About Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale's economy has diversified over time. From the 1940s through the 1980s, the city was known as a
spring break destination for college students.[95] The college crowd has since dwindled, however, with the city now
attracting wealthier tourists.[96] Cruise ships and nautical recreation provide the basis for much of the revenue raised
by tourism. There is a convention center west of the beach and southeast of downtown, with 600,000 square feet of space, including a 200,000-square-foot main exhibit hall. Approximately 30% of the city's 10 million annual visitors attend
conventions at the center.

The downtown area, especially around Las Olas Boulevard, first underwent redevelopment starting in 2002, and now hosts many new hotels and high-rise condominium developments. The city's central business district is the largest downtown in Broward County, although there are other cities in the county with commercial centers. Office buildings and high-rises include: Las Olas River House, Las Olas Grand, 110 Tower (formerly AutoNation Tower), Bank of America Plaza, One Financial Plaza, Broward Financial Center, One East Broward Boulevard, Barnett Bank Plaza, PNC Center, New River Center, One Corporate Center,
SunTrust Centre, 101 Tower, and SouthTrust Tower.

Fort Lauderdale is a major manufacturing and maintenance center for yachts. The boating industry is responsible for
over 109,000 jobs in the county. With its many canals, and proximity to the Bahamas and Caribbean, it is also a popular
yachting vacation stop, and home port for 42,000 boats, and approximately 100 marinas and boatyards.[30] Additionally, the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the world's largest boat show, brings over 125,000 people to the city each year.

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