fort Lauderdale Welcomes International Boat Show!

57th Annual World Class Event Runs November 3 - 7

F

ort Lauderdale is proud to be the home of the largest, most recognizable boat show
in the world. Now in its 57th year, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
sails into town November 3 - 7, and promises to be bigger and better than ever! 

For over half a century, this global event has been a driving force behind the
tremendous growth and development of our marine industry, as well as a
fundamental contributor to economic expansion in Fort Lauderdale and throughout
our region.

This year, the Boat Show will take place at seven venues, including the Bahia Mar
Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel & Yachting Center, the Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas
Municipal Marina, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Sails Marina, Hyatt Regency Pier
66 Marina, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.

The event will cover more than 3 million square feet of exhibit space with more than
1,000 exhibitors from 30 countries displaying close to $4 billion worth of boats,
yachts, marine products and merchandise. 

Boating enthusiasts will marvel at nearly 1,500 boats, including the latest in modern,
high performance, leisure and luxury sea vessels ranging from runabouts, sportfishers,
cabin cruisers, skiffs, sailing and motor yachts to catamarans, ski boats, jet boats,
inflatables, canoes, and magnificent megayachts.

As the world’s largest in-water international boat show, the event is expected to attract
more than 130,000 visitors, while generating hundreds of millions of dollars in marine
commerce and new business development. In addition to stimulating capital investment,
the Boat Show showcases Fort Lauderdale to a worldwide audience, and is a substantial
economic catalyst for our hotels, restaurants, retail, and entertainment establishments.

When it comes to economic impact, the Boat Show has no equal. The most recent
study conducted by Thomas J. Murray & Associates in conjunction with the University
of Florida was released in July and revealed that the Boat Show’s total economic
output is an astonishing $857 million, which is greater than any other event in
Florida, including the Super Bowl.

Sales at the Boat Show are soaring! The event generates $508 million in total sales
by Florida corporations, $240 million by businesses in the tri-county area, and $131
million by companies in Broward County. The Boat Show produces $304 million in
statewide personal income and economic activity, along with $51 million in sales
and excise taxes, nearly $17 million of which are in Broward County. Plus, our local
businesses benefit greatly from an additional $30 million in expenditures pumped
into our economy by visitors in town for this mega event.

As we prepare to celebrate the 57th year of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show,
we recognize that a thriving marine industry is vital to the long-term growth, development,
and prosperity of Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and the State of Florida.