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Recap of the 9th Annual Get Down to Business Lunch to Benefit Easter Seals Florida

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On January 20th, the 9th Annual Get Down to Business Lunch to Benefit Easter Seals Florida took place at the Kravis Center Cohen Pavilion in West Palm Beach. The sold out crowd of over 340 business leaders, philanthropists and entrepreneurs joined together for a day to support a great cause, network, and learn from others.

The event was highlighted by bestselling author of The Fred Factor and keynote leadership speaker Mark Sanborn. “Out of all of the years I’ve done this, there was something extra special about this event. The biggest thing I took away from Mark’s (Mark Sanborn) message is that you never know the impact you can have on someone by doing your best,” says Frigibar Industries, Inc. President and Easter Seals Florida Board Member.

From CEOs to entry-level employees, each person who represents a company can make a significant impact on others by going above and beyond what is considered to be a standard level of service. Mark gave examples of this through the story of Fred, a postman who was more concerned about people’s mail than those who were receiving the mail. His passion and hard work developed into the admiration of all the people he provided services for.

Leadership is often misunderstood as forceful commands by a person in a position of power. “Management is power over people. Leadership is power with people,” said Sanborn, empowering the audience to positively influence employees and others instead of using forceful management.

The theme of working together to accomplish mutual goals was also exampled by the organizing team. “It’s a great and rewarding representation of the power of people working together for a cause greater than themselves in a community,” says Oletzky about the event. Asked what the most rewarding aspect of the event was, Oletzky replied, “seeing everything come full circle and watching how much people enjoyed and got out of what we helped to put together. This event is unlike anything else in the area.”

Over the past nine events, the Get Down to Business Lunch has raised more than $600,000 to directly support the local programs of the Igoe-Amar Child Development Center through Easter Seals Florida. Out of every dollar, 91 cents is used to directly support these programs in the West Palm Beach area.

February brings another opportunity to support Easter Seals Florida during the PGA’s The Honda Classic, which takes place February 22-28. American Honda Birdies for Children is a fundraiser that donates 110% of pledged gifts while fans of the tournament guess the total number of birdies made during the tournament. The winner will receive a brand new 2016 Honda. In the event of a tie, a blind drawing from all of the correct guesses will determine the winner. Additional prizes will be randomly drawn. Donations can be made on The Honda Classic website here.

For more information about Easter Seals Florida, please visit EasterSeals.com/Florida, or contact Heather R. Weisbrod at 561.471.1688 ext. 133 or email at hweisbrod@fl.easterseals.com.

About Frigibar Industries, Inc.

Frigibar Industries, Inc. is one of the longest established manufacturers of marine refrigeration. Frigibar was started in 1971 by Founder and President Sheldon Oletzky, a twenty-one year veteran of the United States Navy and experienced aerospace engineer. In 2011, Sheldon’s daughter Shuly Oletzky took on the role of CEO and President of Frigibar and strives to grow the company’s legacy of providing the best in marine refrigeration. These freezers have taken on a secondary meaning; on-deck fiberglass freezers are referred to by boat builders and owners worldwide as Frigibars. Frigibar provides hand-crafted, marine refrigeration systems of the highest quality.

 

Frigibar Exhibiting at Refit International 2016 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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The Refit International Exhibition and Conference, taking place January 28-29 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is a new trade event from Professional BoatBuilder Magazine. The show will start a day after the International Marina and Boatyard Conference, also held in Ft. Lauderdale.

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Refitting is the process of updating a used boat or yacht to fit the wants and needs of current or future owners. Refitting can include repairing, restoring, mending, and completely renovating a vessel. The Refit International Exhibition and Conference was created to share ideas, information and resources on boat refitting.

The two-day event runs concurrently with an exhibition area, which will include marine refrigeration manufacturer Frigibar Industries, Inc. and is free to attend. The exhibitors will give attendees, including boat builders and enthusiasts, an opportunity to meet with many companies that can help them with projects and restoration. “We want to make sure boat yards and boat builders know that we have products and services that can help them during the refit. We can do custom jobs for refits as well,” says Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky.

