The past two years have seen some changes in the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) team, with senior events personnel coming on board to inject SCIBS with new enthusiasm and adding their expertise to that of the foundation crew, Harry Davis as well as Barry Jenkins.
Gemma Tanks joins the Boat Show team as an Administration Assistant
The 2014 event will be Harry and Barry’s 26th SCIBS. They were among the small group of pioneers who presented the first boat show in 1989.
“I would never have guessed the Boat Show would be going strong 26 years later and develop into what it is today,” said Harry.
In those early days, exhibitors were quick to take up the opportunity to exhibit at the fledgling event. There were 104 at the first show, mostly drawn from south-east Queensland. Visitors poured in, causing all kinds of traffic headaches for the local police, such was the interest.
As Barry Jenkins recalls, “The boat show had potential, we saw that from the results of the first event. Exhibitors were ecstatic with sales, which really created the impetus to analyse the potential and plan for the future. Then we waited for the right time to take it international and started promoting it internationally in 1999, which is when the show and the industry really took off.
Corey Rattray-Wood - Events Operations Manager
“The recreational marine industry was growing by six per cent per annum at that stage, and SCIBS had to grow to keep pace with the expanding industry. The show has faced the same economic challenges and highs and lows as the boating industry, which supports the point that boat shows reflect the state of the broader marine industry.”
According to Barry, “Boat shows are the window of the industry, most sales of boats and equipment occur at boat shows”.
“Our motto: ‘Where the Marine Business Does Business’ has always been what we aspire to, attracting the industry as well as consumers. Sanctuary Cove does its utmost to deliver for our exhibitors.”
Some new team members will join the crew for SCIBS 2014, along with some familiar faces which have been on board at Sanctuary Cove for a year or more.
Corey Rattray-Wood has been promoted to SCIBS Events Operations Manager from his former role as Events Operations Coordinator at the Boat Show in 2013, which he described as “a unique event, lots of fun and great to work with such a multi-talented team”.
Prior to joining Mulpha Sanctuary Cove, Corey honed his skills working with Tennis Australia in Melbourne as Event Operation Coordinator on the Australian Open tournament.
“It was a similar role, but because there were more people involved, I was only required to focus on a specific operational area. With SCIBS, I found all my skills called on, which was very fulfilling. I am really looking forward to the 2014 boat show in this new role, working with contractors and stakeholders as the show comes together,” said Corey.
Moving to the Gold Coast from Cairns, Gemma Tanks joins the Boat Show team as an Administration Assistant. Gemma has worked in events and marketing within the Hospitality and Tourism industry for several years, most recently as the Sales and Marketing Coordinator for Vision Hotels and Resorts which incorporates Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club and The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa in Cairns.
“It’s exciting for me to move into the marine and boating industry. Barry and Harry are a wealth of knowledge, not just their knowledge about SCIBS, but also about the industry and history of Sanctuary Cove. I’m looking forward to SCIBS this year and being involved in such a significant large-scale event,” said Gemma.
Johan Hasser, Head of Events says the new recruits offer new perspective, skills and energy to the team.
“This heralds a new era of SCIBS which we are committed to making bigger, better and fresher each year,” he said.
Proudly sponsored by Club Marine, the 2014 SCIBS will run from Thursday, May 22 to Sunday, May 25.
