Great Barrier Reef Region draws great interest at Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
The ability for superyachts to help preserve the Great Barrier Reef for our future generations by participating in the Great Reef Census was a prime message broadcast to a global audience of more than 110,000 yachting and boating enthusiasts from 52 countries at the 60th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this year.
We received great interest from vessels keen to assist in our Great Reef Census – a partnership between Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef and Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, highlighting that surprisingly approx. 40% of the natural wonder has never been documented. By just visiting the Great Barrier Reef, superyachts are in a unique position to greatly assist in its future preservation by contributing to an overall snapshot of this area. Eco-tourism is high on the agenda for superyachts, boat builders and charter agents and this was verified by the huge support pledged during the show.
“Of course our ability to provide every possible service and maintenance aspect a superyacht may require whilst homeporting and cruising in the region is crucial information for our visiting yacht owners and captains. We ensure that this is conveyed along with the very unique destination appeal of not only the amazing ocean activities, but also the diverse cultural, rainforest and bespoke land activities,” said Ms Drake.
A highlight of the trip was attendance at the International Seakeepers Society Founders Dinner event where Manager Joanne Drake accepted an award on behalf of the Great Barrier Reef Legacy for their work on board SY Merlin collecting plastic particles on a voyage from Port Douglas to Sydney for scientific research. The event was held at an exclusive private estate on the waterway canals in Fort Lauderdale honouring world class photographer/diver Amos Nachoum as the 2019 Seakeeper of the year. Sharing a table with Glen Allen – ISS President, Richard Snow – CEO Seakeepers, Captain John Crupi of MY Dorothea III, Christelle Holler -Tahiti Private Expeditions and Efrem “Skip” Zimbalist III – President of FLIBS management was another great opportunity to speak of our Great Barrier Reef region.
The show draws an impressively diverse, international crowd of buyers, sellers and new entrants to the boating community who come to see the latest that the global boating industry has to offer and to do business. One thousand exhibitors and more than 1,200 boats are on display each November at the exhibition widely regarded as the industry’s top annual boating event.
“The continued growth and strength of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the largest boat show in the world and the largest single event in the State of Florida, is only possible because of the coordinated effort of the entire community,” said Efrem “Skip” Zimbalist III, president of Show Management.
The Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef spruiked the delights of the region, it’s ideal location and its high-rating capability particularly in light of a number of international events scheduled for the next three years: Larry Ellison’s SailGP in Sydney in February 2020, the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, and the America’s Cup in NZ in 2021.
“This year’s Fort Lauderdale boat show was a great success,” Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef Manager Joanne Drake said. “We had a good cross section of inquiries from many different vessels, their owners, boat builders, agents and captains. We’re forecasting millions of dollars in boat-show related visitations to the South Pacific by the end of 2021.”
“Larger boats were also definitely in play during the five days and our ability to have a prominent and iconic Superyacht Australia stand for meeting and greeting prospective clients was a definite advantage,”
“The success of the show for us is due in large part to the teamwork of the many very talented, dedicated Australian representatives and excellent new partnerships formed with the Pacific. We wish to thank Kitty McGowan, President of the US Superyacht Association for the invitation to speak on behalf of our region to a global audience at their stage in the Superyacht Pavilion and as part of the Pacific Partnerships panel”
Commemorating 60 years this year, FLIBS unveiled the new Superyacht Village, an enclave for superyachts and superyacht enthusiasts featuring the most spectacular yachts in the show. With a new dedicated marina and on-land exhibition space spanning 3.5 acres, Superyacht Village accommodated yachts measuring up to 400 feet and featured exhibits by renowned shipyards and yacht toys, including helicopters, personal submarines, exotic and collectible automotive, and other luxury items to showcase the superyacht lifestyle.
FOR MEDIA INFORMATION:
Joanne Drake
Manager
Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef
Ph: +61 458 794 001
Email: jdrake@superyachtgroup.com
Carrie Carter
Chairman
Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef
Ph: +61 429 391 046
Email: info@superyachtgroup.com