Manufacturing marine refrigeration products in Miami, Florida for over fifty years, many boats and yachts around the world proudly utilize Frigibar cockpit freezers, deck boxes, and more, many of which several decades old. Frigibar will discuss how to properly care for units, restore and fix them with the crews and builders at the show. “There are a lot of boatyards in the area that might not be aware that we do more than aftermarket products. We can help them to design and build a custom solution,” says Oletzky.

Not having a retail space, boat shows provide an excellent opportunity for builders and boat owners to meet with Shuly Oletzky and experience Frigibar freezers and refrigerators in person. “I love meeting boat owners and builders to network with and learn about their vessels,” says Oletzky, who learned about the event from US Superyacht Association (USSA) Association Manager Kitty McGowan. Shuly continued, “we invite attendees to come and visit us at Booth 229, and are really looking forward to the show!”

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and like our Facebook page to keep updated throughout the year and see what we’re up to.

Frigibar to Participate in 11th Annual St. Maarten Captain’s Briefing and Golf Outing

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January 25-26, Frigibar will participate in the 2016 USSA St. Maarten Captains Briefing and Golf Outing. The event will center around the superyacht industry, which is a $26B industry worldwide, and the current opportunities and issues related to it. Some of the world’s top Captains and Senior Crew members will participate in the event’s activities and will be available to network with.

This will be Frigibar’s first year participating in the event, and President Shuly Oletzky is excited about the opportunity to learn first-hand from the superyacht captains and their staffs who will be in attendance. “I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity to meet these captains and their Senior Crew members. While exhibiting in the superyacht pavilion at the METSTRADE tradeshow in Amsterdam this past November, I learned a lot about the superyacht industry and how our company can properly serve them. I’m interested in spending some time with the captains and crews, getting to know the other sponsors involved in the event, and having the opportunity to visit some clients while on the island,” said Oletzky.

st-marteenThe two-day event includes networking opportunities, captain’s round table breakfast, pick-up rugby, beach games, a golf outing, awards, and more. For a full schedule of events and to register to participate, visit the registration page here, or contact Kitty McGowan of the U.S. Superyacht Association at 954-608-6966. Email: info@ussuperyacht.com.

About Frigibar Industries, Inc.

Frigibar Industries, Inc. is one of the longest established manufacturers of marine refrigeration. Frigibar was started in 1971 by Founder and President Sheldon Oletzky, a twenty-one year veteran of the United States Navy and experienced aerospace engineer. In 2011, Sheldon’s daughter Shuly Oletzky took on the role of CEO and President of Frigibar and strives to grow the company’s legacy of providing the best in marine refrigeration. These freezers have taken on a secondary meaning; on-deck fiberglass freezers are referred to by boat builders and owners worldwide as Frigibars. Frigibar provides hand-crafted, marine refrigeration systems of the highest quality.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and like our Facebook page to keep updated throughout the year and see what we’re up to.

Happy New Year from Frigibar Industries, Inc.!

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Happy New Year! I want to thank you so much for being part of our business. Whether you’re a customer, partner, employee, friend, or just like to read our blog, I want to personally thank you on behalf of our family. Since taking over the business from my father Sheldon Oletzky in late 2010, I’ve been overwhelmed by the help and patronage both the business and our team has received. We would not be where we are today without your support. Heading into our 45th year, we look forward to serving you in the New Year and beyond to the high level of service and quality expected from the Frigibar brand.
2015 was an exciting and rewarding year for the Frigibar team. We love receiving annual family letters at the end of each year, so we decided to do one and share with you; where we have been this year, what we are doing, to thank you for your continued support, and to let you know why we’re so excited about 2016.

2015 Highlights

Boat Shows

Frigibar Booth at MIBS 2016

Frigibar at MIBS 2016

Since our family began this journey over forty years ago, boat shows have played a very important part in our business. Shows give us a chance to interact in-person with customers and partners, and give others the opportunity to see and touch our products. In 2015, we exhibited at five shows, including:

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Outside of the shows we were able to physically participate in, due to our partnerships with other companies, Frigibar units were displayed at several additional shows, including the Palm Beach International Boat Show, New England Boat Show in Boston, Providence Boat Show, and the Bay Bridge Boat Show in Annapolis, Maryland.

