2020 Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show: POLL

Grateful for your words and sentiment Gratitude!
I am of the same opinion.

As for the survey, I voted No because I am not going. But it has nothing to do with COVID or show protocol, I just don’t go to that show.

Good discussion though.

I wish you all the best, I believe that going forward and learning to live with COVID is in the best interest of not just economy but emotional strength and progress.

By the way, what if the show goes on and no one buys a boat. Why is it so bad the the show generates revenue for itself and supports the local economy?

Do you have something against boat show entrepreneurs?

As it stands now, I won't be attending - but not because of COVID. As far as that's concerned, MASK-UP and enjoy. . Maybe some of the indoor venues will be somewhat problematic, but hell, I go to Publix, Home D, and Lowes often [have mask-will travel]. If one has underlying conditions, then perhaps they should skip it. . .

As a side-bar for RER, who went to CA and won't be attending - perhaps if the air quality continues there, he'll change his mind!!!

The larger (size) manufacturers are feeling the opposite. How do they disinfect each motoryacht or sportfish between every person that comes on board to look at one. How do they do everything. Most don't have their boats ready for the show due to covid manufacturing delays and etc. etc. etc. A lot of manufacturers are from other countries and everyone sent to the show would have to quarantine for 14 days first before attending the show or after going back from the show. Most of the ones I hear of are not attending.

We have the largest US builder and another not attending and several non-US builders not doing so. I obviously am in contact with a very limited number of people, but I haven't talked to a single person attending from outside the US. Having just flown two people from Italy to Fort Lauderdale and two from Fort Lauderdale to Italy with both couples still in quarantine, I can't imagine an Italian builder attending nor do I imagine it's easier for others. Traveling to and from Australia to the US is more difficult.

Quarantine is a definite consideration. Many of the people working the show will have to go into quarantine upon returning home. Sales can probably be set up to tele-commute, but what about crews and mechanics, etc. Will they lose 2 weeks pay or will the businesses pay for their time at home?

Is it an international boat show if no customers come from outside the US? We've got stores in Miami really missing their international customers.

We will see but it takes boats and builders and customers from all over the world and so far there's no indication that's all materializing.

Speaking of International, Lars, speak up? Are you coming?

As almost all the shows in Europe are cancelled or postponed, I don´t think you will see many European builders at FLIBS either. It is interesting times anyway, since consumers are now adapting to other ways of making their buying decisions, from milk to yachts. Perhaps a new kind of boat shows or showings will come out of it..? Myself, I am locked in at home, but just bought another vintage boat to take care of...

Although I had a great 2019 FLIBS and sold a few, I am a hard NO on going in 2020. Last year was unbearably hot and couldnt fathom wearing a mask if the conditions are the same. I sell for a few manufacturers from Maine to Florida to Australia and have not heard any news to what they are doing.

Last week I got an email from Hatteras promoting their GT65 Carolina. No mention of the upcoming FLIBS. No "see it" or "see us" at the boat show.

Show Management website lists Hatteras with 7 spaces on F dock for 2020.

And I just got my first email from a broker with "space available." I don't think it's the only one.

The go/no go decision will likely be decided by risk level to show goers. For people who are say under 50 and in good health, or who have already run through a bout with Covid 19 unscathed, there would be little risk in attending. I think anyone who is in a higher risk category should avoid going this year.

No, will not be attending this year. The risks do not outweigh the rewards and the last few years have been very crowded and time consuming just getting in and out of the show. Perhaps crowds will be lessened this year but will not be going and hoping for a Palm Beach show in the spring; a show much more conducive to completing in 1 day. FLIBS is a much bigger event.

No, as long as a pandemic may hurt or kill people!

Show management lists the origional layout map. There will be A LOT of boats that will not be at the show. The covid shutdowns ensured that the yachts aren't finished in time for the show from MANY builders. Think about it. Asian builders were shut down first for a few months, then Italian/European builders were shut down for a few months, then US builders were shut down for a few months.........Builders are having a hard enough time getting customers boats finished within a reasonable amount of time.

Foolsfolly.

That term came to my mind. I first saw it used on a beautiful bridge. The bridge was built but the road wasn't so it sat over a creek with no road to it. Someone spray painted Foolsfolly on both sides and no effort to cover or remove it was made. That became the name it was known as. Finally after 10-15 years they did build the roads, putting them where they did, mainly to use the bridge.

This survey has consistently shown roughly 3:1 against attending, which is not good for the producers or those who plan to showcase their products. Obviously the producers intend to go forward cause there's a lot of money at stake, but the definitive word will come from Ft. Lauderdale and Broward County. Does anybody know what they're saying? Does anybody know what the current infection rates are in that area? Most medical experts expect a spike from Labor Day festivities coming towards the end of this month which is right about the time the city and county will be making the decision on whether or not to allow it.

"Broward County commissioners gave the go-ahead Thursday to allow the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show to take place amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic."

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article245633560.html

That's way too early given the expected surge in cases from Labor Day festivities that's expected to hit towards the end of the month. The incubation rate is about 3 weeks between infection and symptoms. At this point I can understand a definite "No", but a definite "Yes" at this point seems almost meaningless. Annapolis had their hopes up until about 3 weeks before when they issued the No. Had they decided yes I wouldn't have expected that decision to be made until within 2 weeks. If I were thinking about attending I wouldn't book my tickets until I checked the infection rate one week before at most, and I'd check local records rather than trust numbers from the state.