Fort Lauderdale Boat Show Opens with $900M Sales, 100,000 Visitors

The 66th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the world's largest in-water boat show, has commenced, attracting over 100,000 visitors and expected to generate nearly $900 million in sales with a $1.7 billion statewide economic impact. Spanning seven locations and showcasing more than 1,000 vessels, the event highlights the resilience of the boating industry despite earlier concerns about tariffs, which have been mitigated by strategies such as offshore yacht flagging. CEO AJ Blackmon noted that recent tax incentives like bonus depreciation, allowing buyers to depreciate the yacht's purchase price up to 100% in the year of purchase, have significantly boosted sales. The show opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis at Pier Sixty-Six. Additionally, the event's kickoff party featured upscale festivities including a fashion show, live music, and luxury experiences, reflecting the boat show's cultural and economic significance in the region.