The 63rd annual Vancouver International Boat Show is going through changes. Boating BC has announced the venue and management for the January 2026 show will be new, fresh but still familiar.
The show will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West this coming year as BC Place will be closed to host the FIFA World Cup tournament. The show was held in this location once before when BC Place had its roof replaced for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2011.
The on-water show will continue to be held this year at Granville Island with shuttle busses available to take visitors between the two venues. The show is being held January 14 to 18, 2026, starting at 12:00 that Wednesday in the new venue.
“We are very excited to be in the Vancouver Convention Centre for this year,” said Bruce Hayne, executive director of Boating BC. “This will give the show a new and fresh look for this year, and we expect significant interest from existing and new exhibitors alike.”
Canadian Boat Shows, the show producer, and Boating BC, have agreed Boating BC will take over the management of the Vancouver International Boat Show starting in 2026. The new dates and location of the show overlap with the Toronto International Boat Show, also produced by Canadian Boat Shows.
The Vancouver International Boat Show when it was held at BC Place.“After working on this show for 23 years, I feel a real sense of commitment to the show and its exhibitors,” said Linda Waddell, president of Canadian Boat Shows. “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.”
“We have had a tremendous working relationship with Linda and her team making the show the largest in Western Canada,” said Brendan Keys, board president of Boating BC. “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 announced some staff who have worked on the show before will continue to produce it moving forward including Amanda Henschell, the show manager.
While the dates of this years’ show will overlap with the Toronto show, it will not conflict with the Seattle Boat Show giving vendors and consumers the opportunity to attend both.
New features and exhibits are being prepared for 2026. The idea is “Everything related to the boating and water lifestyle” in hopes to attract new customers and help to foster lifelong boating enthusiasts. Afterall, BC is better on a boat!