58th Annual Show Now Scheduled for Wednesday, November 1 through Sunday, November 5
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 10, 2017) – Organizers of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) announced new dates for the 58th annual event: Wednesday, November 1 through Sunday, November 5, 2017.
Historically, the show has opened on the first Thursday of November and closed the following Monday. The 2017 event was previously scheduled to open on Thursday, November 2 and run through Monday, November 6. Exhibitor contracts do not need to be changed, organizers said.
Owned and presented by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) and managed and produced by Show Management, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show draws hundreds of leading marine businesses from around the world and thousands of boating enthusiasts who come to browse, buy and learn about what’s new on the water.
“We decided to change the days of show after listening to strong industry feedback supporting an earlier event,” said Charles McCurdy, Chief Executive of Informa’s Global Exhibitions division, which purchased Show Management in March. “We worked diligently with all stakeholders involved, including exhibitors, venues, local hoteliers and the MIASF, to ensure a seamless transition and build upon the strength of this annual event in the Yachting Capital of the Word.”
Show organizers plan to keep the new Wednesday-through-Sunday date pattern in future years.
“Over the past 57 years, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show has evolved from a local boat show into a truly international exhibition,” said Phil Purcell, CEO/President of MIASF. “In today’s world of financial transactions, it is no longer necessary to use Monday as a banking day, and with more frequent client visits and exhibitor opportunities on Wednesday, we think it’s in the best interest of both exhibitors and consumers to activate the Wednesday of show week and deactivate Monday,” he concluded.
The largest in-water boat show in the world, FLIBS takes place at seven locations connected by a network of water and land transportation. Show locations included 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.
With a strategic plan to expand its Global Exhibitions business in the United States, London-based Informa currently delivers 200 industry events annually, including the Monaco Yacht Show. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: INF.L) and is a member of the FTSE 100.