Informa Global Exhibitions announces new president of U.S. boat shows

Informa Global Exhibitions, a yacht show organizer and partner in many trade and consumer exhibitions, announced the promotion of Andrew Doole to President of U.S. Boat Shows, including the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Miami Yacht Show and Palm Beach International Boat Show — three of the world’s largest in-water boat shows — as well as the St. Petersburg Boat Show and Suncoast Boat Show in Sarasota.

Doole has been integrally involved in the production, sales and growth strategies for the boat shows for 36 years, most recently as Vice President and General Manager of U.S. Boat Shows for Informa. His career in boat show production began in 1982 after he immigrated to Florida from London and joined Show Management, where he rose over the years from Vice President of Sales to Chief Operating Officer. Informa purchased Show Management in 2017 and named Doole Vice President/General Manager of U.S. Boat Shows.

“As the global leader in yacht show production, Informa values the extraordinary knowledge and industry relationships that Andrew Doole brings to our U.S. Boat Shows,” said Ken McAvoy, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development for Informa Exhibitions.  “Andrew’s vast experience in the many aspects of boat show production, coupled with his leadership skills, are invaluable assets to our boat show business as we continue to innovate, invest and expand.”

In his role as President, Doole is responsible for overall coordination of these complex exhibitions, which span government relations, industry partnerships, exhibitor relations, sales, production and strategies for future growth. The company’s Fort Lauderdale-based U.S. Boat Shows division employs a full-time staff of 60, which swells to more than 200 with part-time staff during the shows.

“I assume the position of President of Informa’s U.S. Boat Shows with a strong sense of optimism about the company’s future,” said Doole. “These exhibitions are considered the best in the world because of Informa’s commitment to innovation and constant improvement. In addition to leading the company’s daily operations and working with our team members to uphold Informa’s standards in all aspects of our business, my goals as President include ongoing enhancement of the show experience and strategic growth.”

As an active member of Florida’s marine industry, Doole earned the distinction of longest-serving member of the International Super Yacht Society’s board of directors. He also has served on the boards of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and Fort Lauderdale’s Winterfest.