Rosehill Trailer Boat Show delivers timely boost

by Bob Wonders on 24 Mar 2013 With the 2012/13 boating season drawing to a close, the annual Rosehill Trailerboat Show staged at the racecourse’s convention and exhibition centre over the weekend of March 16 and 17, has certainly delivered a welcome boost.

Nearly 10,000 boating and angling enthusiasts flocked to Rosehill for the exhibition, more than 250 up on last year.

In fact, the official gate of 9677 was the fifth best in the past 10-years of the Rosehill show.

Domenic Genua, Marketing and Event Manager for show owner/organiser the Boating Industry Association (BIA) of NSW, said he believed the association 'delivered a very good event for our members.'

'We were blessed with excellent weather, the show certainly looked the part and the visitors came,' he said.

'I should point out that the BIA focuses on delivering a quality audience to those exhibitors at all boat shows, but attendance is really the only way we can ‘measure’ a
show’s popularity.

'As far as Rosehill 2013 goes, exhibitor feed back we have received indicates that sales were made, strong leads were generated and considering the current economic conditions many were pleased with the outcome,' he added.

Fifty nine exhibitors were on hand to display their goods and services over the two-day exhibition, with goods on display ranging from blue water fibreglass cruisers to the ever-popular ‘tinnies’, inflatables, canoes, and kayaks.

Marine engines, electronics, general boating accessories and fishing tackle displays all attracted their share of interest.

The Yamaha Supertank with its on-site fishing clinic again proved a popular attraction as did the weigh-ins taking place during the catch and release Yamaha Australian Bream Open.

Eager fans gathered around the sleek (and very quick) bass style boats used by competitors in the tournament.

The major talking point, however, was hard-core business and most exhibitors were confident the show had delivered consumers.

Even those who had not actually ‘taken money’ discovered strong prospects by way of leads and demonstrations to follow up on after the show.

Ian Tricker, proprietor of the big western Sydney Mercury dealership, TR Marine Services, said that business was 'definitely out there'.

However, he said dealers had to work for it and work hard.

'The days when we employed order takers are long gone' he said, 'today you have to employ real sales people'

Jon Hunt (Hunt’s Marine) appeared to support the comment that business was 'out there', but did not come easy.

'We had a good inquiry rate on aluminium boats between the $25,000 and $40,000 brackets and the quality of the attendance was very good,' he said.

'Usual problem though is that it’s so hard to find that ‘trigger’ that actually gets them to commit to purchasing on the day.

'However, follow up has been positive and we sold two fibreglass boats the following week, so all in all a good result,' he added.

Alan Blake, of Blake’s Marine, agreed that business was there for those prepared to put in the effort.

'Really, I think businesses have to virtually re-invent themselves every 10 years or so, otherwise we get left behind,' he said.

From the BIA point of view, the Rosehill Trailerboat Show remains a highly viable exhibition, one that certainly delivers a good audience and importantly it’s usually an audience prepared to buy.

For further information contact the Boating Industry Association of NSW, telephone (02) 9438-2077 or visit the website, www.bia.org.au