Membership Categories


Classes of membership

Membership of IFBSO comprises of three classes:


Organiser Members

Organiser Members shall be full members of IFBSO being a legally incorporated organiser of one or more boat shows or recreational marine trade shows of international, national or regional status at least one of which shall, at all times, be a Boat Show Member of IFBSO, and shall also include Candidate Boat Show Members.

Organiser Members shall be divided into two classifications:


Boat Show Members

Boat Show Members shall be those boat shows or recreational marine trade shows of international, national or regional status which have been introduced to membership by their relevant Organiser Member. Boat Show Members will strive to be compliant with the IFBSO’s Code of Excellence and the relevant show(s) will need to have been established for a minimum of three or more years and are expected to submit an external audit, or complete and submit the IFBSO audit template. Boat Show Members shall be entitled to one vote per boat show.


Candidate Boat Show Members

Persons or entities who are Organiser Members of IFBSO, who aspire to using best endeavours to being compliant with at least the Basic Minimum Standard as per the selected criteria taken from the existing IFBSO Code of Excellence, and who shall be mentored by a Boat Show Member or Director for a period of three years and/or three editions of the show to be enrolled as Candidate Boat Show Member, before being able to be confirmed as a Boat Show Member. Candidate Boat Show Members shall not be entitled to vote at general meetings of IFBSO and cannot stand for a position on the Executive Committee.                                              


Sustaining Members

Persons or entities who whilst not engaged directly in the business of organising shows or events are engaged in a business or trade associated with the recreational marine trade industry which shall appear to the Executive Committee as sufficient to constitute eligibility for membership within this class.Sustaining Members shall not be entitled to vote at general meetings of the Association.


Honorary Members

Persons (other than corporate bodies) as the Executive Committee shall elect to this class of membership. Honorary members shall be elected for life and are not subject to paying a membership fee. Honorary Members shall not be entitled to vote at general meetings of the Association.


Membership fees for the different classes of membership will be advised on during the application process.