The 49th International Boat Show of Barcelona will be held in November in the usual venues at Gran Via and Port Vell. Bookings are proceeding at a good pace, taking into account the difficult economic situation, which has had a significant effect on the nautical sector.
Aware of the difficulties being faced by the sector, Fira de Barcelona, in collaboration with the Asociación Nacional de Empresas Náuticas, ANEN, is increasing aid to facilitate maximum participation of exhibitors, both in the Gran Via exhibition centre and Port Vell, and, thereby, contributing to promoting the sector and revitalising sales. A survey promoted by Fira de Barcelona and ANEN, among the sector’s exhibitors and companies, has ratified the suitability of these two spaces.
Holding the show in its usual venues, the Gran Via exhibition centre and Port Vell, which holds the large boats, is the best guarantee for success, according to the organisers and ANEN, an association that represents 90% of the sector. The show will also maintain its five traditional theme areas located in Gran Via (Fun Beach, Espai del Mar, Marina Tradicional, Espai del Pescador and Espai Innovació), with numerous activities for professionals and the general public, which reinforce the Barcelona show as a benchmark event for the nautical sector in Spain and in Europe.
380 exhibitors from 35 countries participated in the 2009 show, which had an audience of 125,000 visitors. Innovation and ecology, with environmentally-friendly proposals were the main focuses of the show, which closed with positive balance in terms of sales and contacts made in a climate of crisis.
The Barcelona Boat Show, a first-rate platform which gives rise to 70% of sales operations in Spain, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2011.