Featured in…

2015 was a great year for spreading our message and products throughout the industry and beyond in publications and advertisements. We were featured in Southern Boating Magazine with an advertisement and product feature. You can also find us online and in the upcoming print version of Yachting Pages.

We have shared our insight about relevant business topics on the Huffington Post Business Blog thanks to our involvement with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, which I completed last year. We have published three articles aimed at providing actionable advice for entrepreneurs. We enjoyed writing these articles and were thrilled to see one of them re-published on The Hartford’s website. Additional articles are in the works for next year. If you are interested in contributing, I welcome you to email our content manager, Michael Luchies at content@frigibar.com. Here are the three published articles from this year:

Frigibar Blog

We’ve designed our blog to provide you with relevant information on topics that add value to our readers. All in the past year, we’ve featured industry experts, fishing teams, boat-builders, yacht brokers, event directors, and several of our partners. At the urging of our team, I even discussed my passion for boat shows. We’d love if you took a look at our blog and read a couple of the articles we created just for you. If there is a topic that is of interest and you would like to learn more about, email us at content@frigibar.com and we will work on providing it.

Partnerships

2015 saw several new partnerships, including working with Yacht Equipment & Parts, and Whiticar Boat Works in Stuart, Florida to showcase Frigibar units. We also expanded our presence in the Northeast through our relationship with Island and Harbor Sales. For partnership inquiries, please contact us at info@frigibar.com.

Fishing Teams

We are so proud of our 2 spectacular fishing teams that we sponsored this year. Team Tito’s Fishing Team helped us start the year off right, hosting a special Tito’s Vodka tasting reception at our booth at the Miami International Boat show. The team had tremendous success with their Memorial Day family event and fishing tournament “The Downtown Showdown KDW” in West Palm Beach, Florida, which resulted in a 5-figure donation to Lauren’s Kids. Mark your calendars for May 20-21, 2016 for their 2nd Annual event and we will see you there!

Liquid Fire Fishing Team

The Liquid Fire Fishing Team and Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky

Liquid Fire Fishing Team received their custom Frigibar dunnage box for their Intrepid Powerboats 375 Center Console and traveled a good part of the year to numerous tournaments and events. Liquid Fire also spent a good portion of their time sharing knowledge through their fishing schools held around the country and you can see their upcoming schedule here. They had a fantastic finish to the year earning 1st Place in the Swansboro Five-0 King Mackerel Tournament and 3rd Place in the US Open King Mackerel Tournament. Read our interview with team captain Mark Henderson.

Why We’re Excited About 2016!

We have a lot of things to be thankful for and many opportunities to pursue in the New Year. Here are three of the things we’re looking forward to in 2016:

  • Expansion of online product availability
  • Partner acquisition and forming new relationships along with expanding existing partnerships Nationally and Internationally
  • New product development

Where we will be in the 1st Quarter of 2016

With any of our events, feel free to contact us ahead of time if you would like to schedule a time to meet with us or just stop on by. You can keep tabs on where we will be by visiting our events page which is updated with our upcoming event schedule and overviews of the fun stuff we do.

Thank you for an amazing 2015. We welcome you to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and like our Facebook page to keep updated throughout the year and see what we’re up to.

Our mailing address has changed, so please make sure to update your records: Frigibar Industries, Inc. 3324 NW South River Drive, Miami, Florida 33142.

Wishing you a very Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year from our family to yours!

  • Shuly Oletzky, Frigibar President & the Frigibar Family

Frigibar Freezer Units to be Displayed at Stuart Boat Show with Whiticar Boat Works Partnership

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STUART, FL, Dec. 22, 2015 — Frigibar Industries Inc., America’s foremost manufacturer of quality marine refrigeration products, and Whiticar Boat Works have partnered to bring the best in boat and yacht freezers and refrigerators to Stuart, Florida.

