Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show - New location and attractions

by Pierson Grant Public Relations on 22 Jul 2014 Entering its 55th year, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the largest in-water boat show in the world, is set to take place from Oct. 30 through Nov. 3, attracting an international audience of hundreds of thousands of marine enthusiasts to the 'Yachting Capital of the World.'

From astonishing super-yachts, to multihull and moohull sailing yachts to fishing boats, runabouts and boats for every budget, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show delivers the excitement of boating, for any lifestyle. Each year show organizers strive to deliver new, exciting features to enrich the overall show experience and engage audiences.

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 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. Other nearby options include local foodie favorites Coconuts restaurant and G&B Oyster Bar, located just outside the show adjacent to the Hall of Fame Marina.

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.'

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 Showis 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.

Making for easier navigation and an enhanced show experience, the show features themed areas including the Performance Village, the Sportfish Village, CruiserPort, the Superyacht Experience, the Yachting Pavilion, the Yacht Builders Pavilion and the show's Kid Zone, located at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, featuring kids fishing clinics presented by Hook The Future.

All attractions and show locations can be easily located through MyBoatShow, the show's free smartphone app, designed to help navigate the show's docks, land areas and tents.

'Over the past several years we have incorporated numerous useful navigation aids to make getting around the many show sites as effortless as possible,' said Steve Sheer, director of marketing for Show Management. 'With the app, bright color-coded directional signage, maps, the show greeter program and a reliable ground and water transportation system, thousands of visitors make their way around quite effortlessly.'

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.

SCHEDULE:            Thursday, Oct. 30 (Prime Time Preview)               10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31                                                         10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1                                                      10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3                                                         10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3                                                         10 a.m. - 5 p.m.   ADMISSION: Adults                                                                       $22 online, $24 at show Children (ages 6-15)                                                $7 online, $9 at show Children (under 6)                                                    Free Prime Time Preview (Thursday, Oct. 31)               $38 online, $40 at show Two-Day Ticket                                                       $40 online, $42 at show

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is owned and sponsored by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, managed and produced by Show Management and sponsored by sponsored by Gosling's Rum, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), Yachts International Magazine, AIM Marine Group, Budweiser, BoatShowHotels.com, BoatQuest.com, Palm Harbor Marina, Smallwoods Yachtwear, International Game Fish Association (IGFA), Monte Carlo Vodka and the South Florida Sun Event website