Article

The 2025 Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show  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 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 previous weekend’s big football event in New Orleans.

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.

“This year’s MIBS was outstanding! We benefited from a buyer that is on strong financial footing with a positive outlook for the future. MarineMax and our manufacturing partners put forth aggressive pricing to capitalize on existing inventory. We are extremely pleased with both deals written at the show and potential deals that were started at the show. Congrats to the organizers on driving the right people to the show,” shared Chuck Cashman, Chief Revenue Officer of MarineMax.

“Miami was another strong show for our brands and teams,” said Dave Foulkes, Brunswick Corporation CEO. “Despite continued economic uncertainty, we've seen some encouraging signs from consumers and dealers at the early-season domestic and international boat shows enabled by our investments in innovative new products and our industry-leading global teams.”

“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.

As the show continues bringing the best of boating to South Florida each year, one of this year’s most exciting announcements is the much-anticipated return of the yacht showcase to Indian Creek in Miami Beach. Approved by the City of Miami Beach on February 3, 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.

"With the 2025 show wrapping, our team is already looking towards 2026," said Andrew Doole, President of U.S. Boat Shows, Informa Markets. "The return of the yacht showcase to Indian Creek in Miami Beach will enhance the experience for both exhibitors and attendees. We’ve received positive feedback from many exhibitors, who are excited about the opportunities this move brings. This move sets the stage for an exciting future for the Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show, reinforcing the region’s role as a leading global boating destination."

“The yacht showcase provides a global stage for business development, networking, and showcasing the best in yachting from the boats themselves to the emerging technologies,” said Paul Flannery, COO, IYBA. “We look forward to returning to Miami Beach.”

“The new venue for the yacht component along the Indian Creek waterfront will create a more seamless experience with the Convention Center location of the show and bring new opportunities to immerse the boating and yachting community in the social and entertainment backdrop of Miami Beach,” echoed Hugelmeyer.

As part of its ongoing commitment to marine conservation and community engagement, the show named Cupid Splash as its official charitable partner. Sponsored by Informa, Cupid Splash hosted a fundraising event benefiting the Biscayne Bay Recovery Fund, managed by The Miami Foundation. DBMIBS guests had the opportunity to support the cause by making a donation during the ticket check-out process. On Sunday, February 16, Cupid Splash culminated in a pledge-and-plunge challenge at Collins Park Beach.

On Thursday, Feb. 13, NMMA hosted the 2025 Miami Innovation Awards during the annual Industry Breakfast, recognizing 12 companies for their contributions to marine technology and innovation. Presented with Boating Writers International (BWI), the awards celebrate manufacturers introducing forward-thinking solutions. A full list of winners is available on NMMA.org.

The 85th Annual Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show (DBMIBS) returns February 11-15, 2026.