Rallying call for YACHT CN 2013 (Nansha Boat Show)

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 11 Aug 2013 60 days to go to the Nansha Marina Boat Show, otherwise known as ‘Yacht CN’. And just to make sure, last night was the ‘Yacht CN 60 Days Countdown Extravaganza’ hosted by, and at, Nansha Marina. Media and exhibitors associated with what will be only the second Nansha Boat Show were treated to a buffet dinner, water ballet, dancing and a few speeches before Eric Fok, Commodore of Nansha Marina Club and Director of Fok Ying Tong Group, lit the 60 days Countdown Flame, assisted by Alastair Morgan, British Consul-General in Guangzhou. Yes, it was all very Olympic.

Nansha Marina’s Yacht CN 2013 will take place 10-13 October 2013.

Last year’s inaugural event was both boat show and conference. It was a good opportunity to fill up (partly, at least) the spacious and very well-appointed Nansha Marina which is now almost two years old and still looking rather empty. 17 boats were reported sold at the show, and an estimated RMB100m of business was transacted. Clearly, however, the sales did not stay at Nansha - there are currently 10 berths occupied in a 300-berth facility.

At last night’s ceremony, guests were reminded that Yacht CN involved over 50 exhibitors, and had 60 boats on display. Exhibitors were said to be delighted that ‘the quality and number of visitors have exceeded our expectations,’ and overseas marine industry visitors declared that ‘the level of organisation complies with the highest international standards.’

This year’s event has been extended to four days, ‘by popular demand’, of which two will be Trade & VVIP Days ‘in order to improve visitor experience’. Yacht CN 2013 will also include a Lifestyle section, showing off a range of luxury cars and private jets, and a ‘massive Pearl River Delta Nansha Sailing Rally gathering yachts from all over Hong Kong, and Macau.’

Yacht CN management advise that 40 in-water berths have been booked by exhibitors already. Prospective participants at the show include Princess, Sunseeker, Azimut, Marwuis, Jebsens, Starship Yachts, Nautica Salpa, Speedo Marine, Omnia, Heysea, Sealine, Dafeiyang, Maxi Marine, Noble, Sunway, NISI, HK Shipyard and more.

In April this year, on the final day of the Singapore Yacht Show, Nansha (Eric Fok, Commodore) and Andy Treadwell (CEO Singapore Yacht Exhibition) signed a Memorandum of Understanding bringing together Nansha Yacht CN and Singapore YS as ‘Affiliated Boat/Yacht Shows’. Fok said, ‘the strategic partnership between SYS and Yacht CN marks the joint efforts of both show organisers and their keen interest in promoting the shows beyond their immediate regions, by sharing joint resources and marketing efforts.’

www.yachtcn.net