The U.S. Superyacht Association at FLIBS 2025: Week in Review

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 — Kickoff & Class v. Flag

The week officially launched with Preview Day in the USSA Pavilion, featuring dedicated spaces for our exhibiting members including: Cross Chartering Yacht Transport, Fairhaven Shipyard, Marina Casa de Campo, and Yachting Pages Media Group.

We simultaneously opened the USSA SkyLounge at Bahia Mar, featuring gorgeous seating arrangements graciously furnished by Perennials Sutherland and Baker McGuire, as we welcomed Reardon Yacht Consulting, Costa Rica Tourism Board, Verge Yacht Design, and Robert Allen Law as partner sponsors for lunch.

That afternoon, the inaugural Class v. Flag Symposium took place in the Bahia Mar Commodore Ballroom, sponsored by Milo Group, Turks & Caicos Islands, and South Bank Marina. Industry experts explored the relationship between Flag States and Classification Societies, clarifying how collaboration ensures yacht safety, compliance, and certification across the global fleet.

The evening wrapped with a lively SkyLounge Reception, also brought to you by Milo Group, Turks & Caicos Islands, and South Bank Marina, where members and sponsors celebrated a successful first day at the show.

Sponsors:

Thursday, October 30, 2025 — Smooth Sailing and Global Networking

The weather cleared, and USSA Pavilion exhibitors welcomed FLIBS guests on the first official public day of the show.

The morning began with a Continental Breakfast sponsored by SF Marina Systems USA, welcoming guests with fresh coffee, conversation, and new connections.

The evening’s Reception, sponsored by the Costa Rica Tourism Board, added a tropical flair to the festivities, highlighting the international reach and collaboration of the Superyacht Industry.

Sponsors:

Friday, October 31, 2025  — Annual Meeting & Celebration

Friday began bright and early with the much-anticipated 19th Annual USSA Breakfast Meeting, presented by Engineered Yacht Solutions at the Bahia Mar Commodore Ballroom. The meeting opened with a captivating live acoustic rendition of the National Anthem by Malcolm Flavell.

Members reflected on the Association’s achievements, reviewed relevant superyacht industry trends prepared and presented by outgoing Chairman Bert Fowles, welcomed the incoming Board of Directors, and honored the 2025 award recipients:

• The Young Professionals in Yachting Award, presented by Katie Hagan of YPY and FHG Marine Engineering, awarded to Casey Noble 
• The Captain Mark Drewelow Award, presented by Julie Berry of CBRE Marina Group, awarded to Rob Ceravolo
• The Gertrude Denison Woman of the Year Award, presented by Alex Anagnostis of Total Marine Solutions, awarded by Ken Denison to Patience Cohn of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida
• The Chairman’s Award, presented by Bert Fowles to the USSA Team: Frank Gernert, Emily Burchwell, Carol Hudson, Avery McQueen, and Skyler Espinoza

Congratulations to our newly elected 2025–27 USSA Board of Directors!

Back at the SkyLounge, a Sponsor Lunch and evening Reception kept the conversations going and the energy high.

Sponsors:

Saturday, November 1, 2025 — Continuing Connections

The weekend opened in the SkyLounge with a Continental Breakfast sponsored by Pacific Yacht Management, creating another opportunity for relaxed networking and new partnerships as the Pavilion and SkyLounge buzzed with weekend activity.

Sunday, November 2, 2025 — Exhibitor Appreciation & Farewell

The show concluded with the Exhibitor Breakfast in the USSA Pavilion, celebrating our exhibitors and their incredible contributions to another successful FLIBS.

The mild weather held through the finale of the show at 5 p.m., when the traditional boat show horns rang out across Bahia Mar — a fitting close to another outstanding year at FLIBS.

Thank you to our members, exhibitors, and sponsors for making FLIBS 2025 such a success.
We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events — and at next year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

To view the presentation deck from the USSA 19th Annual Meeting, click here. 

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