Ah yes, it’s that time of year again. When the summer season has ended, people are jumping ship (no pun intended) and everyone comes together to take part in the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS as it has been rightfully shortened). This year marks the 56th annual FLIBS and it’s no wonder why after all this time that people still flock to attend it. With Fort Lauderdale, FL being the ‘Yachting Capital of the World’ why would you go elsewhere. Whether you’ve been before and you are now a regular attendee or this is your first time checking it out, there are always a million and one reasons to attend the show from November 5th -9th, but here are the Top 5 that we think are note worthy.
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Emerge Yourself in Yachting Culture
Whether you’re new to the industry and you’re trying to get a feel for what you’re getting yourself into, or you’ve been in the industry for decades, it’s always nice to jump head first into something new and/or remember why you love what you do. During FLIBS you will encounter people from all over the world, every type of boat and luxury item known to man and get a real feel for the lingo, the personalities, the lifestyle and the partying (yes, West Marine we’re talking about you!).
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Keeping Up to Date in the Yachting Industry
The yachting industry is constantly changing, so staying up to date on the ever changing ways of the lifestyle seems pretty ingenious if you’re in it to win it. Whether that’s attending some of the knowledgeable seminars, or just plain going up and speaking to the booths and learning about new products on your own free will, it won’t disappoint – and you never know when it will come in handy.
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Networking – Yacht Crew, Yacht Brokers, Yacht Owners, & Suppliers & Vendors
Don’t be afraid to go out there and mingle. Hundreds and thousands of people are there who work in and around the yachting industry. This is the best way to put a face to the name if you deal with specific companies while overseas, it’s a great way to find new companies that can offer you a service you are in the market for, it’s a great way to meet captains and fellow crew who you may or may not see in the Caribbean this winter. Either way, networking is the glue to this industry and you can never have too many contacts so go out there and meet new people and further your own career, while potentially meeting a life long friend.
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Potential Yacht Employment Opportunities
Walking around the largest in-water boat show in the world, and dressing the part of a future crewmember, is a sure way to say you’re keen and eager to join the yachting world. Approach yachts and shake hands with captains, introduce yourself and stand out from the sea of CV’s they’ve got floating around as they’re about to hire new crew. If that doesn’t work, why not attend the job fair that FLIBS puts on – it doesn’t get any easier than that.
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… Because You Just Plain Want Too
Believe it or not, but there is a reason people flock to this boat show from all around the world, because it’s the biggest and it’s the best. I dare you to look up the events section on their website and find one thing that doesn’t interest you. If it’s not for their Intro to Underwater Photography then why not go just to check out the beautiful yachts, snoop around the booths and ogle at the new toys of 2015/2016. There are several businesses involved with yachting who set up camp there for the week (like us, so make sure you come visit and book in for a new course) and they love interacting with like-minded people. Because you never know, you could end up docked beside them one night in St. Maarten.
