Fun At The Vancouver & Seattle Boat Shows

WOW — that was a lot of fun. (We’re still riding the post-show adrenaline.)

This year, Voyage Makers joined both the Vancouver International Boat Show (VIBS) and the Seattle Boat Show—teaching, connecting, and bringing together Women on the Water and boaters from every background and experience level.

If you’re setting goals for boating education, confidence, and adventure this season… you’re in the right place. Here are a few standout moments that set the tone for an exceptional year ahead.

Voyage Makers produced and sponsored the Seminar Series at VIBS, delivering 95 seminars over five days—a packed program designed to help boaters build real-world skills and better on-water decision-making.

• Marla Hedman presented the Masterclass: Safety At Sea Primer for Coastal Boaters with Peter Salusbury, a Sail Canada Offshore Personal Survivor Course Instructor
• Andy den Otter walked attendees through chartering Fundamentals and the real differences between Salt & Fresh Water Boating
• Elizabeth Brown-Shaw taught Cruising with Kids shared the incredible story of her family’s 7-year Pacific Circumnavigation
• Tracy Sarich taught her popular Masterclass: Docking & Line Handling (because keeping your cool in close-quarters is an essential skill.)

Together, Elizabeth Brown-Shaw, Marla Hedman and Tracy Sarich co-chaired the 2nd annual VIBS Women’s Initiative focused on increasing women’s expertise throughout the Seminar Series. This year, women experts could be found throughout the show, including experts in mechanical, insurance, offshore and coastal cruising, instructors, brokers and surfers. This Initiative included a special Women on the Water-British Columbia all-day event featuring seminars and a social on Saturday that brought together women attendees with women exhibitors from throughout the show.

2026 Women’s Initiative Committee Members 

Allison Bergen

Liza Copeland

Gina Crovetto 

Missy Gervais

Leslie Roberts

Sinead Spriggs

Thank you ladies for making the planning and the entire show so special.

THANK YOU to our sponsors who provided meaningful Give-Away prizes to our attendees.

Mustang Survival

Lalizas Lifesaving

The Marina at Brentwood Bay Resort

Monday, February 2 was Women’s Day – a great day that gives women the opportunity to join the show for free. 

• Elizabeth Brown-Shaw taught cruisers about Cruising with Kids and worked with boat buyers down at Pier 66 with Yacht Sales West.
• Shirline Wilson and Tracy Sarich presented Skipper’s Mindset – a discussion about the importance of learning emotional intelligence(EQ) as a recreational skipper can make cruising with friends and family more fun, a key skill taught in our upcoming seamanship series.

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