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This year marks a major sea change for the Fort Lauderdale
International Boat Show—one that probably won’t be noticeable to the
thousands of yachting enthusiasts who attend it. The biggest in-water boat show
in the world is now under new management. But the new boss doesn’t plan to fix
what’s not broken. "We are improving it around the margins," said Efrem "Skip"
Zimbalist III, chairman and CEO of Active Interest Media (AIM), the
California-based group that purchased Yachting Promotions and its Show
Management operation last winter. Kaye Pearson, who has long been associated
with the Fort Lauderdale show, stayed on as a consultant. "The biggest
change is that we’re not going to have a hurricane this year," Zimbalist
said. 
A freak late-season storm, Hurricane Wilma, blew through Fort
Lauderdale right before the 2006 edition of the boat show. Thanks to the heroic
efforts of the Show Management team and hundreds of exhibitors working around
the clock to repair the damage, the postponed show went on. Unfortunately,
representatives from some shipyards in Europe and Asia were forced to cancel
their plans to attend. But this year, "They’re all coming back," Zimbalist said.
"It’s going to be the biggest and best show ever." (Click image to enlarge)
The Superyacht Builders and Designers tent, the air-conditioned oasis of
international style where designs for the world’s largest yachts are on display,
will be filled to capacity once again. An amazing array of multimillion-dollar
megayachts will line the show docks. (Turn the pages of this guide for
ShowBoats
International’s exclusive preview of these luxury
vessels, ranging to nearly 200 feet in length.) Tenders, toys, engines,
electronics—everything needed to fully equip the yacht of your dreams—can be
found in the show’s six different locations.
 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show Preview: Must-See Megayachts
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2007: America's Premier Show
Underway: The Show Must Go On
Underway: Endless Summer
New & Notable: Natural Progression
Northrop and Johnson Yachts-Ships, Inc.
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