International Federation of Boat Show Organisers

• May 4, 2026, 10:09:00 AM

BALKANS SEA FAIR ALBANIA JOINS IFBSO, BRINGING THE ADRIATIC'S NEWEST BOAT SHOW INTO THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY

Albania's pioneering nautical exhibition becomes the latest show to join the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers

Amsterdam, 24 April 2026 - The International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO) is pleased to welcome the Balkans Sea Fair (BSF) as its newest Emerging Member — bringing Albania's first and only nautical exhibition into a global community of boat show organisers spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia, and beyond.

Held at Marina Orikum on Vlora Bay's shores, the Balkans Sea Fair is pioneering by establishing a professional maritime exhibition platform in a country that is quickly reclaiming its nautical heritage. With Albania heavily investing in marina facilities, port expansions, and waterfront hospitality, BSF is set to become a key gateway for the Balkan region, linking international yachting brands, nautical gear manufacturers, and maritime service providers with a region gaining increasing prominence across the Mediterranean.

The show's inaugural edition took place in May 2025, and the next edition is confirmed for 16–18 October 2026 at Marina Orikum.

"Joining IFBSO is a historic milestone for the Balkans Sea Fair and for Albania's maritime sector. Our mission has always been to build a bridge between the international nautical industry and the untapped potential of the Balkan region. Being part of this global community not only validates our hard work but also ensures that BSF 2026 will operate at the highest international standards. We are ready to show the world that Albania is the new heartbeat of the Mediterranean yachting industry." – Monica Panozzo, Balkans Sea Fair

BSF 2026: An Ambitious Programme

The 2026 edition signals a significant step forward for the show, with a programme that goes well beyond exhibition stands. BSF 2026 will host an international conference organised by Assomarinas, the Italian Marina Association, bringing leading voices from the global marina industry to Albania to explore the country's emerging role in the Mediterranean market.

A high-level summit in partnership with the Propeller Club Port of Roma and UIR (Unione Italiana Interporti), the Italian national association representing inland ports and intermodal logistics hubs,  will examine the development of Corridor VIII, with a focus on sustainable intermodality and the strategic integration of Balkan logistics hubs into broader European networks. The 2026 programme also includes a dedicated session on female entrepreneurship in the maritime and luxury sectors, and — in collaboration with the Universities of Durrës and Vlorë — workshops and professional meetings designed to connect students with maritime career pathways.

It is a programme that reflects BSF's broader ambition: not just to host a boat show, but to position Albania as a player in the international leisure marine sector.

“The Balkans Sea Fair exemplifies the kind of show IFBSO supports—building a new platform for an emerging market with vision and conviction. We're excited to support their growth. Albania's coastline, marina investments, and strategic location in the Adriatic and Ionian seas make this a market to watch, with BSF at its core.” -  Veda Pretorius, Executive Director, IFBSO

As an IFBSO Emerging Member, the Balkans Sea Fair will have access to the federation's peer network, working groups, and the Boat Show Barometer — IFBSO's annual benchmarking programme — giving the BSF team practical tools and peer insight to support the show's development.