Vancouver Boat Show moves venue, changes management for 2026

Boating BC has confirmed several changes for the 63rd Vancouver International Boat Show, taking place from 14 to 18 January 2026.

The event will relocate to the Vancouver Convention Centre West due to the temporary closure of BC Place for the Fifa World Cup next year, which takes place in the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. That venue will be closed for several months as part of preparations for the football tournament.

The Vancouver Boat Show will provide an insight into the marine market, following a tumultuous period that has seen President Trump’s tariff policies cause widespread market uncertainty.

The last time the show was held at this location was in 2011 during BC Place’s roof replacement ahead of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. The on-water portion of the show will remain at Granville Island, with shuttle services running between the two locations.

“We are very excited to be in the Vancouver Convention Centre for this year,” Bruce Hayne, executive director of Boating BC, tells Boating Industry Canada. “This will give the show a new and fresh look for this year, and we expect significant interest from existing and new exhibitors alike.”

New management for Vancouver Boat Show

Canadian Boat Shows has announced that the Boating BC association will assume full management of the event starting in 2026. This decision follows the overlap in timing and logistics with the Toronto International Boat Show, which is also produced by Canadian Boat Shows. The next edition of the Toronto show runs 17 to 25 January 2026.

“I’m very excited for Boating BC to take over the show management. After working on this show for 23 years, I feel a real sense of commitment to the show and its exhibitors,” Linda Waddell, president of Canadian Boat Shows, tells Boating Industry Canada. “I know this is the right time to pass the management along, and I feel very proud of what we have been able to accomplish over these many years together.”

“Linda and her team have been a huge asset to Boating BC and the show for many, many years,” says Brendan Keys, board president of Boating BC. “We have had a tremendous working relationship with Linda and her team, making the show the largest in Western Canada. I think there are some great opportunities ahead, and we are ready to take on this challenge and continue the legacy of an amazing show for consumers and the industry.”

Boating BC has confirmed that Amanda Henschell, the current show manager, and several others who have previously worked on the event will continue in production roles.

Although the 2026 Vancouver International Boat Show will coincide with the Toronto International Boat Show, it will not overlap with the Seattle Boat Show (31 January to 8 February 2026), allowing for dual participation from vendors and visitors.