Sydney International Boat Show 2014 - Update

New era for Sydney Boat Show BIA NSW

Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island © BIA NSW

Added features to the in-water displays in Cockle Bay will also change the face of this element of the show, all for the better.

We have known 2014 will be different in many ways, and those changes have created both a sense of excitement as well as an opportunity to deliver new and rewarding experiences for our visiting audience.

One thing is for certain, new developments are occurring on a daily basis and as such, please find following an update on the show as of today.

Inside Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island © BIA NSW

Exhibitor Space

Both the Hall and Marina space has been well booked and we continue to work through the allocation process. The undercover halls are completely different and Cockle Bay Marina also has some subtle changes.

It is envisaged that at the conclusion of this allocation process, we may have some small to medium stands available and we therefore welcome further applications for the show. Applications to exhibit at the show have not closed; we will continue to take applications and endeavour to accommodate all members.

Ramps

The Exhibition Centre have agreed to permanently concrete the three rear loading dock ramps to the specifications outlined by the BIA engineers. A temporary solution to the fourth ramp will also be implemented. The ramp work is scheduled for completion before the end of June.

Buses will shuttle between venues © BIA NSW

Transport

The Department of Premier and Cabinet’s NSW Event Operations Group (EOG) is working with the BIA to ensure we have the appropriate and sufficient transport for the event.

The BIA’s visitor modelling is being cross checked by Transport for NSW’s experts and this will be used as the basis from which that EOG will work. Our objective is to ensure that the visitor experience is positive.

The messaging will remain that Darling Harbour will be the door to the boat show with limited parking at Glebe Island.

• Free buses will operate between Central Railway station and Glebe Island
• Free Ferry transfers will operate between Darling Harbour and Glebe Island. This link will be complemented with buses for those not wishing to travel by water.

We are preparing a series of visitor communication tools to ensure show guests know in advance where they can park and how to get around.

Parking

Parking at the Exhibition Centre is limited. As such, our messaging will be: For visitors we suggest that Darling Harbour, with 7,000 parking spots within walking distance of the show, should be their first option. Limited Parking (1,000 spots) will be available at Glebe Island.

For Exhibitors, a special parking rate of $15 per day has been organised for those wishing to park in Harbourside in Darling Harbour. Parking at Glebe Island can be pre-booked at a special rate. Detail will follow soon.

Visitor Experience

Imperative to the success of this year’s show will be to ensure that the visitor has a positive experience. Part of that process will be to explain to our audience how to best plan for their visit, understating travel options, as well as how the FREE ferry and bus services will be made available to get them between the two locations.

To assist the Sydney International Boat Show with this process, the BIA is pleased to announce that Andrew Ettingshausen (ET) and Jessica Watson have both agreed to front our campaign to deliver this and many other messages about the show. Both ET and Jessica are well known, credible and well admired boating personalities who will be an asset to the show. We thank them for joining the Sydney International Boat Show family.

Education & Entertainment

Whilst the show will always remain 'the best place to see boats and the best place to buy boats', the premise for much of our communication is that visitors to the event can expect to be both educated and entertained.

The Marine Precinct will remain a vibrant and educational element at the show where together with Transport for NSW’s office of Maritime Management Centre, and in conjunction with Roads and Maritime and other key organisations, visitors to the show will be able to be guided and have many of their recreational boating questions answered.

The MyBoatingLife.com.au Entertainment Precinct will continue with a fresh layout, great line up of speakers and a non-stop entertainment package including the Musto Fashion Extravaganza to entertain our show guests.

It is always hard to summarise planning for an event as large as the Sydney Show; however the above will hopefully give you an overview of the direction for the show. As show planning goes, numerous other activities are in play and we are certain to deliver more positive surprises by the time the event opens.

Events like the Sydney International Boat Show are made possible because of the industry support, efforts and participation such as yours. For this we thank you. We are also grateful for the support received by those organisations that have joined this year’s show in some way.

Our Partner in Safety remains Roads and Maritime who through the office of the Maritime Management Centre within Transport for NSW, together we remain committed to educating our audience that safe boating is good boating. Our Promotional Partners have also be gracious in providing a little more and something special to make the show a success, they are Yaffa Marine Groups Australian Sailing + Yachting, Cruising Helmsman, Fishing World and Marine Business; The Sydney Morning Herald, Walcon Marine Australia, Musto, Accor’s IBIS and Novotel Hotels, BoatPoint and BoatSales as well as Channel 7’s Sydney Weekender.

For information email info@sydneyboatshow.com.au

More at www.bia.org.au