Two events that showcase the industry on either sides of the Atlantic – but how do they differ and what to expect if you are visiting them both.
With the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) over for another year, it’s time to look forward to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, or FLIBS, and take a little look at what differentiates these two spectacular international boat show events. Arguably the two greatest industry showcases on the global yachting calendar, MYS and FLIBS may be run by the same organising body, but they have significant differences, not only in structure but in atmosphere.
The Monaco Yacht Show: A Superyacht Spectacular
The Monaco Yacht Show showcases a fleet of large, recently-launched superyachts in an exclusive and glamorous arena. With 120 yachts up to 100m in length, an average yacht length of 50m, and with 50% of the fleet less than two years old, MYS is expressly targeted at a superyacht audience and buyers interested in larger yachts, while also showcasing supercars, water toys, and luxury goods to complement the yachting lifestyle.
With a show pitched resolutely towards VIP yacht buyers and yachting professionals, the Monaco Yacht Show carries an undeniable air of refinement and prestige, with a high ticket price unashamedly targeted at an elite demographic. The show runs in Port Hercules for four days, with sophisticated VIP lounges throughout the venue and glittering parties thrown by yacht brokerages for their clients in the evenings.
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show: Yachting Nirvana
Over the Atlantic on the palm-lined shores of Florida, things are very different. The largest in-water boat show on earth, this international boat show is an extraordinary celebration of all things marine, with a vast range of vessels on show, from tenders and sport fishers up to 250-foot superyachts. Running across three million square feet over seven venues and with different zones for different boating markets, FLIBs has something for everyone.
There’s an astonishing energy to FLIBs, with its floating cocktail bars and live entertainment, fishing clinics, and even huge indoor wave pools showcasing the newest superyacht toys. There’s plenty of superyacht glamour and VIP parties for the elite crowd, but the affordable ticket price and variety of exhibits attract boating enthusiasts of all types, drawing over 100,000 attendees through the gates each year and creating a festival-like atmosphere along the docks. The show runs for six days – which would still never be enough time to see it all!
The Similarities
The dramatically different styles of the Monaco Yacht Show and the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show is just another reminder of how the ‘new world’ and ‘old world’ often do things differently. Both events have an extraordinary energy and atmosphere, but they are very different energies indeed.
What does remain the same, however, is the focus of these international boat shows: yacht sales. The yacht brokers are out in force at both events to showcase their fleet, with locally-based American brokerages like Worth Avenue Yachts holding the home advantage at FLIBS. Superyacht clients enjoy the ultimate VIP experience at both shows, enjoying exclusive yacht viewings as well as privileged show transfers and tours of the event. Both events act as a barometer for the health of the superyacht industry overall, as the summer season ends and the yachting world prepares for the winter season.
Ultimately, both international boat shows are exceptional choices to exhibit and view some of the finest luxury yachts on earth. For serious yacht buyers, a visit to both MYS and FLIBS ensures you are seeing the very best yachts for sale on both sides of the Atlantic while enjoying the very different flavour of these two incredible events.
