$1 Billion in Regional Economic Impact That’s Even Greater than the Super Bowl Bump
The 2025 Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show (DBMIBS) wrapped up its 84th edition after a five-day exhibition across six locations in Miami and Miami Beach. The event, one of the largest boat shows in the world and a hub for the newest innovations and boats on the market, brought together consumers, industry leaders, and government officials to connect, explore, and shop the latest in recreational boating.
Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis joined officials from Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, and the City of Miami Beach, along with representatives from the show’s owners, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), show producers Informa Markets, and the International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA), to officially open the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
In his remarks, Governor DeSantis highlighted the significant economic impact of Florida’s recreational boating industry and its vital role in the state’s tourism sector.
The Miami Boat Show is an economic engine for the state of Florida and the U.S. recreational boating market, with nearly $1 billion in regional impact—notably about twice that of the annual Super Bowl weekend’s big football game.
Despite continued headwinds after years of record growth in recreational boat unit sales and a softening in attendance, exhibitors expressed optimism with reports of boat buyers shopping the show for the latest innovations, reinforcing the 2025 market assessment issued by the NMMA in January. Exhibitors reported a high quality of leads generated during the show while acknowledging the evolving economic conditions shaping attendees’ sentiment.
“With Florida as the top boating state in the U.S. and more than $6.5 billion in annual sales of new products, despite the ongoing economic uncertainty being felt across the industry, tens of thousands of boaters attended the show from around the world to see and buy the latest marine innovations from the best brands in the industry— from AI-powered autonomous docking systems to augmented reality navigation to hydrogen propulsion technology—making the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show the global destination for boating enthusiasts,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO, NMMA.
The 85th Annual Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show (DBMIBS) returns February 11-15, 2026. The big news is the return of the yacht showcase component to the Miami Beach location in-water along Indian Creek. Approved by the City of Miami Beach, this move enhances the experience for exhibitors and attendees while preserving the show’s multi-jurisdictional presence across Miami and Miami Beach. The plan leverages City-owned waterfront along Collins Avenue north of 41st Street, incorporating strategic measures for traffic flow and sustainability. Meanwhile, the Miami Beach Convention Center & Pride Park, Museum Park Marina, Venetian Marina, and IGY Yacht Haven Grande will continue serving as key venues.
Personally, I will miss the water taxi transportation provided to and from Miami Beach to Miami to the yacht show. It was a fun way to commute on the water and experience the boating lifestyle while enjoying the Miami skyline and waterfront mansions along the way. And the best part was no traffic stress traveling by water taxi.
Let’s see how the city controls the traffic issue in 2026. Miami is becoming more jam-packed than ever before with tourists and increased residents from the great migration of people post-pandemic. Almost weekly there are major marquis events in Miami attracting crowds locally and globally to the Magic City.
