The organizers of the Gold Coast International Marine Expo are proud to announce that more than 50 per cent of its outdoor exhibitor space from 2014 has been sold less than eight weeks since the announcement of new May event dates. The 2015 Expo will run from May 21 to 24.

Gold Coast International Marine Expo

The news comes as the deadline nears for past exhibitors to claim their first right of refusal on their sites across an expanded Expo circuit that will, this year, encompass almost the entire Gold Coast Marine Precinct.

“This year the Expo will have new boats, new product launches, new exhibitors, new attractions … and that’s all in addition to a new site layout,” said Event & Marketing Manager Emma Milne.

“We are extremely encouraged by the bookings so far and there’s a long list of new exhibitors interested in sites which have previously been occupied by past exhibitors … so we expect a busy few days leading up to January 30 as people confirm their space for 2015,” she said.

“The number of new exhibitors who have not previously been to Expo is also encouraging and it all points to a great experience for our 2015 Expo visitors.”

A vast range of marine industry displays reinforced the fact that the Gold Coast International Marine Expo is a showcase of all things aquatic

The date for this massive showcase of all things aquatic – from superyachts to kayaks and jet skis to fishing equipment … and everything else in between … this year is 21-24 May, coinciding with the Riviera Festival of Boating and the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Many more announcements are scheduled over the next 16 weeks in the countdown to Expo 2015 however Ms Milne confirmed that Australia’s largest aluminium boat-builder Telwater will display all its 2015 Quintrex new model releases exclusively at the Expo, with some 18 new models making their world premieres.

“Quintrex will also have, for the first time at an Australian boat show, one of almost every model in their range – over 50 boats will be on display at their factory car park at the Expo,” she said.

“Telwater builds some 12,000 boats each year and exports to 20 countries under the very popular Quintrex, Stacer and Savage badges – their support is a massive vote of confidence in the Expo and in our industry.”

Expo crowds enjoy the high-diving which returns with a new theme for 2015

The on-water displays at Expo 2015 – spread over three marinas – will each showcase many world and Australian premieres from the industry’s leading brands too. The details of these new launches will be announced in the coming weeks.

Ms Milne said the Expo – now in its 5th year – has a firm heritage of being family friendly, offering interactive entertainment and live demonstrations every 15 minutes across an expanded event site which includes a 3km-long display circuit, as well as factory tours of the biggest luxury yacht and aluminium boat-building facilities in the Southern Hemisphere.

“There’s so much to see and do at the Expo, people will need more than a full day to enjoy everything on offer,” she said.

“The Expo – at the Gold Coast Marine Precinct – also showcases the largest marine precinct in Australia, where over 13,000 boats are manufactured each year for domestic and international markets, where over 6000 boats are slipped, serviced and repaired or refitted each year, where over 2000 people are employed and where the value of the supply chain to all marine businesses that operate within the marine precinct runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Another first for Expo in 2015 is the staging of the Riviera Festival of Boating to coincide with the Expo creating a greater experience for visitors

“Our growing list of partners include International Paint, Clipper Motor Yachts, Telwater, Riviera and Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, as well as NAB, Stefan Boating World and The Boat Works – that’s a very formidable team of marine industry leaders who are committed to conducting a not-for-profit boat show that supports the local marine industry. It creates jobs and business opportunities within the wider Australian marine industry and also creates a truly unique boat show visitor experience that boaties just love.”

The Gold Coast International Marine Expo is very accessible for both visitors and exhibitors with two dedicated exits from the M1 Motorway (Exit 54 – 3.3km/4mins and; Exit 57 – 4km/5mins), two different roads leading into the Gold Coast Marine Precinct (Shipper Drive and Beattie Road), shuttle buses from Coomera Railway Station (2/7km/3mins) … as well as free car-parking at the gate.

Visitors will also enjoy free water transport between the Gold Coast City Marina, the Riviera yacht-building facility and The Boat Works, in addition to free courtesy buses running the length of Waterway Drive, seamlessly linking the free car-parking with a minimum of five great Expo sites, including Telwater’s state-of-the-art Quintrex factory, the Gold Coast City Marina, Riviera, Stefan Boating World and The Boat Works.

Riviera's Festival of Boating - which this year coincides with Expo - is filled with social and educational events

“Our nominal ticket price ($10) helps raise money for the charities and community organisations that volunteer their time to help make the event such a success, and also provides a huge array of exhibitors, attractions and live demonstrations right across the display sites every 15 minutes,” said Ms Milne. “Admission for seniors/pensioners is $7 and children under the age of 15 years are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

“We have also held our exhibitor rates – with an additional day free – to further support our industry through tough times. In fact our rates have remained unchanged since 2013 and this demonstrates our commitment to the marine industry recovery.”

Ms Milne said the new date of the Expo in May is aimed at creating a compelling reason for boaties from interstate and overseas to visit the Gold Coast and Queensland for four fantastic days to take advantage of three separate and major boat shows and events featuring every marine industry display you could imagine.

“If you love boating, the Gold Coast is the place to be from 21-24 May 2015.”