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HISWA TE WATER JOINS IFBSO AS FEDERATION CONTINUES MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
Northern Europe’s largest in-water boat show becomes latest full Boat Show Member as IFBSO expands its European network
Lelystad, Netherlands – December 2025 – The International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO) is pleased to announce that Hiswa te Water, the largest in-water boat show in Northern Europe, has joined the federation as a full Boat Show Member, further strengthening IFBSO’s presence in the region and adding one of Europe’s most influential in-water shows to its international network.
The announcement follows a highly successful 40th edition of Hiswa te Water in 2025 at Bataviahaven in Lelystad. Visitors and exhibitors reflected on the anniversary edition with great satisfaction with more than 425 brand-new boats from all over the world in the harbour. Visitor numbers once again surpassed 30,000.
As the show looks ahead to its 41st edition, taking place from Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 September 2026 in Bataviahaven, Lelystad, joining IFBSO is a natural next step in its international development.
Exhibition director Arjen Rahusen : We are honoured to be part of this select group and look forward to learning from other successful boat shows around the world. Naturally, we also want to actively contribute to further strengthening and stimulating the success of these shows.
Hiswa te Water is investing in more sustainable boating through initiatives such as The Green Route, introduced at the 2025 edition of the show. This dedicated route guides visitors past exhibitors specialising in electric and hybrid propulsion, from outboard motors to complete systems, all clearly marked on the show map and on the pontoons. With The Green Route, Hiswa te Water and their collaborator, Marcel Schaap, make it easier for visitors to discover innovative low- and zero-emission solutions and the shipyards, suppliers and installers driving this transition.
“We are delighted to welcome Hiswa te Water into IFBSO,” said Niels Klarenbeek, Chairperson of IFBSO. “The show has a long track record, a loyal visitor base and a strong reputation among exhibitors. Hiswa te Water brings valuable experience in staging a major in-water show in a unique harbour setting, and we look forward to learning from their team and supporting their continued growth.”
As a full Boat Show Member, Hiswa te Water will be eligible to participate in IFBSO’s working groups, attend the annual congress and networking events, contribute to best-practice projects and collaborate with fellow organisers from around the world. Its team’s knowledge of running a large, mature in-water event will add real depth to the federation’s collective expertise – and, in turn, IFBSO’s global network will provide Hiswa te Water with new ideas, benchmarking studies and collaborations to support its continued growth.
About Hiswa te Water
Hiswa te Water is the largest in-water boat show in Northern Europe and one of the Netherlands’ leading consumer boat shows. Held at Bataviahaven in Lelystad, the event brings together more than 400 new boats from around the world, along with a wide range of marine equipment and services. The show attracts more than 30,000 visitors and offers a unique opportunity for consumers to experience boats on the water in a relaxed, harbour-side setting. The 41st edition of Hiswa te Water will take place from 2–6 September 2026.
About IFBSO
The International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO) is a global association representing the interests of boat show organisers worldwide. Founded in 1964, IFBSO promotes excellence in boat show management, fosters international cooperation, and advances the interests of the recreational marine industry. The federation's members collectively attract over 1.5 million water-sport enthusiasts to their shows each year, driving excitement for the marine lifestyle and supporting boat sales worldwide. As of January 2026, IFBSO represents 33 boat shows in 17 countries.
For more information on IFBSO membership, visit www.ifbso.com.
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