NEWS - Strong exhibitor interest for METS 2009

IBI Magazine reports Amsterdam RAI, organiser of the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, has revealed that stand sales are virtually on a par with last year's show, with around 1000 repeat exhibitors and nearly 150 new companies.

"We're proud of the result, especially when you hear that exhibitors cancelled other shows and marketing activities but say that exhibiting at METS can make the difference between a difficult year and an impossible year ahead," said acting METS project manager, Sarah Westdijk.

IBI claimed that a robust level of repeat exhibitors, along with the high number of new companies for 2009, is a fantastic endorsement of the perceived value of METS and the SuperYacht Pavilion on a global level. In the METS halls, newcomers feature most strongly from Italy, China, the USA, France and Germany, while in the SuperYacht Pavilion (SYP 2009) new representation is highest from the Netherlands, Italy and the USA.

Exhibitors and visitors will benefit from the new layout of METS 2009, which revolves around the new Elicium building where the DAME Presentation and Media Plaza are located. The entire event spans halls 1-5, 9, 10 and 11.

"All exhibitors now have full information on their new location," Westdijk confirms. "It has been difficult to relocate so many companies, but the revised layout has been well received and gives the show a wonderful new look."

METS 2009 will run from November 17 to 19 at the Amsterdam RAI.

Read Trade-a-Boat issue 384 for our in-depth feature article on METS 2008 from our correspondent, SCOTT FULLER, who attended the giant marine equipment trade show last year.

Photos: METS 2008; Australia at METS 2008.