SCIBS UPDATE - SANCTUARY COVE REFLECTS ECONOMIC UPSWING
The 2010 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) staged later this month has seen an increase in exhibitor numbers with keen anticipation by the marine sector of a successful business event, organisers said.
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, and slightly up on the 2009 figure of 406, and close to 100 marine product launches.
“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 SCIBS 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.”
SCIBS said there are 98 world and Australian marine-product releases at this stage with close to 200 boats on water at the marina, 7000m² of pavilion space fully booked and a further 7590m² 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 Jenkins. “Pavilion and hardstand exhibition areas received particularly strong bookings.”
SCIBS says it traditionally attracts around 50,000 visitors to the four-day event. And a survey of the 2008 Show found the event generated more than $310 million to the Gold Coast economy.
As in past years, there is an International Business Lounge to assist international buyers. This year, SCIBS said 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 multimillion-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 sailboats, trailerable vessels, smaller powerboats 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 Jenkins. This ticketed public event features Thom Dammrich from the US, who is 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.
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 firsthand the operation of the event.
A long-time boat owner, 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 $22 with concession online tickets at $19. Children aged 14 years and under are free. For a full range of gate, two-day and four-day admission tickets, view the website on www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au
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.