The 2013 VLC Boat Show, held in the popular Mediterranean superyacht charter destination Valencia in Spain, ended on Monday 22nd April having received more than 35,000 visitors over the five days. The highest attendance was registered during the weekend, accompanied by good weather. Saturday noted nearly 13,000 visitors and Sunday was marked by an outstanding attendance of more than 17,000 people.
Valencia Boat Show 2013
VLC BOAT SHOW has taken place at Marina Real Juan Carlos I, the Valencian threefold marina complex that staged the 32nd and 33rd editions of the America’s Cup between 2003 and 2010. Since then, the Marina caters for smaller craft up to superyachts and serves as host to world class sports events.
With a final toll of 60 exhibitors and close to 100 boats on the water, the show has exceeded the targets initially set by the organisers in order to stage this first edition; likewise, the size and diversity of the fair went beyond the expectations of most visitors.
VLC Boat Show 2013
Exhibitors included boat builders and distributors, equipment manufacturers and distributors, yacht charter and boating holiday agencies, marinas, marine associations and government bodies for tourism and the environment. Exhibits covered a wide product and service range, from water toys and dinghies to motor and sail yachts, from high tech rigging and sails to water makers and cutting edge marine electronics.
The City of Arts and Science, Valencia’s modern museum and leisure flagship complex, staged a range of workshops and play areas for children. A replica of 16th century Nao Victoria, first to complete a circumnavigation, and a training ship and two rescue boats, all of them open to visitors, have also featured at the event.
VLC Boat Show in Valencia, Spain
VLC BOAT SHOW has also served as a gathering point for many marine leisure stakeholders. Sailing schools, yacht clubs, equipment distributors and marine life research teams have taken the opportunity at the show to hold a diversity of conferences.
The large dimensions of the marina and good weather have proved an ideal scenario for visitors to enjoy all kind of on-water demonstrations, boat tests and a rescue exercise that involved a life boat and helicopter. The exercise coincided with the departure of a marine life research team boat on a mission to release recovered turtles at sea, followed by a larger vessel packed with children and other spectators.
Just a few days after the show, it has been made public that the waterfront area and Marina Real will now fall exclusively under the responsibility of Valencia city council. VLC BOAT SHOW 2013 has been organised by the Valencian marine trade association with the support of the city council and Marina Real itself. All three parties have now scheduled a list of meetings in order to secure and plan for the 2014 edition.
