2024 FLIBS Wrap Up

Northrop & Johnson set the final diamond in the crown of its 75th year during the 2024 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which also happened to be the 65th edition of the show, in late October into early November.

The week-long event began on Monday, October 28, at N&J’s annual FLIBS captains’ party. More than 100 captains and senior crew from N&J’s fleet and throughout the industry joined N&J and partners/sponsors, Northern Trust, NetJets, Exclusive Resorts, Starboard Card, Four Seasons Yachts, Bahamas Tourism Board, Tim Davis, Perennials, Verge, Zeelander, Legend Yacht Transport, Newcoast, Sage Fort Lauderdale, MHG, Liquid Yachtwear and Benetti, at Bo’s Beach House. The mood was electric as the live band played and the guests mixed and mingled oceanside.

The show started on Wednesday, October 30, as Northrop & Johnson unveiled its brand-new stand to the delight of clients, brokers, and staff alike. Ten luxury yachts were on display at N&J’s extraordinary stand. These yachts included the 191′ (58.22m) Trinity superyacht UNBRIDLED, for sale and charter, for sale and for charter, the 164′ (50m) Delta superyacht VICTORIA DEL MAR, for sale and for charter, the 164′ (50m) Westport superyacht VALINOR, for sale and charter, the 154′ (46.93m) Admiral superyacht STAR DIAMOND, for sale and for charter, the 143′ (43.5m) Feadship luxury yacht TRUE NORTH, for sale, the 142′ (43.31m) Palmer Johnson luxury yacht LADY J, for sale, the 131′ (40m) Westport luxury yacht FAR NIENTE, for sale, the 122′ (37.19m) Delta luxury yacht GALE WINDS, for sale and for charter, the 84′ (25.89m) Numarine luxury yacht EXIT STRATEGY, for sale, and the 48′ (14.6m) Viking sports fish FISHTALES, for sale. Additionally, Northrop & Johnson had a multitude of yachts in and around the show that were available for tours and viewings.

Northrop & Johnson also welcomed clients at a luxury villa at 821 Solar Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Clients were able to utilize valet parking at the villa. Then they were welcomed into this stunning estate with full hospitality and access to all of Northrop & Johnson’s partners and sponsors, including Northern Trust, NetJets, Exclusive Resorts, Starboard Card, Four Seasons Yachts, Bahamas Tourism Board, Tim Davis, Perennials, Verge, Chopin, Zeelander, Legend Yacht Transport, Newcoast, Sage Fort Lauderdale, Antonius Caviar, Benetti and Jacquart and their offerings. From the estate, clients could take N&J’s Intrepid tenders to and from the show or utilize private car service.

The events didn’t stop with the show itself. Northrop & Johnson hosted a variety of exciting and entertaining soirees, celebrations and more throughout the show. On Wednesday, a charter yacht hop welcomed charter brokers aboard yachts in N&J’s display at the show, and a private Young President’s event was held at the villa. On Thursday, UNBRIDLED hosted a pre-Halloween happy hour for special guests. And on Friday, a 225-plus guest event capped off an incredible show. Celebrity chefs Janine and Jeff McInnis of Top Chef fame welcomed clients into the party with a glass of Champagne and a bite of caviar. In true island style, The Bahamas brought an esteemed Bahamian chef to tickle tastebuds, and a junkanoo band got the crowd on their feet.

The final two days of the show were busy with clients visiting N&J yachts and meeting with brokers and team members at the N&J stand. As in typical South Florida fashion, rain drizzled Sunday evening as the yachts blasted their horns, signifying another show’s end.

Northrop & Johnson is so thankful to all clients, brokers, team members, partners, and sponsors that helped make our diamond-anniversary FLIBS a success. We are already looking forward to 2025 and the shows on the horizon. If you’ll be in Palm Beach, FL, in March or Newport Beach, CA, in May of 2025, connect with your N&J broker or team member and visit us at the shows. We hope to see you on the docks soon.