The three-day 2014 Gold Coast International Marine Expo is set to start tomorrow, on October 17. The event site is a hive of activity as exhibitors prepare and polish their displays to help make the event one to remember.
The 32-hectare Expo site will feature more than 200 exhibitors over a 3km display circuit
The non-profit Expo – at the Gold Coast Marine Precinct – is a massive showcase of all things aquatic – from super yachts to jet skis, kayaks and family fun accessories to fishing equipment … and everything in between.
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO AT EXPO
– Catch the McDonald’s High Dive Show
– Inspect a huge range of more than 600 boats – from super yachts to sports boats, family fun boats to fishing vessels and tenders
– See the fastest Jet Ski on the Planet
– Get a fish-eye view of life beneath the water
– Check out all the fun and futuristic toys – the Hoverboard and Jetovator will even have on-water demonstrations
– Watch as celebrity chef Bart Beek cooks up a storm
– Cheer on the Coomera Cup competitors
– Ride the Riviera Express or tour Quintrex
– Bring the kids for great fun attractions!
– Get everything you need for a great summer on the water.
Expo 2014 has also confirmed the official Queensland release of the highly anticpated limited edition 2015 Kawasaki Ultra 310R jet ski
Event & Marketing Manager Emma Milne says there is an air of excitement as the final major Australian boat show of the year starts to take shape.
“Exhibitor numbers are up more than 10 per cent on last year and we have more than 60 new product releases – everything from boats to fun and futuristic toys to safety equipment and all sorts of gadgets and gizmos,” says Ms Milne.
“Expo is a boat show and so much more – you can get everything you need for a great summer on the water … all in one place!
“We also have live demonstrations and attractions across our 3km Expo circuit every 15 minutes, including the McDonald’s High Diving Show, the Hoverboard and Jetovator demonstrations, factory tours and cooking demonstrations.
“Combine all that with plenty of fun for the kids and a gourmet food court … and Expo has everything you need to get set for a great summer filled with memories to last a lifetime.”
The aluminium boat-builder with a cult following, Quintrex, will conduct guided tours of its massive facility, while TAFE Queensland’s Gold Coast Marine Training Centre will also open its doors to the public as an informative addition to its exhibit.
Iconic Australian luxury yacht builder Riviera will conduct factory tours too, via a fully narrated train ride, The Riviera Express, which will provide visitors and the families of its 430 master craftsmen and team members an insight into the pride and passion that goes into every Riviera yacht.
“Preliminary enquiries into both the Quintrex and Riviera factory tours has been very strong,” says Ms Milne. “It’s great these companies will give visitors a behind-the-scenes tour of how they create their boats.”
Expo offers free parking and the nominal ticket price of $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (with children under 15 admitted free when accompanied by an adult) helps raise money for the charities that volunteer their time to help make the event a success.
“A lot goes into conducting an event of this scale,” said Ms Milne. “And our valued volunteers do a fantastic job of marshaling and helping in any way they can to make Expo not just one of the best marine events in Australia, but one of the most affordable too!”
The 2014 Expo charities are the Rotary Club of Coomera River, the Westpac Helicopter Lifesaver Rescue Service, Sailability Gold Coast and the Sea World Search & Rescue Foundation. To date, the event has raised over $50,000 for charity.
Expo is an initiative of founding partners, Clipper Motor Yachts, Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, Riviera and International Paint. National Australia Bank is a 2014 event partner and NAB customers can show their bank or credit cards at the gate to gain priority entry.
