The Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) announced the launch of RefitX, a new two-day conference and exhibition dedicated to the yacht refit industry that will debut Oct. 27 and 28 during the 2027 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. MIASF is the owner of FLIBS and looks to make RefitX into a robust educational program and exhibition featuring shipyards, skilled trades, designers, engineers, technology providers, manufacturers, and other specialized marine professionals together to exchange knowledge, address shared challenges, and explore opportunities shaping the future of the industry.
“South Florida is one of the world’s leading centers for yacht refit, repair and marine services, and RefitX comes at a time of renewed investment and attention across the U.S. maritime industry,” said Phil Purcell, CEO and president of MIASF. “As shipyards invest in infrastructure, technology and workforce development, there is a real opportunity to bring the industry together to exchange ideas, address shared challenges, and help shape what comes next for the refit sector.”
RefitX launches as federal attention and investment in domestic shipyards, vessel repair infrastructure, workforce development, and maritime manufacturing continue to grow. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration Small Shipyard Grant Program increased from $8.75 million in fiscal year 2025 to $35 million in fiscal year 2026, supporting capital improvements, new technology and workforce training across U.S. shipyards.
“Refit is an important and evolving part of the marine industry, and we are excited about the opportunity to create a dedicated forum for the professionals working across this space,” said Andrew Doole, president of U.S. Boat Shows at Informa Markets. “While the full RefitX will launch in 2027, we’re excited to introduce elements at FLIBS 2026 that will give attendees a preview of the topics, discussions, and opportunities they can expect next year.”
The day-to-day realities of executing complex refit projects and the larger trends shaping the sector will be addressed during RefitX, with education at the core. Attendees can expect keynotes and expert-led discussions, panels addressing major issues facing the refit industry, real-world project case studies, and conversations around emerging technology and innovation.
Additional details about RefitX, including confirmed dates, programming, speakers, registration, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, will be announced in the future — with a sneak peek during this year’s show. Learn more at www.refitx.com
Image by RefitX.
