MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis is in South Florida Wednesday, where he spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Miami International Boat Show.
The 2025 Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show® kicked off Wednesday with the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Miami Beach Convention Center, which featured elected officials, community leaders and industry executives.
“You know, if you live in Colorado and you don’t know how to ski -- well, if you live in Florida, you kind of have to get used to fishing and boating. It is what we do, right?” DeSantis said.
The boat show draws thousands of visitors from around the world to Miami Beach each year, generating more than a $1 billion economic impact for the state.
“This marquee event delivers a significant boost to Miami and Miami Beach’s tourism and hospitality industries, welcoming the global boating community for an exciting five-day(s),” a news release from event organizers stated. “This year, the show is proud to partner with the inaugural Miami Beach Cupid Splash as its official charitable partner for the 2025 event.”
The boat show will be held from Wednesday through Sunday at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Pride Park, Herald Plaza, Venetian Marina, Museum Park Marina, and Superyacht Miami at IGY Yacht Haven Grande Miami.
“The next five days are the recreational boating industry’s flagship event in the world,” Frank Hugelmeyer, of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, said.
This year’s show will feature more than 1,000 boats of all sizes and spans six different locations from the beach to downtown.
“For 2024, Florida broke yet another record for tourism,” DeSantis said.
The governor used his appearance to tout Florida’s latest tourism numbers while also announcing new legislation which, if approved by the State Legislature, would prohibit boaters from having their vessels searched without any probable cause.
“This strikes an appropriate balance between ensuring compliance with boating laws and reducing unnecessary disruptions for law abiding boaters,” DeSantis said.
His stop in Miami Beach comes weeks before spring breakers are expected to flood the South Beach streets.
DeSantis highlighted his work with local authorities, providing them with support from the Florida Highway Patrol.
“We are not going to have our streets overrun, we’re not gonna have businesses threatened or damaged, and we’re gonna make sure that the people who live here are gonna be able to enjoy being down here,” he said.
Click here for more information about this year’s boat show.