News About the Yacht Display Portion of the Show Returning to Its Original Miami Beach Location Shared During Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Miami, FL (February 12, 2025) — Today at the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the 2025 Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show®, preliminary plans for next year’s show were announced. During the ceremony, Andrew Doole, Informa Market’s President of U.S. Boat Shows shared, “I’m pleased to announce that in 2026 the yacht portion of the boat show will make a return to Indian Creek on Miami Beach — the location that featured the yacht display for decades, up until 2018.”

The ribbon cutting, marking the kick-off of the 5-day 2025 boat show, took place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, one of the show’s six Miami-Dade locations. Government officials, community stakeholders, exhibitors and attendees convened with show organizers at the main entrance — beneath a 52-foot powerboat suspended 15 feet in the air, adjacent to the Progressive Experience in Pride Park.

In addition to Doole’s welcome address, the program began with the national anthem performed by Miami Beach Senior High School students and featured remarks from key officials, including Freddie Peterson, General Manager of Miami Beach Convention Center, Paul Flannery, CEO of the International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA), Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), Commissioner David Suarez representing the City of Miami Beach, Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela representing the City of Miami, and David Whitaker, President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. The program also included remarks from Bruce Berman, the organizer for the inaugural Miami Beach Cupid Splash, which is sponsored in part by Informa Markets and takes place February 16 to raise funds for the Biscayne Bay Recovery Fund.

Doole’s announcement about the 2026 yacht display in Indian Creek, came on the heels of a vote by the City of Miami Beach Mayor and Commission on February 3 approving the proposed plan, which utilizes City-owned waterfront along Collins Avenue north of 41st Street. The agreement approved by the City calls out specific requirements to mitigate traffic and to support environmental sustainability.

“We’re grateful to the City of Miami Beach for their vote of support allowing us to pursue the Indian Creek location and return to our roots. It’s early and plans are still being developed, but we look forward to sharing more details soon,” remarked Doole. Preliminary plans detail a site map for the 2026 display that will be half the size as in years past — a reduced footprint from approximately one mile in length to a half mile.

Doole further commented, “The return to the original Miami Beach spot for the yacht display was prompted by exhibitor and attendee feedback who expressed their preference for the Indian Creek location. It’s been great to share this exciting news with our exhibitors and boat show family.”

The Collins Avenue location is directly across from iconic Miami Beach Hotels, like the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc. “The show’s luxury yacht manufacturers and their upscale clientele enjoy staying at the fine hotels within walking distance of the yacht show across the street,” Doole said. The boat show contributes nearly $1 billion in regional economic impact. “The show’s increased presence on Miami Beach in 2026 will be a further boon to the local economy as visitors patronize hotels, restaurants and attractions.”

Doole further elaborated, “Moving the yacht show, currently featured in downtown Miami at Herald Plaza, will bring the show’s two primary locations — the in-water yacht display and the on-land portion at Miami Beach Convention Center — closer together. Having both locations on Miami Beach will greatly increase the overall experience for our show attendees by cutting down the travel in between. We appreciate the hospitality shown to us by our Herald Plaza partners for the past three years. We’ll ensure a smooth transition for everyone as we facilitate the move.” The show’s other locations at Museum Park Marina, Venetian Marina and IGY Yacht Haven Grande will stay the same.

Speaking on the details of the agreement struck with the City of Miami Beach, Doole remarked, “Boaters have great respect for our marine environment and for marine life. We want to keep the waterways beautiful for all to enjoy for generations to come.” As part of the deal, boat show organizers will contribute $250,000 annually to the City of Miami Beach for waterway and spoil island clean-up. “Our goal is to leave the waterways in better condition than when we found it.”

Another aspect of the agreement with the City of Miami Beach calls for submission and approval of a traffic and mobility plan. Informa hired traffic engineering firm Kimley-Horn to design a comprehensive mobility plan to mitigate disruption on Miami Beach roadways during the time of the show and during set-up and breakdown. An important distinction from the operational plan in 2018 is that the dock-building process will not require a lane closure on Collins Avenue. Dock materials will be transported by barge instead of trucks. Additional traffic mitigation measures call for restricting load-in and load-out activities during peak hours, maintaining current bridge opening schedules and utilizing shuttles and rideshare options for attendees.

The Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show® is owned by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA) and is produced by Informa Markets. With an 80+-year history and among the largest boat and yacht shows in the world, the event features more than 1,000 exhibitors and attracts over 100,000 attendees.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html.

For media inquiries, contact MIBS@teamavoq.com.

About Informa Markets
Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate, and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience, and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services, and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Boating, Pharmaceuticals, Food, Fashion, and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.

About NMMA
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading trade organization for the North American recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce approximately 85 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, marine accessories, and gear used by millions of boaters in North America. The association serves its members and their sales and service networks by bringing them together to expand domestic and international sales and marketing opportunities, support access to waterways, explore new technology and business solutions, and ensure a sustainable future for the recreational marine community. As the largest producer of boat and sport shows in the U.S., NMMA connects the recreational boating industry with the boating consumer year-round. Learn more at www.nmma.org and get engaged with us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

About the International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA)
The International Yacht Brokers Association is the world’s largest yacht brokers association, with members in over 40 countries. Our stated goal is to promote professionalism and cooperation in the yacht sales industry. We accomplish those goals through education, networking, and the removal of barriers to commerce. Visit www.iyba.org for more information.