The 2010 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
The 2010 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show being staged later this month in Australia has seen an increase in exhibitor numbers with keen anticipation by the marine sector of a successful business event.
2010 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is Australasia’s most significant marine lifestyle event held at Sanctuary Cove, Queensland.
The 22nd annual Show is staged at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast from Thursday, May 20 to Sunday, May 23.
Recognised as a leading marine event in the Asia Pacific region, the Show has drawn 414 exhibitors, close to 100 marine product launches and slightly up on the 2009 figure of 406.
“We are delighted to receive international attention with international exhibitors or buyers coming from United States, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Jordan, Turkey and Italy to name a few countries,” said Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show general manager Barry Jenkins.
“In April I attended the China International Boat Show as part of our year-long international marketing and received the strongest level of inquiry in around a decade of marketing the Show in China,” said Mr Jenkins.
There are 98 world and Australian marine product releases at this stage with close to 200 boats on water at the marina, 7000sqm of pavilion space fully booked and a further 7590sqm of hardstand display space.
“We believe the marine industry is approaching the show with a positive outlook with many manufacturers planning new releases to capture buyers during the Show,” said Mr Jenkins. “Pavilion and hard stand exhibition areas received particularly strong bookings.”
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show traditionally attracts around 50,000 visitors to the four-day event. Displays across the site are valued at millions of dollars. A survey of the 2008 Show found the event generated more than $A310 million to the Gold Coast economy.
As in past years, there is an International Business Lounge to assist international buyers. This year, initiatives include Australia’s first sea trial area at a boat show and a dedicated Prestige Brokerage and Charter display.
A wide array of boats and marine products are displayed with multi million dollar vessels from international brands such as Princess, Sunseeker, Fairline, Fleming Yachts and power vessels from leading Australian companies such as Maritimo, Riviera and Assegai Marine.
There are world launches of sail boats, trailerable vessels, smaller power boats and a range of marine accessories and marine business services.
“Ticket sales have been strong for the Australian Marine Industry Breakfast facilitated by Gold Coast City Marina,” said Mr Jenkins. This ticketed public event features Thom Dammrich from the US, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and president of the International Council for Marine Industries (ICOMIA) as guest speaker. The breakfast is held on Friday, May 21.
In other news, Chris Murray will start his appointment as Sanctuary Cove General Manager Events and Marina a week out from the event.
Mr Murray, who has formerly held roles with the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Clipsal Australia Pty Ltd and PDL Electrical Solutions, will take the opportunity to see first-hand the operation of the event.
A long time boat owner, Mr Murray raced sailing dinghies in his teens then owned a range of pleasure and fishing boats. He has competed in marlin and offshore sportsfishing tournaments, navigational log events and has delivered yachts to various ports.
Ticket sales for the Show are available online. Online tickets offer a small discount to gate ticket entry. One-day online general admission costs $A22 with concession online tickets at $A19. Children aged 14 years and under are free.
During the Show, there is no public parking on site however streamlined transport options include Park ‘n’ Ride, water taxi and ferry transfer, helicopter transfer and limousine and taxi drop off.
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is recognised internationally with membership of the prestigious International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO)
The 2010 Show’s major sponsor is Club Marine. Media partners include Channel 7, Radio 4KQ, Trade A Boat, BoatPoint.com.au and Gold 92.5FM. Sponsors include Hawker Pacific, the Queensland Government, Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove. Boat Show staff are dressed by Line 7. Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is a member of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO), the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) and Marine Queensland.
The $A2 billion Sanctuary Cove, located on the northern Gold Coast, is Australia’s leading and most successful master-planned community. Sanctuary Cove, which was first launched in 1986 by developer Mike Gore, was acquired by current owners Mulpha Sanctuary Cove (Developments) Pty Limited in 2002. MSCD is an arm of Mulpha Australia Limited, which is a subsidiary of Mulpha International BHD, a Malaysian listed company.
