Toronto International Boat Show cancelled in person; going virtual for 2022

Dec 23, 2021

Last Thursday evening, the Toronto International Boat Show (TIBS) has announced that the annual event, cancelled as an in-person show last year but scheduled to be held in-person this January, is again going virtual for 2022. Boaters, exhibitors, and everyone in the community had been looking forward to the landmark event, but the pandemic has once again forced the event online only.

Going virtual for 2022: Unprecedented in its 60+ years, TIBS held a Virtual Show last year for the first time in 2021 attracting more than 35,000 registrations to shop, experience and interact on a digital platform with thousands of product listings, video content, opportunities to connect directly with exhibitors, as well as live seminars and TIBS Live TV. After Thursday’s announcement, the show will once again be online only this January over five days, running January 26 – 30.

Preparations had already been completed for the in-person Show, with move-in set to begin in less than 30 days. Following months of strategic preparation, North America’s Largest Indoor Boat Show was ready to unveil an all-new re-imagined floorplan. 

The event was set to showcase more than 300 exhibitors, plus 250 seminars & workshops inside the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place. A new initiative for the show was the launch of a 5000 square foot Boater’s Resource Centre, featuring 15 industry and government organizations. 

The rapidly developing Omicron variant and newly mandated capacity limitations at large events in Ontario meant that the in-person show could not move forward as planned,

January 22 – 30.  “The COVID Omicron variant is driving dramatic regulation changes across the Province of Ontario,” said Linda Waddell, President & Show Director of Canadian Boat Shows.

“We are very disappointed to be making this announcement today. The forecasted modelling and recommendations specific to indoor gatherings and travel highlighted by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, lead to an increased concern about the well being and safety of our exhibitors, sponsors, attendees and staff.”

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