Frigibar Marine Refrigeration Unit

Frigibar is a staple at boat shows and marine industry events across the nation. Without a retail storefront, these events serve as a unique opportunity for boat and yacht customers to experience the quality of a Frigibar freezer.

As the largest boat show on the Treasure Coast, the Stuart Boat Show, now in its 42nd year, brings nearly 200 exhibitors, $100 million dollars in boats and marine products, and thousands of people together for a great three-day event. Taking place January 15-18 in Stuart, Florida, the show will feature motor yachts, cruisers, center consoles, speed boats, sport fishing boats, pontoon and personal watercrafts.

Whiticar Boat Works is the exclusive Frigibar dealer in Martin County, allowing local boaters to touch and feel what Frigibar has to offer. Asked why they partnered with Frigibar, a Whiticar representative stated, “We as a group feel their quality and long-standing market presence are the main reasons we recommend them and are proud to represent their product. We also appreciate the fact that they are “locally” made and customizable!”

The Stuart Boat Show will be located at 54 N. Dixie Hwy., Stuart, FL. There will be free parking, water taxi and shuttle service available at specified locations in downtown Stuart. Tickets are $12 for General Admission, $10 for seniors over 65, and tickets for Veterans and children (12 and under) and only $5. For more information on the Stuart Boat Show, visit: http://www.allsportsproductions.net/stuart-boat-show/   

About Frigibar Industries, Inc.

Frigibar Industries, Inc. is one of the longest established manufacturers of marine refrigeration. Frigibar was started in 1971 by founder and president Sheldon Oletzky, a twenty-one year veteran of the United States Navy and experienced aerospace engineer. In 2011, Sheldon’s daughter Shuly Oletzky took on the role of CEO and President of Frigibar and strives to grow the company’s legacy of providing the best in marine refrigeration. These freezers have taken on a secondary meaning; on-deck fiberglass freezers are referred to by boat builders and owners worldwide as Frigibars. Frigibar provides hand-crafted, marine refrigeration systems of the highest quality.

About Whiticar Boat Works

Based out of Stuart, Florida, Whiticar Boat Works has been in the boat business for over 70 years, and is known for providing only the best in boating and yachting. With an average of 28 years of experience among their talented staff, they provide the most dedicated and versatile services with what they call “white glove treatment.”

 

#FLIBS2015 Boat Show Recap: Thank You Fort Lauderdale! 

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After five days of fun (November 5-9), the 2015 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) is over. FLIBS is the world’s largest in-water boat show. Thousands of exhibitors and approximately 100,000 attendees took away memories and possibly even a boat or accessory with them.

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Booth Frigibar

Even after over a dozen FLIBS’ as an attendee and exhibitor, Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky couldn’t have had a better time at this year’s event. “It was a great show! The weather was great (for the most part), there were fantastic receptions, and once again, the show was even better than I had imagined.”

Asked about her favorite part of FLIBS 2015, Shuly said, “My favorite part is seeing our customers and meeting new ones. I love seeing all the people who knew my dad and tell me stories about how they used to work with him. Other favorite encounters are when customers share how well their (Frigibar freezer/refrigerator) units are still working 20-30 years after purchasing.”

This year Shuly will exhibit at six shows around the world, but FLIBS is a unique show. “I love this show because it’s consistently great and the whole community comes out to support it. The show is well laid out, easy to get around, and there is everything you’d want to do or see at a boat show.”

One of the unexpected bonuses of attending shows is that you never know who you might run into and the relationships you may form. When asked about the most memorable moment of the show, Shuly shared this story:

“I met a friend who I had only previously spoke to on the phone. We were introduced about a year ago when she moved from California to South Florida and was looking to get back into the marine industry. A few months back I introduced her to a female captain who is a friend and customer of mine. I felt it was beneficial for them to know each other and hoped it would be a good connection between them. My friend from California came to FLIBS and surprised me with a visit! I was so excited to finally meet her and took advantage of the fact that the Captain I had introduced her to was at the show. They got to meet in person for the first time too. This is a perfect example of how unexpected opportunities arise at events like these. If you ever wonder how memorable and valuable boat shows can be, this experience sums it up.”

