FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (Oct. 30, 2020) – The 61^st annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), the largest in-water boat show in the world, along with show organizer, Informa Markets, show owner, Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) and NBC Sports Group, has awarded Viking Yachts’ 54 Convertible with the Best of Show award on Thursday, Oct. 29^th.

Viking Yachts has consistently introduced new and exciting yachts with multiple generations in various size ranges in the 50-to-60-foot sportfish boat genre. The 54 Convertible presents an eye-pleasing profile that’s unmistakably Viking Yachts, with signature design traits such as a gently sloping unbroken S-shaped sheer, aggressively raked stem, double chines, hull-side vents and deftly placed exterior feature lines. The three-stateroom, two-head open bridge yacht pushes the owner/operator convertible to the highest levels of engineering, performance, accommodations and sportfishing capabilities.

The Best of Show award is given to the most innovative new boat model on display at the 2020 boat show that encompasses a variety of elements, including performance, design, technology and architecture. The winner was selected by an elite panel of independent, well-regarded judges including: Matt Caldwell, President & CEO of the Florida Panthers Hockey Team; Craig Jackson, CEO of Barrett Jackson Auto Auctions; John Staluppi, auto magnate, boating enthusiast and prominent superyacht owner; Ricky Carmichael, former professional Motocross Champion, stock car and Nascar driver; and Josh Jorgensen, sportfishing mega-influencer and star and host of BLACKTIPH.

With fierce competition this year, Viking Yachts’ 54 Convertible contested against other exciting new debuts at FLIBS for the Best of Show title, including Monte Carlo Yachts’ 76 Skylounge; Ocean Alexander’s 27 Explorer; Azimut Yachts’ Magellano 25 Metri; Mangusta GranSport 33; Invincible Boats’ 46 Catamaran; Intrepid Powerboats’ 409 Valor; and Riviera Yachts’ 64 Sports Motor Yacht.

“Winning the FLIBS Best of Show award this year is an incredible milestone, especially after what our boat builders have been through over these past seven months,” said Pat Healey, President and CEO of Viking Yachts. “The Viking 54 Convertible is a one-of-a-kind boat and an accomplishment of all of our previous mid-size sportfishing boats. No other manufacturer has built more of these boats in the past 20 years. Having the facility and the team we have is what makes this boat different. FLIBS is the king of all boat shows taking place in the Yachting Capital, and to debut the 54 Convertible here during such a special year was only right."

Modeled after NBC Sports Group’s North American International Auto Show Special, FLIBS and the Best of Show Awards will be featured as part of a one-hour network special showcasing a behind-the-scenes and insider’s view of the 61^st annual show highlighting FLIBS’ magnitude, extraordinary vessels, debuts, technical innovations and performance reviews, as well as the luxurious lifestyle attractions. The special will air on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 4:30 p.m., on the NBC Sports Network in over 90 million U.S. households, plus on-demand via NBC Sports and NBC Sports YouTube. The NBC Sports program is sponsored in part by Lexus, the Official Automobile partner of FLIBS.

“Every year builds more and more momentum and excitement surrounding the title of Best of Show,” said Andrew Doole, President of Informa Markets U.S. Boat Shows. “This year’s winner, Viking Yachts, distinctively showcases the range of vessels we have on display, from superyachts to sportfish boats to express cruisers. We are thrilled to have Viking Yachts take home the trophy for their impressive 54 Convertible.”

Viking Yachts’ 54 Convertible will be on display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show through Sunday, located at the Bahia Mar face dock – Green Zone, D Dock 432.

The 61^st annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show features more than 500 exhibitors on display showcasing the latest in boats, marine technology and accessories. Other highlights of the show include Kids Fishing Clinics, conducted by Captain Don Dingman and Hook The Future, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 12 pm and 2 pm, and on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 1 pm and 3 pm, at the south gate entrance of Bahia Mar. Additionally, returning for its eighth year, is the world famous AquaZone (located in-water between the F Dock and G Dock), an exciting and engaging attraction designed to give boat show-goers an upfront and personal experience with a variety of water sports and innovative marine products.

All Frontline Heroes from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County are invited to experience the show for FREE by showing their official ID at the main show entrance, at the Las Olas Entrance or at the Credentials Tent at 5^th Street and A1A. Acceptable forms of ID for admittance are: Hospital ID, Firefighter, First responder badge (Police, Fire/Rescue, BSO, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), and paramedics). Offer is valid Thursday - Saturday from 4 pm to 7 pm and Sunday all day with Family Day.

Weekend show hours are: Friday – Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.

For images of the 2020 FLIBS Best of Show Awards, click HERE.

About The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

The 61st annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show will be held October 28 – Nov. 1, 2020 in the Yachting Capital of the World. Owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) and produced by Informa Markets, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) is recognized as the largest in-water boat show in the world and is sponsored in part by Lexus, the Official Automotive of FLIBS, Swiss luxury watchmaker, Ulysse Nardin, the Official Timekeeper of FLIBS, Douglas Elliman Real Estate and Whitehaven wine, the Official White Wine of FLIBS. FLIBS spans nearly 90 acres across three million square-feet of exhibit space that is connected by an intricate network of water and ground transportation services. The five-day show attracted over 100,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors representing 52 countries with more than 1,300 boats on display in 2019. For more information, visit FLIBS.com.