Following a very successful 2014 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Mulpha Sanctuary Cove is gearing up for the next year’s 27th edition of the event, with exhibitor opportunities opening next week, on November 6, 2014.
Aerial view of Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is one of the largest boat and marine lifestyle events in the Asia Pacific region, injecting $148 million into the local economy and attracting more than 40,000 visitors to a spectacular display of more than 500 boats and other marine products across four days.
Taking place from May 21-24 2015, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show offers exhibitors unparalleled exposure and sales opportunities. In 2014, more than $45 million in sales was achieved, with additional post-event sales exceeding expectations.
Johan Hasser, Head of Events Mulpha Sanctuary Cove, says the event will bring together some of the most impressive marine lifestyle brands from across the globe, catering for small, medium and large-scale products.
“We are expecting an extraordinary display of marine products at the event next year and have a diverse range of show areas available for all types of exhibitors, following the successful changes made to the site’s layout,” Mr Hasser said.
“Significant upgrades and investments have been made to the site’s layout, the Marina and the boardwalk area, allowing for optimum accessibility and viewing of the boats and marine products, which further enhances the experience for both exhibitors and visitors.
“We are looking forward to giving both exhibitors and visitors alike a spectacular show next year and providing attendees the opportunity to network with other like-minded people, while seeing what is new and upcoming in the marketplace.”
Following the success of the event this year, exhibitor enquiries are gaining momentum in the lead up to the launch of the 2015 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.
Greg Haines, Sales and Marketing Manager of Australian luxury cruiser manufacturer Maritimo, says the company has participated in the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show for 11 years and believes it is one of their key sales events each year.
“The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is the event to launch new models into the marketplace, and next year will see the world-first release of two new Maritimo models, the M65 and M48,” he said.
“The event attracts overseas clientele and dealers and people came to the show this year ready to buy. It’s an upmarket show that attracts high-end visitors and we are really looking forward to the next show.”
With more than 300 exhibitors and 500 boats on display on both land and water, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat show is a truly international event; a mixture of serious boating business and high-end glamorous fun where the who’s who of the marine industry gather for four days of business and pleasure.
Norman Ambrose, of Ausail Marine Group, importers of US built Catalina Yachts, says they have been participating in the Show for 25 years and believes it is an important date on the calendar for their sales.
“The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is very popular with sail boat buyers because they can inspect the latest models from all the major manufacturers and also select the latest electronics and safety and auxiliary equipment,” he said.
“Because it is the first major show on the Australian boat show calendar, many equipment suppliers release their new products and often the Queensland releases coincide with the Australian release. Many customers who purchase a new sail boat at the Show come back for two or three days to purchase all new equipment.”
Leigh-Smith Cruiser Sales were one of the very first exhibitors to sign on for the inaugural Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 27 years ago, and since then have been regular exhibitors as both their business and the event grew.
Third generation boaties Dean and brother Ryan Leigh-Smith of Leigh-Smith Cruiser Sales, agents for Alaska Motor Yachts, Hampton Yachts, and Endurance Yachts, says the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show offers a unique template to showcase luxury products and services.
“It is certainly one of the premier boat shows in the southern hemisphere,” Mr Leigh-Smith says. “It is a high end show and it fits our product and demographic extremely well. The resort style village makes it great for business and also for the social aspect,” he said.
“For us, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show isn’t point-of-sale territory; it’s where we plant seeds, then harvest the fruit days, weeks, months sometimes even years later.”
The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show features the best the marine industry has to offer in one location, from marine products, kayaks, jet skis and trailer boats to multi-million dollar superyachts.
The event will feature live entertainment with musicians, a kids zone, celebrity cooking shows and the ever popular Women on Water events, taking place both on and off the water.
The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is where the marine business does business.
