Illustration and Design by John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
Client: Informa Markets
For information about the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show visit FLIBS.com
This year's map is a three page centerfold spread!
I continued my ongoing work for the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show by revising the illustrated map covering Bahia Mar, Las Olas Marina, and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Dock layouts shifted. Tent locations moved. Exhibitor areas required fresh placement. Sponsor logos needed to be added, removed, or repositioned throughout the composition. The Swimming Hall of Fame portion demanded significant attention this year. Major site changes including a new building, a completely redesigned pool, and the dramatic high dive platforms all had to be represented accurately.
The map retains the show's established color zone system. This creates a clear navigational hierarchy that works well for an event as large and complex as FLIBS. Visitors can identify the general area they want to reach and then narrow their focus to specific docks or exhibitor zones. Clarity and ease of movement matter critically here for both guests and exhibitors, and this system delivers both.
I focused the illustration primarily on the official show footprint rather than surrounding areas. Docks carry lettered keys. Land based features receive numbered keys. Recurring amenities like restrooms and services appear as consistent icons. These choices keep the map clean and readable. They also ensure the piece performs equally well across printed programs, on site signage, and digital platforms throughout the event.
From 2010 through the present, with the exception of 2021, I have served as the primary map illustrator and designer for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. I work closely with Informa Markets, formerly Show Management, to evolve the look, usability, and precision of the show's cartographic materials each year. My maps appear as the official printed show map, within the FLIBS mobile app, on exhibit signage, and as transit and foldable guides. Over the years I have adapted styles, software workflows, and presentation formats as the show has grown in size and complexity. My goal remains consistent. Balance technical accuracy with artistic clarity so attendees can find exhibitors, boats, services, and key features without frustration, all while reinforcing the premium brand experience of FLIBS.
If you have attended the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and used these maps, whether in print, on signage, or in the app, you have seen how strategic map design elevates a major event. Great visual wayfinding improves user experience, strengthens brand perception, supports marketing goals, and enhances audience engagement across large scale environments. Whether you are planning a future show, a corporate event, or a branded experience that needs clear, compelling visual communication, custom illustration and thoughtful map design can make a meaningful difference. I invite you to explore the rest of my portfolio for additional examples.