June 10, 2025

Boating BC is pleased to announce several exciting changes for the upcoming 63rd Vancouver International Boat Show being held January 14 – 18, 2026.

The show will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West for the coming year as BC Place will be closed for several months due to the FIFA World Cup of Soccer tournament next year. The show will begin at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, January 14 to allow exhibitors and show services a little extra time to get ready in the new venue. The show was held in this location once before when BC Place had its roof replaced for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2011. The on-water show will continue to be held this year at Granville Island with shuttle busses available to take visitors between the two venues.

“We are very excited to be in the Vancouver Convention Centre for this year”, stated Bruce Hayne, Executive Director of Boating BC. “This will give the show a new and fresh look for this year, and we expect significant interest from existing and new exhibitors alike.”

Canadian Boat Shows, the show producer, and Boating BC, have agreed that the association will take over the management of the Vancouver International Boat Show starting in 2026. The move comes at a time when the new dates and location of the show overlap with the Toronto International Boat Show, also produced by Canadian Boat Shows.

“I’m very excited for Boating BC to take over the show management. After working on this show for 23 years, I feel a real sense of commitment to the show and its exhibitors”, said Linda Waddell, President of Canadian Boat Shows. “I know this is the right time to pass the management along and I feel very proud of what we have been able to accomplish over these many years together.”

“Linda and her team have been a huge asset to Boating BC and the show for many, many years”, said Brendan Keys, Board President of Boating BC. “We have had a tremendous working relationship with Linda and her team making the show the largest in Western Canada. I think there are some great opportunities ahead and we are ready to take on this challenge and continue the legacy of an amazing show for consumers and the industry.”

Boating BC is pleased to announce that some of the team who have worked on the show previously will be continuing to help produce the show moving forward including Amanda Henschell, the show manager.

While the dates of this years’ show will overlap with the Toronto show, it will not conflict with the Seattle Boat Show giving vendors and consumers alike the opportunity to attend both shows this year.

New features and exhibits will be included in this years’ show to help attract existing and new consumers to the show. Creating an atmosphere of “Everything related to the boating and water lifestyle” will help to attract new customers and help to foster lifelong boating enthusiasts. Afterall, BC is better on a boat!