Entering its 55th year, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), the largest in-water boat show in the world, is set to take place from October 30 through November 3, attracting an international audience of thousands of marine enthusiasts to the “Yachting Capital of the World” to experience the single best showcase of marine products and accessories on the planet. From astonishing super-yachts to fishing boats, runabouts and boats for every budget, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show delivers the excitement of boating, for any lifestyle.
Several noteworthy enhancements already have been confirmed for this year’s show, including the addition of Pier 66 Marina, a full-service pop-up restaurant and the IGFA Sportfishing Lounge. The iconic Pier 66 Marina, currently undergoing upgrades, will serve as the show’s seventh location and will feature an impressive display of brokerage yachts. The location also offers several dining options, such as Pelican Landing restaurant, which offers casual dining and drinks, or the upscale atmosphere and fine cuisine at Grille 66 & Bar.
The new pop-up restaurant concept, located at the Hall of Fame Marina show location, is designed to offer another quality dining option for guests and a place for industry professionals to meet and conduct business. Centrally located, the new restaurant will be open all show days and will be operated by Hugh’s Culinary, one of the area’s top caterers.
The IGFA Sportfishing Lounge, located inside the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center show location, will offer comfortable seating and drink service. Outside the Convention Center, the Sailfish Pavilion Bar and Grill will offer a great selection of grilled favorites and refreshing drinks.
“Year after year our goal for the show is to enhance the overall experience for visitors and offer industry professionals the best platform to conduct business,” said Efrem “Skip” Zimbalist III, CEO of Show Management, the company that manages and produces the show. “This year we have more exhibit space than ever before, further-improved navigational aids and additional dining options all designed to ensure that FLIBS remains the center of the yachting world.”
The Complete Boating Lifestyle
Featuring nearly $4 billion worth of boats and marine products across more than three million square feet of exhibit space, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is known for its astounding number of yachts, which attract enthusiasts from around the world. But the show offers something for everyone who loves the water, and even those not in the market to buy a boat can find an array of fun-filled activities.
Other attention-grabbing exhibits include an exotic auto display, a private jet, personal submarines and a huge selection of the latest yacht and water toys. For those not looking for a new toy, the show offers plenty of fun including world-famous floating cocktail lounges, live musical entertainment and exciting fishing and boating seminars for adults and children of all ages.
Navigating the Show
The show’s seven locations are connected by a convenient land and water transportation network offering several parking and transportation options to get show-goers to the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel & Yachting Center, the Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Municipal Marina, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Sails Marina, Pier 66 Marina and the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.
The schedule for the Boat Show is as follows: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Thursday, October 30 through Sunday, November 2, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, November 3. Admission is $22 for adults online and $24 at the show. The prime time preview on Thursday, October 30 is $38 online and $40 at the show. Two-day tickets cost $40 online and $42 at the show. Tickets can be purchased by going to showmanagement.com/fort-lauderdale-international-boat-show-2014/event.
Like the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on Facebook at facebook.com/fortlauderdaleboatshow, follow the show on Twitter at twitter.com/boatshowupdates, and tune into Boat Show TV at youtube.com/showmanagement. For more information, call (954) 764-7642 or (800) 940-7642, or visit ShowManagement.com.
