FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The 64th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show set sail Wednesday morning.
It began around 7:30 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Broward Convention Center.
There were also several other locations across the city where more than 1,300 boats were on display.
From small vessels to large, expensive yachts, Local 10 News reporter Saira Anwer spotted many boats that were worth well over $1 million.
The event is expected to bring more than 100,000 people from all over to Fort Lauderdale.
Over the course of five days, local leaders say the event will provide a significant boost to South Florida’s marine and hospitality industries during the off-season.
According to Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, the boat show has created a number of jobs at local hotels, restaurants and other businesses are benefiting economically.
“It’s also an economic engine and over $1.8 billion in economic activity is generated due to the boat show -- not just the sales itself, but the buildup, the provisioning, the staffing -- all of that is part of the economic drive that comes through this event,” he said.
Attendees will be able to enjoy some of the best in the marine industry from the Aqua Zone, which is basically a big pool that has been set up in the middle of the convention center where officials will be providing hourly live demonstrations.
In addition to some of the boats that are on display at Bahia Mar, there’s also a super yacht village that has been set up near Pier 66.
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs until Sunday.
For more information on the several locations where boats will be displayed, click here.