As the boat show cleanup crew loads the last of the floating docks to be hauled away and stored until next year and crew and industry alike finally recover from an extremely busy boat show, we now have time to look back and reflect on the success of the event.
Capt. Walter Rowan of M/Y Major Wager sent Dockwalk his opinion on the show:
“The best indicator [of the success of FLIBS 2010] I saw this year came from the people within our industry. Much more so than last year, energy levels were high, as was general enthusiasm.
It’s no secret that the yachting industry experiences the same fluctuations as most others; good and bad years are to be expected. Last year seemed lethargic and idle. This year, the feeling was one largely of hope for incipient recovery, namely the release of tightly held luxury dollars.
Perception is particularly paramount within our industry as we do not have a tangible value. Even the private jet business has a viable purpose in transporting executives in an efficient manner that enables more productivity. Our objectives exist on a more abstract level, as it’s difficult to place a value on pleasure and relaxation. Builders, brokers, captains and crew need to continue efforts to restore the overall positive mood of yachting and in turn boost the industry itself. We should all be conscious of the fact that yachting is fueled by one source: owners. The greater the owners’ contentment [to yachting], the better for us all.”
What is your take on the 2010 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show – was it a success and where do you think the yachting industry will go from here?