Most boat shows have been cancelled this fall because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Fort Lauderdale show has announced that it will open, as planned, for five days starting Wednesday, Oct. 28. But the show, the largest in-water show in the world, won’t be the same.
This year will be the 61st annual boat show in Fort Lauderdale; the show has never been cancelled. Last year, about 100,000 people attended the show; some 1,300 boats were on display. The show is estimated to have a $1.3 billion impact on the state.
Last week, the Broward County Commission announced that the show, centered at the Bahia Mar, will be held, as scheduled, from Oct. 28 through Nov. 1. But the producers of the show, Informa, have made some changes to keep everyone as safe as possible, following the Global Biorisk Advisory Council standards and CDC guidelines. Here’s what’s new:
For contactless ticketing, you can buy your ticket on line in advance and then use your mobile device to scan it in at one of 16 show entrances.
Then someone will take your temperature as you enter the show. If your temperature is above 100.4 degrees F, you can’t enter.
Everyone must wear a mask at the show.
The docks have been widened and many will be marked for one-way passage to encourage social distancing.
All customer lines will be marked with visual markers every six feet, including entrances, restrooms and food and drink stands.
Informa will clean high-touch points every hour during the show with disinfectant. About 80 percent of the show is outdoors. The tents will be cleaned with an upgraded air filtration system every hour. The entire show area will be cleaned with disinfectant at the end of each day.
Informa will install hygiene stations so people can wash or wipe their hands at spots throughout the show.
No one knows, of course, what the state of the pandemic will be at the end of October. But for the boating industry and its customers, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show will go on. Read more:
