Strong Economic Signs Fan Optimism as FLIBS Opens

The following article appears in today’s Sun Sentinel:

By Arlene Satchell

Sun Sentinel

Fort Lauderdale’s annual marine “Super Bowl” sails back into town Wednesday and early indicators from exhibitors and organizers point to another stellar run for the five-day extravaganza.

Helping to fuel the wave of optimism for the 58th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is an already strong year of boat sales, rising consumer confidence and an upbeat economic outlook.

“We’re expecting a strong selling show,” said Andrew Doole, vice president and general manager of Informa Exhibitions, the event’s producer. “Sales coming into the show are good. We’ve had to change some boats around because boats are sold before they’ve even gotten here.”

More than 100,000 enthusiasts from around the globe are expected to attend the show, which is said to pack a bigger economic punch in the tri-county region than the National Football League’s signature game when it’s been held in South Florida.

Foot traffic during the show is likely to be brisk provided the current good weather holds.

“The online ticket sales are very strong. They’re running 16 percent ahead of last year,” Doole said.

Enhancements include a mile of new floating docks, new “cushy” waterproof flooring in most exhibition tents and new electrical equipment. Directional signage affixed to metallic totem poles and color-coded zones are expected to help visitors navigate more easily through the thousands of boats on display. New digital software will enable visitors to print a downloadable “walking list” of exhibitors and products.

“Everybody is really excited,” said Phil Purcell, president/CEO of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida of the show’s huge business potential. “The European shows did well and it’s been a good predictable year [of boat sales] and the U.S. economy is chugging along nicely.”

The Fort Lauderdale-based trade group owns the boat show.

“I’m feeling good and incredibly positive,” said Bob Denison, president of Denison Yacht Sales headquartered in Fort Lauderdale. “The weather looks like it’s going to cooperate and the economic indicators look awesome.”

Denison, a longtime boat show exhibitor, will have 42 new and pre-owned yachts on display.

For 2017, Denison said he expects to finish the year with a 20 percent increase in sales. In recent weeks, following Hurricane Irma, he’s seen an uptick in interest for sailboats and catamarans from owners who lost vessels.

“The economy is doing very well, manufacturing is up, unemployment is lower and people are spending,” said Kathy Latham, co-owner of parts supplier Latham Marine in Fort Lauderdale.

“We expect the show to be very successful, unfortunately due to all the hurricanes that have damaged or destroyed a lot of boats,” Latham said. “Those people will be looking to repair, reconstruct or replace those boats so there should be a lot of spending.”