The Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS) Wraps Up a Successful 2025 Showcase

26 Mar 2025

Palm Beach / Florida / Yacht / Boat Shows

Caroline Blatter

This year the Palm Beach International Boat Show made waves with its first-ever five-day format, expanding business opportunities and attracting record-breaking international participation. Situated along the scenic downtown West Palm Beach Intracoastal Waterway, this year’s event delivered an enhanced experience for exhibitors and attendees alike. 

With strong industry engagement, PBIBS continues to set new benchmarks, drawing strong attendance and hosting an expansive selection of vessels, marine products, and over 600 exhibitors. PBIBS has become an essential destination for both professionals and clients seeking the latest in boating and yachting, with high-profile yacht debuts, and insightful industry panels. 

In partnership with Superyacht Times, the show hosted a line-up of industry-focused seminars providing insights into emerging trends. For the first time, the event also featured a Q&A session with officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Coast Guard, offering guidance on charter operations and foreign crew employment aboard U.S. and foreign-flagged vessels.

This year’s show saw more than 600 exhibitors displaying a variety of notable vessels, and the largest participation of international exhibitors to date, including 16 Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) exhibitors and eight Large Yacht Brokers Association (LYBRA) members, further highlighting PBIBS’s standing in the global marine industry. 

Jonathan Beckett, CEO of Burgess and LYBRA member, added, “the Palm Beach Show is one of the most important events on our US radar. It’s where the buyers are, and our sales continue to show how vital this market is.”

Newport based SSG correspondent Samantha Quinn attended the show, receiving a warm welcome from superyacht captains and crew interviewed for feedback on new and recommended services – the backbone of our guides and online platform. Services represented at the show were pleasantly surprised to find out they had been recommended, others were very interested in getting the recommendations they needed to be endorsed as a Captain’s Recommended Service.

Sam attended the much anticipated ‘Captain’s Chat: The Unspoken Truths in Yachting Culture at the Superyacht Show Pavilion, where well recognised inspiring Captain Kelly and Captain Kerry both shared their thoughts and ideas for what they hope to see change in the industry to improve crew well-being. Their discussion included thoughts on how to handle substance abuse, burn out, and safety along with mental health.

The discussion extended to the audience, where current Captains, crew and industry professionals shared their own view points on what the industry as a whole needs to do working together to bring about reform and accountability. 

Beyond its impact on the marine sector, PBIBS remains a significant economic driver for the region. “The success of PBIBS extends well beyond the docks,” said Alyssa Freeman, Executive Director of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC). “Each year, the show generates substantial revenue for Palm Beach County businesses, supporting the local economy and reinforcing the importance of the marine industry to our community’s growth.”

In alignment with its commitment to industry development and community collaboration, the boat show organizers donated over $300,000 to the MIAPBC grant program. These funds support marine-related educational initiatives, workforce development programs, and non-profit organizations dedicated to sustaining and advancing the industry in Palm Beach County and beyond.

As PBIBS continues to evolve, planning is already underway for the 2026 show, scheduled for March 18th - 22nd.

For more information on the Palm Beach International Boat Show, visit https://www.pbboatshow.com.

In Pictures