Economy & Business

Marine Industry

Marine commerce is the leading industry in Greater Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, accounting for more than 134,000 jobs and $10.78 billion in total economic impact.

With more than 300 miles of waterways, marinas, and marine manufacturing and repair facilities, Greater Fort Lauderdale is a world-renowned port of call for the yachting industry.

The City also hosts the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, an annual event with an economic impact of $650 million.

Tourism Industry

Tourism is Greater Fort Lauderdale’s second largest industry, employing 114,386. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau reported a record-breaking year in 2008, with
more than 10.8 million visitors spending $8.69 billion.

Florida’s first Ritz-Carlton opened in Fort Lauderdale in 2008 and the W Hotel opened in 2009.

Trade & Business Development

Fort Lauderdale has emerged as one of the fastest growing markets for global trade, with more than 40% of local businesses engaged in or supporting international commerce. The City remains at the forefront of South Florida’s emerging “Internet Coast,” a region that is home to more than 6,000 high technology firms.

A growing list of nationally-recognized corporations have established business operations in Fort Lauderdale with corporate or Latin American headquarters, including: AT&T, AutoNation, BankAtlantic, Citicorp, Citrix Systems, Galaxy Latin America, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft Latin America, Motorola Latin America, Republic Industries, South African Airways, Spherion Corporation, SportsLine.com, and Voicestream Wireless.

Ranking Fort Lauderdale as one of the “100 Best Places to Live
and Launch” a business, CNN/Money reported:

". . . Fort Lauderdale has felt less impact (from the real estate market) thanthe regions in and around Miami. The hottest businesses here are a reflectionof the subtropical climate and locale. Pleasure boat construction and services are a major sector, while the tourism industry, in general, stays strong, thanks in large part to the Canadians and Europeans attracted to the weak dollar. What's more, a 600,000-square-foot convention center plays host to trade shows that bring a variety of industrial leaders from all over the country in contact with local businesses. Besides the usual pleasures to be expected from a city by the sea (sun, surf, sailing and swimming), Fort Lauderdale offers a lively downtown, with museums, galleries, live music, theater and fine restaurants. And for sports-crazed fans, there are no less than seven pro teams to root for in the surrounding area.”