About
A Blend of Social Fun & Professional Growth
We are South Florida's premiere maritime networking club!
Ahoy, Mariners!
The Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club is where South Florida’s marine community comes together to collaborate, learn, and grow. From our monthly luncheons and social gatherings to the Annual Marine Insurance Seminar, we provide opportunities for fun, to network, exchange ideas, and strengthen our industry.
While many of us are competitors, here we’re colleagues, mentors, and friends—united by our shared passion for the sea. If you’re looking for camaraderie, to connect, and a community that celebrates all facets of the maritime industry, we invite you to come aboard.
Fair winds,
Tyler Tanner
Skipper
FLMC History
The concept of a “Mariners Club” is far from new. The earliest clubs emerged in the early 1950s with national sponsorship from Babaco Alarm Systems of Moonachie, New Jersey, initially taking root in Chicago and New York. Today, more than 30 Mariners Clubs exist across the country, with the largest based in Houston.
Locally, the idea of forming a club had circulated within the marine industry for years. In late 1988, a group of professionals—some already affiliated with other clubs—came together to bring the vision to life. With support from Gary Genovese and Carl Taylor of the law firm Conrad, Scherer & James, they formally launched the Ft. Lauderdale Mariners Club. The founding board held its first official meeting at Café De Geneve on March 2, 1989. Early participants became the Club’s “Charter Members.”
The concept quickly gained traction. Today, the Ft. Lauderdale Mariners Club boasts over 200 active members representing all sectors of the marine industry in South Florida and beyond. The Club’s mission is clear and enduring:
• To foster friendly, professional relationships among members
• To promote high standards of business practice across the industry
• To provide a collaborative forum for advancing the marine sector in South Florida
The centerpiece of the Club’s annual programming is its seminar held each October, just prior to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. The inaugural 1989 seminar drew over 150 attendees, and recent events have welcomed more than 500 participants from recent
events have welcomed more than 500 participants from across the global marine community. With dynamic speakers and vibrant networking opportunities, the seminar has become a truly international gathering. All attendees—members and guests alike—are encouraged to share ideas, build connections, and find common ground.
In addition to the annual seminar, the Club hosts monthly luncheons and social events throughout the year. These gatherings offer relaxed, collegial settings for members to connect, exchange insights, and support one another. While members may be competitors in business, they share a common purpose and a wealth of experience. The Club serves as a trusted space for open dialogue and mutual growth.
The Ft. Lauderdale Mariners Club is your club—dedicated to enriching each member’s professional journey and strengthening the marine industry as a whole.
