BOAT SHOWS - SCIBS' Women on Water

The increasing role of women in the marine industry will be acknowledged by Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) with a new series of activities for this year’s event to celebrate Women on Water.

These include seminars, fashion parades, skipper training aimed at women by a female skipper, and female-focused lunches with entertainment and giveaways. Show dates are Thursday, May 19 to Sunday, May 22 from 9am to 5pm daily.

SCIBS general manager events and marketing, Sue Thomson, says research shows women are an increasingly important marketing sector for consumer spending and wealth.

“The Boston Consulting Group has found women control $US20 trillion in consumer spending around the world and the figure is growing annually. The study found women take care of household finances in many instances,” said Thomson. SCIBS added that other research indicates disposable incomes are highest among women aged 45 to 54 years in the US and in the next decade, US women will control two-thirds of the consumer wealth in that country.

“Our Women on Water program recognises the role of women in decision making — whether it be expenditure on a new boat or the trend of women to set-up their own businesses,” said Thomson.

“Each year, we try to keep the Show relevant to both the marine industry and those interested to be involved with boating. This initiative reflects changing market trends,” she said. Most events within the Women on Water program are free, included within the boat show ticket price. Some lunch events require bookings and payments.

As part of the Women on Water program, the Queensland Marine Training Services will provide two skipper training sessions each day at 11am and 2pm aimed at women aboard a 42ft Steber. As numbers are limited, bookings are essential via Sanctuary Cove, phone (07) 5577 6011 (+61 7 55 77 6011).

In other news, details of the Marine Queensland fishing and boating seminars have been released.

The fishing program offers a range of topics by industry professionals including Big Tailor from Surf Beaches; Gold Coast Spotties and Spaniards; Wild Caught Barra – Kakadu to the Pilbara; Kayak Fishing in the Upper Estuaries Regions and Planning that Round Australia Fishing Trip.

Boating seminars include Boat Security and Boat Handling Tips and topics on current issues impacting the Australian marine industry with Bio Regional Planning – Marine Closures and Exclusion Zones and an 11am daily session on Grey Imports – The Pitfalls of Importing Your Own. All boating and fishing seminars are free.

SCIBS says it currently has 320 exhibitors with 46 world and Australian marine product and service launches confirmed, with many more to come.

Riviera will launch two new models into the world market at Sanctuary Cove — the 53 Flybridge and 61 Series II Flybridge, while E Marine is displaying the Back Cove 30 motoryacht in an Australasian boat show launch

The Hydra-Sports 3000CC will be launched in the southern hemisphere at SCIBS. Exhibitor ipMarine is showcasing two models of new Linssen boats for the first time in Australia.

Mercury’s new 350 Amanzi is likely to draw interest as will new releases by exhibitor RIB Force Inflatables in the AB Inflatable range.

New sailboats at the show include the Salina 48 Evolution and the revamped Orana 44 sailing catamaran displayed by exhibitor Multihull Solutions. Team Windcraft showcases the Hanse 355 in an Australian release along with the Hanse 445 and Moody 41 Classic.

SCIBS says there’s a huge range of new accessories with DeckHardware’s introduction of the Unimer Marine collection of mooring compensators and GME’s G-Series with a chartplotter G.Plot, fishfinder G.Fish and combination unit G.Combo unveiled in the Australian market.

Exhibitor JN Taylor and Company Ltd is showcasing Furuno’s BBDS1 Bottom Discrimination Sounder; the Maxsea Timezero Professional Fishing software Maxsea PLOT; and Maretron’s latest technology for engine and vessel monitoring, the DSM800.

As with each year, there is a daily schedule of events with live radio broadcasts, cooking demonstrations by Club Marine chef Bart Beek, roving musicians all included in the boat show entry ticket price.

Online ticket prices are: $22 one day adult; $19 one day concession; $40 two-day adult; and $75 four-day adult. (Children 14 years and under have free entry).

VIP packages are now available, including luxury accommodation and helicopter transfers. View details and book directly through Cove Travel at www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au

President Monte Carlo Yachts S.p.A Carla Demaria is guest speaker at the Australian Marine Industry breakfast staged at the Show on Friday, May 20. This is a ticketed event and bookings are open.