With preparations for the forthcoming ICOMIA/IFBSO congress in Sanremo at the end of May 2023 almost complete, it is interesting to look back to where it all started. The organisation that was to become IFBSO in 1964 was the brain child of Jose Mario Maso who as an exhibitor at the Barcelona Boat Show in 1963 invited a number of presidents of other established boat shows in Europe to meet and discuss the formation of an international body which would promote the different interests of boat shows around the world. During the meeting in Barcelona it was decided to call a meeting of all known boat show organisers in Europe to London in September 1963 which was attended by over 30 delegates.

Among the items considered at the first meeting were a draft constitution, in preparation for the formal incorporation of IFBSO in 1964, a proposed time-table of international boat shows in order to seek to avoid conflicting dates and criteria for recognition of boat shows as "international". The Chairman of the meeting in London in 1963 stated in his welcome address that "boating was international and nothing but good could derive from this interchange of trade and exchange of ideas". This sentiment is still as true today as it was 60 years ago and the annual gathering of IFBSO members at congress is regarded by many as the most important and enjoyable membership benefit. The exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience amongst IFBSO members is alive and well and one of the main topics for discussion at this year's congress will be the future of boat shows under the heading "Vision 2035" as well as sharing insights into producing sustainable boat shows and infrastructure.