Phil Purcell, President & CEO, Marine Industries Association of South Florida

Phil Purcell, president and CEO of Marine Industries Association of South Florida, spoke with Invest: about the challenges and trends in the marine industry in Florida. He discussed the importance of the annual boat show, utilizing environmentally conscious technologies, and why Florida is the best region globally for boating and yachting.

What have been some of the key highlights and milestones from the last year?

We opened up the manatee plan to protect the manatees and provide access to more slips and docks to create jobs. Florida is the No. 1 state for boating in the country, and in Broward, it’s a $9.8 billion industry. Crossing the New River, whether it’s under, through a tunnel, or over, on a bridge, those things impact our industry and affect the general population, as you have commuter trains that transit throughout Broward. We’re for it, but we’re missing infrastructure. When you’re the third-largest state in the nation and the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the country, you need infrastructure. Those are the types of things we’ve been working on in the last year. We want to ensure there aren’t unintended consequences, as doing nothing is not an option. 

The marine industry is a big economic driver in Florida. How would you describe the state of the industry compared to a year ago?

It’s a time of reflection. Whether you’re in the real estate, automotive, or marine industry, we track all those things. With automobile sales, for example, it used to be that you paid the price listed or they didn’t sell you the car. Now, there are negotiations taking place. It’s the same thing in our industry. Boat sales are strong, but they’ve adjusted. Instead of buying new boats, people will repair and refit their current boats. They’ll own things a little longer, but they’ll put more investment back into the product they own. Either way, it benefits our industry. 

What are some of the primary challenges for the marina and boating industry?

Inflation, be it product price, increased wages, and energy costs, is always a big challenge. Insurance costs are high because of hurricanes, whether for real estate or boats. The unintended consequences of tariffs, as President Donald Trump has proposed, cause uncertainty. We need predictability. The top export in Port Everglades is fuel, and yachts are No. 2. The No. 3 imports in Port Everglades are yachts and boats. We’ll have to wait and see what can be mitigated. 

What emerging trends are you observing in consumer preferences, such as family cruising, fishing, and yachting?

Everything from the yacht charter business affects trends. Most people who charter end up becoming boat owners. A lot of the boats in the 30- to 45-foot range have gone to outboard motors as opposed to inboard motors. That’s been a big trend that manufacturers have adapted to. Electric motors aren’t as big, yet due to cost/availability, horsepower, etc. They are still a niche market. An electric boat may not be a person’s primary boat, but we’re starting to see some traction there.

How has the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show continued to enhance its economic impact and reputation as the world’s largest in-water boat show?

Fall 2025 marks the 66th annual show. We’ve never missed a show, even if there’s a hurricane – we even found solutions and protocols to put on the show during the pandemic. We do it for the benefit of the community. Not only does it have a big economic impact of $1.8 billion on the state, but the hotels, restaurants, Uber, and taxis in Fort Lauderdale also benefit. The FBO and private aviation side of it benefits as well. In 2024, we used seven sites, including the Las Olas marina, a city-owned marina run by Suntex; Hall of Fame Marina; the Tavistock-owned Pier 66; and the Convention Center. Four of the seven sites were redeveloped this year for the show. We’re excited for 2025 as the grand opening of the ballroom and the Omni hotel come online. We will showcase the Omni and the new Convention Center, benefiting Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, creating global awareness. 

South Florida is known as a global hub for yacht repair. What are some innovations or advancements in this sector that have been most impactful recently?

We’ve seen many facilities change hands over the last few years. With that has come new leadership and continued focus on the building blocks that make us the yachting capital of the world. The skilled workforce in our industry is the key component. We pay living wages. Employees can afford to buy homes and cars and take vacations. With the right entrepreneurial attitude, they can start their own business. A huge contributing factor is that you can’t automate refitting and repairing boats. It requires manual labor, and it always will. 

How does MIASF support the growth of middle-class jobs in the marine industry, and what are the key areas of focus for workforce development?

Our Yacht Apprenticeship Program, which helps attract younger potential employees, is in its sixth year. We’re using a lot of different methods and platforms. We have a full-time marketing and social media manager to get the message out. This year, we partnered with Captain Sandy, one of the principal cast members on Bravo’s Below Deck television show, to sponsor Salty Jobs, a video series that complements the Yacht Apprenticeship Program. That has been a real plus because of the viewership she brings; she has also developed a license plate to benefit Captain Sandy’s Charities, “Boating Capital of the World.”

What is the role of sustainability in the marine industry, and how is MIASF promoting environmentally responsible practices?

We started the Marine Research Hub in 2017, an organization that works with universities and the private sector to commercialize and monetize research. We take a company with an idea and help them acquire more revenue and hone their business. Seawalls are one example. We work with an organization called Ocean Exchange, whose mission is to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions for healthy oceans and the marine industry. In South Florida, all the seawalls will have to be raised because of climate change. Traditional seawalls are made of steel rebar and concrete, which creates toxic gases and corrodes the metal. Newer technologies use composite materials, which have a life expectancy of 80 years versus 40 years for traditional materials. A Miami company started this. In Broward, it’s a $1 billion business to amend seawalls by 2050. Statewide, it’s billions of dollars worth of seawalls. Ocean Exchange brings these companies in through the Marine Research Hub every October, awarding several $100,000 awards. It brings solutions that are environmentally driven. 

Community engagement initiatives like the Waterway Cleanup and Plywood Regatta are central to MIASF. How have these programs evolved?

The Plywood Regatta is in its 28th year, and the Waterway Cleanup has been happening for 49 years. The Waterway Cleanup is the biggest environmental event that happens in the Southeast. Over a thousand people come and clean up over 30 tons of garbage. We get kids of all ages, from grade school through college, for the Plywood Regatta to build boats, and we award scholarships based on aptitude, attitude, and grades. It has created awareness of the Marine Industry. Kids with no experience have a fun and safe day to build a boat and participate in and compete. It creates camaraderie between the participants.

From your global experience in the marine business, how does South Florida’s industry compare to other markets worldwide in terms of opportunities and challenges?

There’s nowhere better than Florida for this industry. We’re geographically superior and can operate all year long. Boats from around the globe stop here for repairs, sales, and provisions. We’re a hub for the industry. We’re a jump-off to the Caribbean and the Bahamas and within a three-hour flight from New York, Houston, and Chicago. Over 50% of the large boats from around the world are purchased by American buyers. Entrepreneurs, for example, Jeff Bezos and Zuckerberg, keep their boats here, get them repaired here, and it stimulates our economy.

As you look ahead, what are MIASF’s top priorities and goals for the next two to three years?

We’d like to see the infrastructure issues resolved. Even if a decision is made about a bridge or tunnel, the actual execution is 10 years away. We need to get those things signed off on and get Broward County and Fort Lauderdale to come together to find a solution.