Sponsorship drives sailing, Marine Auctions, Melbourne Summer Show

by Jeni Bone, editor on 22 Jan 2013 The year is well and truly underway if you can judge by the flood of boat show, new product and company news flooding in.

There are more stories that you can poke a boat hook at this week and among them, a follow up to our piece on Sailing Sponsorship – the pros, and what cons?, detailing the ROI on the big races and regattas - VOR, Rolex Sydney to Hobart and Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - from the perspective of the sponsors and the crews.

There is compelling, independent analysis of the value of these events and by extrapolation, other boating events, to the industry, the sport, sponsors and communities who host such events. A win-win-win-win situation!

There's news of the stellar line-up the organisers of the 2013 ASMEX conference have assembled, and updates on European, US, NZ, Asian and Australian boat shows, starting with the Melbourne Summer Boat Show, 3-5 Feb at Docklands.

There's a remarkable study from the US that sheds light on an often touted but sometimes neglected market, the Baby Boomers, who like their Grey Boomer generation before them can sometimes be 'over 50 and overlooked' by marketers determined to keep pace with the X and Y Gens, rather than realising where the money is.

With an estimated annual spending of $2 trillion, according to MetLife Mature Market Institute, boomers have their sights set on recreational activities. And that, says NMMA, is where boating needs to position itself as the bridge between generations and the ideal pastime to keep Boomers active, interested and connected to their communities.

If you're finding it hard to stay focused and motivated after a delightful summer holiday, spare a thought and vicarious shiver for the crew of the Alexandra Shakleton, heading into polar waters to recreate the voyage of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

With equipment and supplies identical to those of an era 100 years before them, this intrepid crew will trace the journey of survival, crossing 800 nautical miles of the treacherous southern ocean from Elephant Island to South Georgia, and the climb over its mountainous interior.

They set off Sunday 20 January, 2013 and aim to honour the achievements of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men in the lead up to the centenary of the expedition (2014-2016) while raising awareness about the impacts of climate change in Antarctica.

Don't forget, Marine Auctions is holding its first online auction for the year 25-31 January, open to bids from everybody no matter where they are located, and their first on-site auction for the year at Rivergate Marina, Brisbane Saturday 9 February. Check out the assortment of boats and other marine assets!

For my part, I am spending Australia Day on the Gold Coast Broadwater (not Sydney as the image would suggest), fishing and if not catching, then most certainly eating local seafood as we celebrate (two days this year, folks) Saturday 26 and the public holiday on Monday 28. Where else would you swindle two days out of a public holiday to toast how great we are?

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!

Wherever you are, land or lake, sea or stream, count your blessings and go easy on the grog.

See you back here for news day in and day out. Keep your feedback and ideas flowing as we appreciate every morsel.