IFBSO, the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers, has recently hosted its annual Congress in its 50th anniversary year of the adoption of the Constitution. The event came to an end on a high note, with new members, an enlarged Executive Committee as well as a new structure and strategy firmly in place.
Held annually in conjunction with ICOMIA, the Congress and AGM took place place in Istanbul in Turkey this year from 4th – 7th June 2014. After falling membership numbers and a lack of direction in the past, the current President, Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel (Show Director of boot Düsseldorf) promised the IFBSO membership to turn things around and give the organisation a used focus, re-position the brand and make membership much more meaningful.
This process was started following his election as President at the AGM during Congress in 2013 by polling the existing membership to ascertain the type of organisation they wish to belong to in future. Since then, a lot of work has been done behind the scenes and in order to accommodate the members’ requirements for a more proactive organisation and significantly increased and improved communication both internally and externally, IFBSO appointed Renate Maddocks-Born who took over the Secretariat as used Secretary General in January 2014.
According to the used self-image of the Federation, being part of the IFBSO group enables members to become a trusted adviser for the maritime leisure industry and to lead exhibiting companies successfully into different markets worldwide.
In order to improve communications amongst the members and wider industry, build up a greater pool of knowledge and make the organisations relevant to all markets, IFBSO has created 5 regional groups whose members will be in regular contact, compile and circulate market intelligence to the rest of the membership and whose spokespersons will, in future, be on the Board of IFBSO.
Rather than limiting access only to organisers whose shows have been in existence for 3 years or more, IFBSO is now offering a tiered membership (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Candidate) which means that new shows can apply to become a Candidate Member and undergo a 3 year mentorship undertaken by one of the long established members from one of the relevant regional groups.
IFBSO also offers Associate membership to companies associated with the recreational marine trade industry and Honorary membership can be bestowed on individuals of particular standing within the industry. IFBSO is pleased to announce that its first Honorary Member is Nick Hopkinson, Publisher of IPC Media’s B2B Group.
IFBSO has successfully confirmed used members to its Executive Committee at the AGM on 5th June which is now made up as follows: Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel (boot Düsseldorf) – President, Irene Dros (METS-Amsterdam RAI) – Vice President, Jurij Korenc (Portoroz Boat Show) – Past President, Bengt Wallin (Gothenburg Boat Show) – Treasurer, Ben Wold (NMMA – Miami) – Member, Helena Gao (Shanghai UBM Sinexpo) – Member, Adrian Danson (London Boat Show & Southampton International Boat Show) – Member, Hanse Thorslund (Stockholm International Boat Show) – Member, Roy Privett (BIA – Sydney International Boat Show) – Member.
The newly found optimism and energy was tangible during the Executive Committee meetings and member workshops and apart from a new, interactive website, IFBSO members can expect many more initiatives in the weeks and months ahead. The new structure was also warmly welcomed by the Board of ICOMIA and both organisations will work together even closer in future.
In summary, Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel was satisfied that the claim: “IFBSO, the world’s leading boat shows, has been filled with new life and that member boat shows are exercising leadership within their markets to distinguish themselves from non IFBSO members and that they are providing direction and guidance for the boating industry, are influential in their business environment and are LEADING their exhibitors to success!”
