Around 1,600 exhibitors from over 50 countries will be presenting their innovations for the coming season in the 17 Düsseldorf exhibition halls,  from January 21st to 29th, 2012 – from fishing rods right through to luxurious large yachts. Stand space is in great request and the number of exhibitors is likely to exceed last year’s figures.

Preparations for BOOT Dusseldorf 2012 Underway

Assessing the situation Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel, Director of boot Düsseldorf, said, “The international yachting and watersports industry places great trust in boot as the central, European marketplace for the industry – not least due to the differing pace of growth on European markets. In Germany and Northern Europe the economic recovery after the years of crisis is most noticeable. International exhibitors want to capitalise on this.”

International and unrivalled for boats and yachts
Messe Düsseldorf expects some 650 foreign participations at boot 2012. This means more than one in three exhibitors will come from abroad. The biggest exhibiting nation will be the Netherlands with 150 shipyards, fitters and service providers, followed by Italy (60), France (50), Austria (35) and the United Kingdom with 30 participations. Boats and yachts will also be in the limelight at boot Düsseldorf in 2012. An unrivalled international array of boats with 1,700 types of all sizes spreads over eleven exhibition halls.

Multi-hull sailing sees increased popularity
boot Düsseldorf is a must for yachtsmen! Halls 16 and 17 await them with a top-notch range of sailing boats and yachts presented by 150 exhibitors. Particularly positive is the trend in the small yet refined, special segment of catamarans and trimarans which were given their own separate, dedicated platform in Hall 15 last year. The concept went down so well that many exhibitors have decided to extend their presentations at boot 2012, i.e. they now wish to bring their boats rather than information stands to Düsseldorf. 15 suppliers in Hall 15 will be covering all aspects of the popular multi-hull sailing.

“Big Five” benefit from architectural upgrade of exhibition hall 4
The demand for exhibition space for sports boats and power boats up to 60 feet long is at the previous year’s level. 250 shipyards, dealers and importers are guaranteed to present a representative overview of power boating in a total of six exhibition halls. Clearly increasing in appeal is Exhibition Hall 4 as the centre of the “Big Five” in power-boat building: Bavaria, Bénéteau, Jeanneau, Galeon and Nimbus. This hall was extensively refurbished in 2011 and fitted with new entrance concourses that not only make for a bright, friendly atmosphere but also improve visitor guidance and, hence, create more movement in the hall. A presentation of Dutch steel-hull yachts comes care of “Holland Boats & Yachts” in Hall 5.

Comfortable and luxurious yachts showcased indoors will also remain a hallmark of boot Düsseldorf in 2012! Hall 6 awaits visitors with around 40 large yachts as well as high-end boats and tender boats. Up to 30 yachts will be travelling to Düsseldorf by waterway where they will make a “shore excursion” to boot with the help of “Big Willi”, the lift, and heavy towing equipment.

The who’s who of the world’s luxury yachts
Be it Fairline, Ferretti, San Lorenzo, Princess or Riva: the who’s who of the world’s luxury yachts will be represented in Hall 6. However, what is equally apparent here is that no sustainable recovery for yachts beyond 60 feet is in sight as yet. They are not available in pre-crisis quantities as exhibits. Specifically, Italian shipyards, who dominate this market, are still “navigating in troubled economic waters” and some are looking for better value-for-money options for participating at boot. Messe Düsseldorf has responded to this request and offered the affected exhibitors the option of image stands. As a complement computer-aided applications such as so-called augmented reality are to be used to enhance such exhibits as yacht scale-models or images with virtual yacht animations via smartphone cameras or webcams.

“Blue Motion Lounge” in Hall 6
For high-calibre customers in this sector the “Blue Motion Lounge” in Hall 6 will be revived. This business and shopping area combines excellent catering with comfortable rooms for meetings and negotiations with customers as well as exclusive boutiques for browsing to visitors. There is a separate entrance area for VIPs.

Superyacht Show in Hall 7a
Still extremely well received is Düsseldorf’s Superyacht Show in Hall 7a boasting over 100 international participations. Here plans and scale models of yacht projects and the associated services are presented at information stands including such joint participations as Deutsche Yachten, Superyacht France and Holland Yachting Group.

Good news across the board also comes from the segments of trend sports, diving, travelling and boat accessories. The diversity of the sector, the ranges on display revolving around everything you can do on, by, in and under water prove to be trump card for boot in 2012, too. The market for equipment, marine electronics, engines, accessories, functional wear and marina furnishings is perfectly staged with some 350 international exhibitors in Halls 10 to 12 catering to just about every customer’s wish.

