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World's Largest Boat Show Opens amid Cautious Optimism

"Based on positive early indicators, we're cautiously optimistic that this show will reflect the strengthening of marine industry businesses overall," said Efrem Zimbalist III, CEO of Show Management, the company that produces the show. "Advance ticket sales, hotel bookings, Web traffic and exhibitor requests for space and guest tickets all are tracking ahead of last year."

Enhancements to this year's show are designed to engage attendees, highlight the overall boating lifestyle and make it easier than ever to navigate the six separate and expansive sites the show covers along A1A and the Intracoastal Waterway.

A first-ever smartphone app for the Fort Lauderdale show makes its debut, available for free on iPhone and Android platforms. Designed to help navigate the show's network of docks, land areas and tents, MyBoatShow enables attendees to access show maps and search for exhibitors, manufacturers, product categories and boats by specifications and size. It also provides the show schedule, seminar information, transportation schedules and maps, food and drink locations, restroom locations and emergency services.

Also new is the SYBAss (Super Yacht Builders Association) Pavilion, giving superyacht builders a new platform to display their latest designs and future builds.

The 16,000-square-foot SYBAss Pavilion showcases the world's leading superyacht builders on a custom-built, floating, air-conditioned barge along the Intracoastal Waterway at Bahia Mar, the show's central location.

Additional enhancements include a new Captain's Den located at the Hall of Fame Marina, which offers captains of boats in the show a place to meet and relax, and Trawler Port, a show-within-a-show of long-range specialty cruisers, with educational seminars on the long-range cruising lifestyle.

A total of 1,800 boats are on display: 1,000 in the water and 800 on land. In addition, 45 free fishing, diving and boating safety seminars provide five days of boating-related fun and education for adults and children.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is owned and sponsored by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida , managed and produced by Show Management, presented by Intellian and co-sponsored by Seakeeper, Yachts Magazine, Budweiser, XM WX Weather, Aqualuma, The Sun Sentinel, BoatQuest.com, Atlass Insurance, Chartis, Yanmar, The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Palm Harbor Marina, Wavejet, Alexseal, Large Yacht Services, International Game Fish Association (IGFA), Blue Wild Dive & Travel, and Hook the Future. Like the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on Facebook at facebook.com/fortlauderdaleboatshow and follow the show on Twitter at twitter.com/boatshowupdates. For more information, visit ShowManagement.com.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show®
Marielle Sologuren, 954-776-1999 Ext. 226
msologuren@piersongrant.com