The 52nd annual Fort Lauderdale international boat show opened on a positive note as Efrem “Skip” Zimbalist III, CEO of Show Management welcomed a roomful of dignitaries and press to celebrate the opening day.

Jack Seiler, Mayor of the city of Fort Lauderdale, Steve Moynihan, founder and president of HMY Yachts, James Currie, Director of Federal Legislative Affairs for the National Marine Manufacturers Association, Paolo Vitelli, Chairman of the Azimut Benetti Group and Theo Hooning, Secretary-General for SYBAss, made up of panel of speakers.

Skip Zimbalist opened the show on a positive note saying that the number of exhibitors was up 10% over the previous year; a sure sign of improving health in the marine industry. Advance ticket sales were ahead 9% over the previous year and although Mr. Zimbalist explained that this was not always a reliable measure, a travel agent in the Fort Lauderdale area provided information that hotel bookings were up between 25 and 30% over 2010 levels.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show has a greater economic benefit to the city than hosting a Super Bowl!

21 greeters were spread throughout the show to assist people in finding boats and exhibits that they were interested in and along with an improved map, the show now has an iPhone App that people can use to navigate their way through the show.

Innovations at this year’s show included the Trawler Fest which gathered an impressive group of trawlers in one area and new for 2011 was the 16,000 ft.² SYBAss (Superyacht Builders Association) Pavilion and super yacht exhibition. Theo Hooning who is the Secretary General of SYBAss provided the audience with information about the super yacht industry and its importance to boating globally.

Long-range weather forecasts for the show dates of October 26 through 31 called for high temperatures and thunderstorms, but the opening day enjoyed glorious sunshine and the rain held off.

Photo: The SYBAss Pavillion in the Superyacht display area at the 52nd Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. This show broke the all-time record by having 5 superyachts over 200 feet in length on display.