The new layout of the boat show has obtained unanimous agreement from the exhibitors and the visitors. Only a few changes at the margin should be made for the next edition. On business side: While many brands have achieved their objectives, the fact is that markets must now adjust to the boaters behaviours that have changed. Now head to 2012 when the Grand Pavois will celebrate its 40th edition!
GRAND PAVOIS 2011 An attractive and Successful Edition
A much appreciated new layout!
The Grand Pavois 2011 has a new look. A new distribution that obtained unanimous agreement from exhibitors and visitors. Spaces have been optimized and streamlined, the flow of visitors improved. “We had to make these big changes explains Alain Pochon, President of the Grand Pavois. We increased the fluidity and, above all, we have refocused on the heart of our business, the boat “.
A general resettlement that will effectively require a few adjustments at the margin for the new format of the Grand Pavois to become even better.
94,000 visitors in six days
In terms of figures, the trend is a slight decrease of about 8%. “We should meet tonight 94 000 visitors, that is a decrease of about 8% compared to last year when we had reached 104 000 visitors. I must say that the weekend was complicated with a very disturbed weather. And what a Sunday with series of violent squalls, that did not really encouraged people to visit the Grand Pavois. Now, do not mix quantity and quality for our exhibitors! We actually observed that the Grand Pavois remains a business boat show and that is the most important to our profession! “.
New behaviours!
In a difficult economical situation, the positive fact is that French people still sail. In France, pleasure boating gathers 9 millions of occasional boaters, 5 millions of regular sailors and more than 500 000 boats (motorboats and sailboats). The motorboats ranges increase the quality of finishing and equipments and that are more and more modular. As for the sailboats, we observed the increase in power of multihulls. Catamarans and trimarans that are more and more reliable with superb interior designs and that are always more filling boaters with enthusiasm.
The true evolution comes from the yachtsmen. The customers are younger and more careful. No miracles here considering the economical situation, but still objectives were achieved and even overtaken by some brands and atypical products.
Brazil, guest of honour in 2012…
It is a come back! Already guest in 1997, Brazil will be aside the Grand Pavois once again in 2012. The attendance of Brazil in 2012 is part of a global international promotion operation lead by Embratur to shed lights on the country as a tourist destination.
After having doubled the number of foreigner tourists within 5 years, Brazil is now ready to start its “golden decade” as far as tourism and international exchanges are concerned notably with the organization of the World Football Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympic Games in 2016.
Mr Alain Pochon, president du Grand Pavois: “It is really joyful to have Brazil as the guest of honour in 2012. On the one hand because this country has a strong economical and tourist development, that is important for us as boating professionals and on the other hand, what a great country to celebrate our birthday!”
Remember for 2012…
Name: The Grand Pavois
Venue: Port des Minimes in La Rochelle
Dates: from Wednesday the 19th to Monday the 24th of September from 10:00 a.m to 07:00 p.m
Guest country 2012: Brazil
Exhibition: 100 000 m2
Exhibitors: 850 exhibitors from 35 countries
Boats: More than 750 boats exhibited with 300 afloat
