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Dear Neighbor,
It’s that time again!
All eyes are on our City as we host the 66th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the premier global yachting event and largest in-water boat show in the world. Where do I even begin on how incredibly fortunate we are to have this right here in Fort Lauderdale, AND in District 2!
From Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, the five-day show will attract boating enthusiasts from Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia, as well as every corner of the United States. Known as "FLIBS" in the marine industry, the event puts an exclamation point on year-round manufacturing, brokerage, sales, and service activity.
According to the most recent 2024 Economic Impact Study prepared by Thomas J. Murray and Associates, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show contributed a statewide economic benefit of $1.77 billion, supporting over 10,000 jobs and contributing $84.1 million in state and local taxes. Of this, a total of $25.3 million occurred in Broward County. The show, which attracts over 100,000 attendees from around the world, is a major driver of revenue and tourism not just for our City and county, but for the entire state.
In fact, the Show has grown significantly in both visitation and exhibitors over the past 65 years. An early study reported 64,000 tickets sold to the Show in 1988. The comparable number for the 2024 Show was nearly 100,000, according to show management statistics.
With more than 1,300 boats on display, the show encompasses seven locations connected by a convenient land and water transportation network. 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, 17th Street Yacht Basin Marina, Pier 66 Marina, Superyacht Village at Pier 66 South, and the Broward County/Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center.
I cannot tell you how proud I am to have this show hosted every year in District 2. The show’s importance to the global marine community is invaluable and we are so grateful for the relationships we have with our partners in Marine Industries of South Florida (MIASF) and Informa. The show’s economic impact and publicity aside, the absolute joy and pride alone generated in our city is reason enough that we will continue to support this incredible event for years and years to come. The Boat Show is our very own Super Bowl and it happens right here every year!
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