Shuly didn’t take much time to relax before leaving the following week for METSTRADE, the world’s largest marine equipment trade show, held in Amsterdam November 17-19. Stay tuned for a recap of this event as well. Follow Frigibar on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to see what we’re up to, news updates, new products, and more.

 

Frigibar: As Seen in Southern Boating Magazine

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Founded in 1972, Southern Boating Magazine is a privately owned boating publication that aims to bring the best in boating lifestyle to you. Boating life is about leisure, luxury, and safety — three characteristics that stay true to Frigibar Industries’ brand as the leading manufacturer of quality marine refrigeration products.

Frigibar in Southern Boating Magazine

Frigibar was featured in the July 2015 issue of Southern Boating Magazine, and will also be featured in an upcoming product spotlight. Frigibar is proud to support media publications like Southern Boating Magazine that share tips, news, events, and other resources with the boating and yachting communities.

For more information on Southern Boating Magazine, visit SouthernBoating.com.

Looking for more great resources like Southern Boating Magazine? Visit Frigibar’s full boating and yachting resource list.

Why I Love Boat Shows: Q&A with Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky

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Boat show season is in full swing and Frigibar is traveling across the world to bring the best in marine refrigeration to boat owners everywhere. From Newport to Amsterdam to right here in Florida (Miami and Fort Lauderdale), Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky will be at a half-dozen boat shows this season.

Frigibar has been featuring industry experts, boat-makers, and fishing teams in recent articles, so we thought we’d take a minute to sit down with Shuly to find out why she loves boat shows.

“Growing up as the daughter of the owner of a marine refrigeration company, going to boat shows was how I spent several weekends each year. Having attended around 100 shows, I’ve learned a lot and have grown to really appreciate the opportunities and atmosphere that are at every event.”

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Here is what we asked Shuly and her responses:

Q: What’s your favorite boat show memory?

Shuly Oletzky (SO): Spending time with my family; my dad specifically. When I was younger, I stood back and watched and played around. As I got older, I was able to help, learn about the business, and learn about my dad.

We spent hours and hours together talking, working together, and building an even stronger relationship. These were truly special times and I’m so grateful for those experiences.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of a boat show?

SO: By far, the people are what I enjoy most. There are several aspects of each show that I love due to how they allow people; myself included, to connect, network, and make friendships with others.

It may be all about business for some, but to me it’s the whole package of business, friendships, and building relationships and trust.

Q: What other aspects of boat shows do you love?

SO: There are quite a few.

The environment. It’s electric! There isn’t anything that matches the fun environment of a boat show. Everyone is excited, learning and shopping for things they desire around a common interest. When you get a group of people together that are passionate about the same things, it’s impossible not to feed off of their energy.

It’s a social and recreational activity. I find the people that are passionate about boating, fishing, and sailing are typically very social people who enjoy being surrounded by others. They’re friendly and open to meeting strangers and sharing their experiences during their travels.

The chance to meet other people in the industry. As hard as you work at a show, you see people you’re only seeing a couple of times a year. Organizers build in a lot of recreational activities and social time, including receptions.

Q: Do you enjoy going to a boat show more as an exhibitor or attendee?

SO: Whether I’m attending as an exhibitor or an attendee, I thoroughly enjoy these shows. As an attendee, I get to see customers and partners who I wouldn’t be able to meet with when I am exhibiting and spending most of my time in my booth. Going as an attendee also provides a great opportunity to make new B2B connections, as the other exhibitors don’t always get a chance to visit other booths during the show.

Q: How can exhibitors take advantage of shows?

SO: Be present and don’t consider your time at the show the same you would a normal work day. You have to try to limit your distractions and be accessible for attendees to meet and connect with you. If you’re disconnected, you’ll miss opportunities.