Leading brands of the industry will be represented
To the tune of 320 exhibitors are expected to feature at the world’s biggest general-public exhibition for diving in Halls 3 and 4. Be it Aqualung, Beuchat, Balzer, Bauer, Cressi, Camaro, Mares or SCUBAPRO – the leading brands of the industry will be represented in Düsseldorf. Tour operators and tourist authorities from every corner of the world will introduce visitors to the most beautiful destinations for diving vacations. Questions related to diver’s training and safety will be answered by the leading organisations PADI, SSI, Barakuda and the Association of German Sports Divers (VDST).

Particularly promising: Underwater Pixel World
Experiencing a very positive development is the Underwater Pixel World with its ranges revolving around underwater filming and photography. At boot 2012 it will feature more exhibitors, a wider product portfolio and a noticeably more attractive setting. The Show will occupy 2,500 square metres of space right next to the new, generously laid-out and light-flooded entrance concourse of Hall 4. In addition to the exhibitors’ displays there will be a separate area with a stage for lectures, seminar rooms and workshop zones. The third element is a Café Lounge inviting visitors to relax and chat away their time after a strolling through the trade fair.

Trendsports: Diversity of ranges continues to grow
The surf and trendsport market in Halls 1 and 2 profits from the themed Beach World experience. It gives visitors diverse opportunities to try out such trendsports as wakeboarding, stand-up padding and skimboarding right on site. This concept sends not only visitors into raptures but also the industry. With 14 exhibitors almost the entire line-up of renowned surfsport specialists is represented at boot Düsseldorf. At boot 2012 skimboarding equipment vendors will also be represented. To the tune of 40 dealers complement the industry ranges in Hall 2.

Holiday-makers are lured to boot Düsseldorf by the maritime travel market in Halls 13 and 4. Those looking for the right travel destinations for next summer, wishing to charter boats or start training are guaranteed to find the right supplier among the over 300 international charter companies, tour operators and tourist authorities.

360° Watersports Experience: Even more new ranges on offer
Under the heading “360° Watersports Experience” boot awaits visitors with 16 experience and themed worlds allowing them to try out water sports and get first-hand information from experts. Be it anglers, surfers, kiters, divers, yachtsmen or charterers: watersports enthusiasts and would be enthusiasts will find their own very special themed “world”. The World of Paddling in Hall 13 is sure to be one of the major attractions next year. It will be equipped with a canoe testing course where you can do trial trips and put new boats to the acid test.

Even bigger diving pool
Even more fun and room for test diving is ensured by a new, even bigger diving pool at the Diving Center in Hall 3. Measuring 6 m x 4.60 m the pool is twice the size of its predecessor. It is 1.80 metres deep and allows visitors to look in from three sides through portholes. The Beach World with its big indoor pool and skimboard track invites visitors in Hall 1 to try out new trend sports. Tips for novice water sportspeople are available in Hall 10. Here you learn everything about watersports gear that can be transported at, on and behind your own vehicle such as trailerable boats, surf boards, canoes and kayaks.

Holidays, angling and the Classic Show
Where to go in 2012? The Holiday World in Hall 13 helps decision-making. Here watersports and tourist experts present the wide range of options available for holidays in, on and under water, all against the backdrop of an attractive stage programme. The Fishing Center for amateur anglers presents rods, rollers, equipment plus the hippest angling destinations for sports fishermen. Classic and traditional boats or replicas are centre stage at the Classic Show in Hall 15.

The hotspot for yachtsmen is the Sailing Center in Hall 17 where yachting stars inform visitors about their current projects and sports ambitions. Globetrotters share their experiences while experts provide tips revolving around sports and boats. Visitors can take a look at the various yacht classes from Optimists to Starboats and gather useful information on their sailing characteristics from the relevant class associations.

Galleries, artists and universities present their works
Last but not least: watersports fans are once again invited by Messe Düsseldorf to the “Galeria boot Düsseldorf”. Galleries, artists and universities present their works and projects in Hall 7. This and much more will be on offer for international visitors at boot 2012 which runs from 21 to 29 January, open daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.

Save time and money with online ticket purchase
Those purchasing their boot admission tickets online can save time and money. 1-day eTickets cost EUR 2 less than those bought at ticket counters. Adults pay EUR 14.00. Tickets for a short stroll – Monday to Friday from 3.00 pm – cost EUR 9.00 at the Online Shop. Tickets can be printed out straight away upon completion of the transaction and be used for free use of public transport within the networks of the Rhein-Ruhr (VRR) transport authority.