This year’s boot Dusseldorf ended on Sunday, 27th January, after successful nine days. The event was marked by good figures in extensive parts of the business, despite difficult circumstances. Ice, snow and strikes at North Rhine-Westphalia’s largest airports prevented plenty of water sports enthusiasts from home as well as abroad from participating in this year’s show.

BOOT Dusseldorf 2013

Visitors showed satisfying economic potential
However, 226,300 still managed to get to the Düsseldorf exhibition halls to learn about yachting innovations and new water sports equipment from the 1,674 exhibitors from 63 countries and to shop and order in droves. In 2012, there were 246,700 visitors. “The prevailing circumstances could not have been less favourable for a trade fair event which is mostly targeted at end users. On more than half of the event days, the weather meant the trade fair could only be reached under difficult conditions. Many international guests who had booked flights had to call off their visit to boot. But we still met the expectations of our exhibitors”, summarises Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. “The opening event on the second weekend was extremely well attended. And the visitors who came had the economic potential to give the industry the boost it had been hoping for.”

Focus on sales and establishing new contacts
“The exhibitors’ focus was on sales and establishing new contacts that promised decent post-fair business. Both these objectives were achieved at boot 2013, in some cases, as early as on Day 1”, according to Jürgen Tracht, Managing Director of the German Marine Industry Association (BVWW) in Cologne. “The German boats and water sports market has proven itself as the most stable and most full of life in Europe. In addition, the international industry not only concentrates its fair activities on boot Düsseldorf but also used it as the most important event for presenting new yachting products and innovations. This is what visitors wanted to see and what makes this trade fair extremely attractive.” However, Tracht goes on to say that exhibitors who focus squarely on the sales of goods and need high visitor numbers did not have the success this year that they were used to. The same also can be said for the equipment market and diving sport article business and also for some charter companies who are reliant on high booking numbers.

Satisfactory results across the board
Innovative and convenient products that promised quality and long-term value were in demand however. This was true for the full range of goods and services on offer. The boats and yachts business had satisfactory results across the board. This was true for both sailing and powerboats. According to the BVWW, the demand for small motorised sports boats up to seven metres in length is increasing once again. Top-quality motor yachts with high value retention in the middle segment up to 16 metres achieved excellent sales success.

“Mobile water sports” theme world was incredibly popular
The boating market expects to get a strong impetus from the new legislation allowing for boats of up to 15 hp to be piloted without a licence. Visitors clambered to get into the “Mobile water sports” theme world for in-depth information about the new legislation and the diversity of boat types which can be fitted with 15 hp engines.

The large and luxury yacht business is gaining momentum
A fresh wind is once again blowing in Hall 6. The industry is noting increasing interest, positive discussions and numerous purchases.
According to visitor surveys, boats and yachts were the main interest at boot 2013. In its usual 1st place position: the sailing boat/sailing yacht. Every second person surveyed expressed an interest in this area. More than one in three was looking for information about motor boats and boat equipment and accessories. Improving the value of boots or maintaining their value is a very popular topic at the moment. Companies offering high-quality comfort and safety equipment enjoyed decent sales.

Diving market appears stable
Every fourth visitor paid a visit to the diving fair underneath the boot 2013 roof. The leading suppliers spoke about sales being at previous year’s levels. Considering the continuing instability in Egypt– the most important diving region in the world- exhibitors were thoroughly satisfied with the business figures. In the water tourism and charter area, Mediterranean destinations Croatia, Turkey and Greece were the holiday hits of the 2013 water sports season alongside German inland waters.

Indoor pools and streams proved to be visitor magnet
The boot Düsseldorf concept “Experience 360° Watersports” was once again a visitor magnet. The 16 experience worlds with their information offers and the many possibilities to try out water sports types on indoor pools and artificial rivers, were a particular hit especially amongst young visitors as it matched their lifestyle. The revamped Sports fisherman centre with lake, stream and an attractive stage program was an immediate hit in the visitor popularity stakes.

International visitors made it despite weather difficulties
The percentage of international visitors was slightly down at boot 2013, mostly because of the flight problems. Still 45,000 visitors came from 50 countries to Düsseldorf. One in three came from the South, East and North of Germany. In the overall assessment, visitors again have boot 2013 first-class marks: According to the surveys, 96 per cent came away with their expectations met.

boot Düsseldorf 2014 is scheduled to take place from 18 – 26 January, 2014.