I want to be able to help everyone I can, even if it’s just to direct them to other booths they are looking for or tell them where the bathrooms are. If I’m buried in paperwork behind a table, no one will get the chance to meet me or feel comfortable coming up to me.

Q: What should attendees do to make the most of an event?

SO: Why are you going? Have your goals defined and plan ahead.

Know exactly what you want out of the show, and try to get this information early so you can relax and enjoy the rest of the show. Show producers want you to find what you are looking for, and so do the exhibitors! Take advantage of show guides, information booths, apps, show websites and staff walking the show to help make your experience a great one.

Q: If speaking to someone who has never attended a show, why should they go?

SO: Shows are a great overview of the industry and a very convenient way to get a lot done in a short amount of time. You have the opportunity to talk to multiple vendors in one place instead of making five different phone calls or trying to drive out to meet with them in person at their physical locations. For businesses like Frigibar who don’t have a store, shows are a wonderful opportunity for customers and vendors to see our products outside of visiting a partner who showcases our products or seeing it on a friend’s boat.

See what Shuly and Frigibar are up to by following us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

 

Meet with Frigibar at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show #FLIBS2015

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The 56th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is just a couple of short weeks away! The five-day show will start on November 5th and go through November 9th.

Over 1,000 exhibitors will be on hand, and over 1,500 boats will be on display for the largest in-water boat show in the world, and since Uber is back in Broward County, transportation from location to location will be quick and easy. Asked about the variety of boats and other products on display at the show, Danny Grant of Pierson Grant PR said, “It’s got everything from stand-up paddleboards and kayaks to some of the largest yachts in the world all at one show.”  Visit the official FLIBS  website at ShowManagement.com to get a feel for the seven locations of the show and to plan based on what areas of the show you care about. Don’t miss this show!

Schedule Ahead to Meet with Frigibar

Frigibar will be exhibiting at the show and still has available time slots open to meet with you one-on-one during the show. Schedule a time to meet with Frigibar during the show by emailing us at info@frigibar.com or calling us at 305-757-7697. Whether you’re considering a marine refrigerator or freezer for your boat or just want to say hi to Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky, feel free to stop on by booth 541. View the full list of 2015 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show exhibitors.

My Boat Show App

The My Boat Show App is the official event app for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, and will help you navigate this large show to help you find and get to where you want to go. The app is free and available for both iOS and Android devices. Download here.

Tickets are available for purchase online, so avoid waiting in line on November 5 and consider purchasing now. Follow Frigibar on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to join in on the fun and get live updates from the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. #FLIBS2015

Newport International Boat Show Recap

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Each year, the Newport International Boat Show(NIBS) kicks off the boat show season with a bang, and we had a great time at this year’s show. Held September 17-20, the 45th NIBS featured 13 acres of boating and yachting glory. There were yacht unveilings, a treasure hunt for a sapphire pendant, night cruises, receptions, daily seminars, and more. Among the weekend’s most notable events was the Newport For New Products Awards (click to view award winners).

0916151754Our trip was busy, but we were able to enjoy a lot of what Newport, Rhode Island has to offer. We began our stay in Newport at the unique and beautiful Newport Jailhouse Inn. On Thursday (17th), the show officially kicked off.


Frigibar was one of 600 exhibitors at NIBS, sharing a booth in Tent C 69 with the Island & Harbor Sales team. We ran into many old and new friends, including representatives from Suntex Marinas, Chafe-Pro, Sailor Sams, Cool Boats, and TNT Lifts. Thousands of visitors came through the show over the four days, and many stopped by to visit us. Thank you to everyone who came by!

In addition to NIBS, we visited the Newport Brokerage Boat Show held at the Newport Shipyard and Marina. We had the opportunity to attend the ABBRA cocktail party and a reception hosted by the US Superyacht Association (USSA).

Although the show is over, we’d still love to connect with you and talk about how Frigibar fits into your life on the water. Feel free to reach out to us, or come out in less than two months to Fort Lauderdale. We hope to see you at the 2015 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) November 5 – 9. Connect with Frigibar by visiting our blog and following us on Facebook and Twitter.