From October 31 to November 4, the “Yachting Capital of the World” will play a host to the 54th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show® (FLIBS), the largest in – water boat show in the world. Drawing attention of an international audience of hundreds of thousands of marine enthusiasts, the event covers six locations with over 3 million square feet ofspace. From spectacular super yachts to fishing boats, runabouts and boats for every budget, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show brings the excitement of boating, for any lifestyle.

Fort Lauderdale Boat Show 2012 - Photo credit to Forest Johnson

Here are the Top 10 things to see and do at this year’s show:

1. Fireworks – enjoy a spectacular fireworks display launched from the rooftop of the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach – a Doubletree by Hilton Hotel on Thursday, opening night of the show at 7 p.m.

2. Tour the amazing exhibitor displays – As the leader in the global marine industry, FLIBS, creates custom – made, in – water exhibitor displays ranging from 400 to 10,000 square feet of temporary floating structures for display, sales and entertainment.

3. New to the show this year, The Club at Seafair, a unique 228-foot exhibition megayacht, will offer fine art, jewelry, and design for yacht and home in a luxurious club – like atmosphere, including a 120 seat restaurant and cocktail lounges with panoramic views of the boat show.

4. The new Sailfish Pavilion is more than 90,000 square feet of additional space located outside the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center featuring boats ranging from 15 to 40 feet and an extraordinary selection of marine accessories, including the new Florida Sportsman pond with daily fishing demonstrations and the new LandShark Bar with a grilled food menu.

5. Check out the yacht toys – SEABOB underwater scooters; Quadski amphibious ATVs; JetLev (flying jet packs); JetSurf and WaveJet (motorized surfboards); Sealegs (amphibious boat)

6. Enjoy refreshments and cocktails on one of the show’s world – famous floating cocktail lounges, including Guzzlers presented by Budweiser, the Superyacht Lounge presented by Palm Harbor Marina and the Gosling’s Rum Dark & Stormy Island Bar. Enjoy live musical entertainment, kick back and relax

7. Learn from top pros from the International Game Fish Association’s School of Sportfishing and The Blue Wild at one of the free fishing and boating seminars at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and enjoy workshops for adults and children of all ages, including Hook The Future kids fishing clinics.

8. See everything the marine industry has to offer with similar products and boats conveniently grouped in categories such as high performance and sportfishing. CruiserPort features the world’s best selection of long range cruisers and related seminars. The Superyacht Experience features the world’s largest collection of superyacht builders of yachts over 40 meters.

9. Go by boat. Enjoy the City’s waterways with a free riverboat ride down the New River to the show from Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Riverfront complex. Attendees can also ride the Water Taxi for $10 per day to any of the show’s six locations while touring Fort Lauderdale from the water. Boat show headquarters are at the Bahia Mar Hotel & Yachting Center, with additional exhibits at the Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Municipal Marina, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Sails Marina, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.

10. Go shopping for every marine accessory and gift in one of the show’s six clearspan tents ranging in size from 20,000 to 70,000 square feet of air conditioned comfort.

WHEN:
Thursday, Oct. 31 (Prime Time Preview) 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 3 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 4 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

ADMISSION:
Adults $20 online, $22 at show
Children (ages 6 – 15) $5 online, $7 at show
Children (under 6) Free
Prime Time Preview (Thursday, Oct. 31) $36 online, $38 at show
Two – Day Ticket $38 online, $40 at show

Easily purchase tickets and navigate all show attractions and locations through MyBoatShow, the show’s free smartphone app.