International Yacht Vacations & Charters Magazine reports:

Show Management went live with temporary Website "www.flibs.net" this morning to offer ongoing information updates. The 46th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show announced that the 2005 show will open on Thursday, November 3. The show will run through Sunday, November 6. one day shorter than originally planned.

As of October 28th, show organizers have already confirmed more than 850 boats for in-water and on-land displays. “The timing of the rescheduling of the show was driven by availability of show sites, and we are heartened by the industry’s response in working with us to make it happen so quickly,” said Kaye Pearson, president of Yachting Promotions, Inc., producers of the show.

Major boat builders from around the country and around the world have confirmed participation in the 46th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Thursday, November 3 – Sunday, November 6.

Travel and Hotels
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau reports that approximately 90% of hotels will be operational within five hours of the restoration of power.  Power is already back on in many areas of downtown Fort Lauderdale and more hotels are coming on-line hour by hour, including the Bahia Mar Beach Resort.

Travel Guard International, the nation’s leading provider of travel insurance and assistance services, is providing free travel services for visitors to the upcoming show whose travel plans may have been impacted by the rescheduling of the show due to Hurricane Wilma. Emergency travel counselors are available to help show attendees rebook flights, change hotel reservations and reserve rental cars. Call 1 866-4CIERGE (866-424-3743) and mention the show for free assistance 24/7.

Airports
All three of South Florida’s major airports and all three general aviation airports are open.

Gasoline
With Port Everglades back on line, the gasoline supply is flowing to South Florida’s gasoline stations. As electrical power is restored by the hour, more and more gas stations are opening up in Fort Lauderdale and throughout the area, and wait times are decreasing.

YV&C News Desk tried to contact a number of brokers for their opinions on the subject. Interntional Yacht Collection, a yacht and charter management company whose headquarters are based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida had a voice greeting announcing that their office would be closed for business and employees until Monday, October 31st. It was not possible to reach other brokers in Ft Lauderdale by phone at the time when this report was filed, Friday morning. The Sacks Group and Merle Wood & Assocaites, both based in Ft Lauderale were not answering their phones Friday morning.

Jamie Edmiston of Edmiston & Company who was in London this morning said "We are very saddened with the situation in Fort Lauderdale and the other hurricane affected areas of Florida. As you know the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is one of the most important events in the world and we look forward to participating again next year." Edmiston, headquartered in Monaco has its U.S. office in Beverly Hills, California.