Mayor of Barcelona, Xavier Trias, has presented the International Boat Show of Barcelona with the Gold Medal for Sports Merit, this afternoon. It is the highest award granted by the City Council to organisations and individuals whose work has made an important contribution to the city’s social and economic life. Luis Conde, the event’s President, has received the Medal from the Mayor during a ceremony held in the City Council’s Saló de Cent.

Luis Conde receiving the medal from Barcelona's Mayor

The Barcelona City Council’s plenary session unanimously approved awarding its maximum honour to the Boat Show: the Gold Medal for Sports Merit. The award recognises the event, which Fira de Barcelona has been organising for 50 years, for its work in promoting nautical sports and contributing to the city’s internationalisation.

For the Mayor, Xavier Trias, behind the Boat Show, “there is an important industry, which represents an entire economic sector and a Mediterranean culture “. Trias appreciated the fact that the event maintains its status as a leading event “because many jobs depend on it. It is very important for Barcelona and for the country that the show works”.

The event’s President, Luis Conde, was especially responsive to having received the award at a time of crisis since “it demonstrates, yet again, that collective effort always yields positive results.” Conde also said that the main goals of the show from the beginning were to promote the industry and attract fans of nautical sports and navigation, “intentions that, 50 years on, continue to be totally valid”.

A long road
The Barcelona Boat Show, whose first edition dates back to 1963, is one of the oldest in Europe, founder member of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO), and currently an international benchmark. The annual show has the backing and collaboration of ANEN, as well as the sector’s leading organisations.