NBC Sports Group will feature a one-hour network special of the 60th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on Saturday, December 14 at 4 p.m. on NBC Sports Network. The program is a behind-the-scenes and insider’s view of the largest in-water-boat show in the world, which was filmed from October 30 to November 3 at the 2019 event. It will also be available on demand.
The special, part of a three-year deal with the network, will showcase major debuts of the world’s most extraordinary vessels as well as performance reviews and technical innovations in superlative modern boats. Highlights include one of the show’s most eye-catching newcomers, the unveiling of Superyacht Village, a new dedicated marina and on-land exhibition space that displayed the most spectacular yachts in the show reaching more than 300 feet, along with helicopters, personal submarines, exotic and collectible automotive and other luxury items related to the superyacht lifestyle. A myriad of other lifestyle attractions and VIP events will also be showcased, such as the second annual Yacht Chef Competition hosted at the new Superyacht Village.
“The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show showcases more world product debuts than any other boat show in the U.S.,” said Phil Purcell, CEO/president of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, which owns the show. “Sales of everything from paddleboards to mega yachts contribute to more than $508 million in direct sales, and our partnership with NBC Sports gives us an opportunity to demonstrate the show’s overall $857 million statewide economic impact – much larger than any Super Bowl - to a national television audience.”
The NBC Sports Network program also will feature the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show’s “Best of Show” award and trophy presentation ceremony. Created by renowned industrial designer Derek Jenkins, the trophy is presented to the most innovative new boat model design on display that encompasses a variety of elements, including performance, design, technology and architecture. The winner was selected by an elite panel of independent judges including: Ryan Hunter-Reay, Indy 500 Winner and Indycar Champion; Jason Wenig, owner of The Creative Workshop; Francoise Bezzola, Global CMO for Ulysse Nardin; and Ralph Choeff, Principal at Choeff Levy Fischman, P.A.
“Year over year, we explore ways to reach new audiences and share the extraordinary experiences of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show,” said Andrew Doole, president of Informa U.S. Boat Shows, the company that manages and produces the show. “We are thrilled to showcase our 60th anniversary and this year’s exciting new show activations on NBC Sports Network and connect with sports fans around the nation.”
As the largest in-water boat show in the world, FLIBS features boats and attractions of all kinds for everyone who enjoys life by the water. In addition to the display of more than 1,300 boats and 1,000 exhibitors representing 52 countries, the show draws crowds to Hook The Future’s kids’ fishing clinics, the IGFA School of Sportfishing, The Blue Wild Watersports and Marine Art Exposition, and live water toy demonstrations at the AquaZone presented by Nautical Ventures.
Owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) and produced by Informa Markets, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show spans more than three million square-feet of exhibit space across seven waterfront locations including the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Municipal Marina, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Pier 66 Marina, the new Superyacht Village at Pier 66 Marina South, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, all connected by an intricate network of water and ground transportation services.
The 2019 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show was sponsored in part by Delta Private Jets, Ulysse Nardin, Goslings Rum, Whispering Angel, Moet & Chandon, Budweiser, West Marine, LaCroix, Bradford Marine, Tito’s Vodka, Douglas Elliman, Fire Ranger, and Bank of America.
For more information, visit FLIBS.com.
