The 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (aka FLIBS) — Why the Time Is Now for the West Coast & Catalina Crew
- Catalina Crew
- Oct 27
- 3 min read
1. What is FLIBS 2025?
The 2025 edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) is scheduled from October 29 to November 2, 2025, marking its 66th iteration. Set across seven prime marina locations in Fort Lauderdale — including the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Las Olas Marina, Hall of Fame Marina and the Superyacht Village at Pier 66 — the show spans nearly 90 acres and three million square feet of exhibit space.
With over 100,000 attendees, 1,000+ exhibitors, and 1,300+ vessels on display, FLIBS is widely recognized as the world’s largest in-water boat show. FLIBS+1
2. Why It Matters
Global stage for yachting innovation: Many world and U.S. debuts of superyachts, tenders, accessories and marine-tech happen right here. YATCO+1
Massive economic impact: The show generates roughly $1.79 billion in economic output for Florida. Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show+1
Networking value: It’s not just boats — it’s deal-making, relationship-building, trend-spotting. For brands and brokers, it’s a must-attend.
Lifestyle and culture: From AquaZone water-toy demos to luxury events, from sportfishing clinics to VIP parties — FLIBS isn’t just commerce, it’s experience. Yacht Charter Fleet
3. Catalina Crew’s Presence: Year Two at the Show
For the second straight year, Catalina Crew arrives at FLIBS with purpose: filming immersive yacht-tours, engaging with industry leaders, showcasing the lifestyle of Marina del Rey and positioning our home port as the upcoming West Coast yachting hub.
Why this is strategic:
We’re building content: video tours of mega-yachts, interviews with key players, capturing the vibe and scale of FLIBS.
We’re network-driven: connecting with shipyards, brokers, charter management companies, and lifestyle partners — all to shine spotlight on Marina del Rey and its potential.
We’re raising awareness: With the global yachting community focused on luxury, mobility and next-gen events, West Coast players must step up their game.
4. Why Marina del Rey Needs to Raise the Bar Now
To align with upcoming global events — FIFA World Cup 2026, Super Bowl 2027 and the Olympic Games 2028 — there’s no better moment for California’s yachting ecosystem to amplify its profile.
Demand will surge: As high-net worth individuals, event planners and global brands turn-up their marine-lifestyle spend, West Coast marinas like Marina del Rey must offer world-class service, infrastructure and branding.
Destination positioning: By leveraging the mood, culture and aesthetics of places like FLIBS, the West Coast can redefine what luxury yachting means — sun-soaked, Pacific-facing, globally connected.
Strategic partnerships: Catalina Crew’s alliances (electric surfboards, water-purification brands, mega-yacht brokers) bring extra value. When major events roll in, being ready matters.
5. Why “Live to Tell the Tale” Matters
It’s more than a tagline — it’s a philosophy. Here’s how the motto plays out at FLIBS and beyond:
Experience over exhibition: You walk the docks, you step aboard, you feel the scale — that story is your differentiator.
Narrative-driven branding: Every vessel tour, every networking lunch, every handshake is a chapter in a bigger story — the story of Catalina Crew, of Marina del Rey, of the luxury-yacht lifestyle evolving to the West Coast.
Legacy building: While others showcase a boat, we capture the moment, the moment behind the boat, the moment ahead of the boat. That’s what we tell.
6. What We’ll Be Doing at FLIBS 2025
Exclusive yacht tours: Filming mega-yachts, capturing their unique designs, tech, ambiance — sharing with our audience the next-level marine lifestyle.
Content creation & live coverage: From social media snippets to in-depth videos, also networking stories behind-the-scenes.
Brand engagements: Hosting friends of Catalina Crew, meeting with mega-yacht brokers, exploring strategic partnerships — especially as we push Marina del Rey as a West-Coast hub.
Educational outreach: Highlighting the intersection of philanthropy, youth ocean-access programs, beach cleans, local community impact—tying back to the “It’s Bigger Than Us” ethos of Catalina Crew.
7. Final Thoughts
FLIBS isn’t just a boat show — it’s the epicenter of global yachting for one week. For Catalina Crew, this year’s event marks a vital step in our journey: from local Marina del Rey operator to global brand bridging east and west, leisure and luxury, lifestyle and legacy.
As the next big global sports and cultural events loom, the West Coast must show up. Catalina Crew will be there, and we’ll be telling the tale!
CATALINA CREW | Live to Tell the Tale.
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