February 10, 2026

After the announcement in the February 3rd edition of Boating Industry Canada News Week Digest that a deal had been reached for Informa Markets to buy the Toronto International Boat Show, I’ll be looking around the Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show® which is also produced by Informa Markets, with more attention to detail.
 
How will the Toronto show differ from past shows when Informa Markets, with all their resources, takes it over? I should acknowledge that Linda Waddell and Cynthia Hare who together, have managed TIBS with a steady hand and a lot of personal attention to detail, will still be involved in the 2027 TIBS show, but I have to think there will be some differences and I hope, improvements.
 
Informa Markets creates platforms for various industries and specialist markets. Their “About” statement explains that they 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.
 
I assume with Informa Markets’ size and scope, the Toronto show will increase in sophistication and complexity.
 
Informa explains that they connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global industries, including Boating, Pharmaceuticals, Food, Fashion, and Infrastructure.
 
Informa Markets describes their business as the world’s leading market-making company, saying that they bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them thrive 365 days of the year. So, after I leave the Miami Show I’ll be looking for ways the Miami experience continues.
 
With a million square feet of indoor exhibit space, the Toronto show said to be North America’s largest indoor boat show already. But the Miami Show will sprawl out of the Miami Beach Convention Center, north on Collins Avenue, and south to a new area for sail.
 
The size and various locations will make it seem like a much bigger show but I will certainly be looking for the other aspects of the show experience to see what Informa might do differently in Toronto next January. The boat business invests very heavily in the Toronto show. I’m hoping Informa can build the attendance, broaden the scope of displays and make the show experience more memorable. But it’s already very good at the Toronto Show. I wonder what more they can do? I’ll have my eyes wide open.

Andy Adams – Editor