Sydney International Boat Show – signs are good

by Rob Kothe on 6 Aug 2007 Darling Harbour was bursting at the seams over the weekend with great weather and large crowds at the 40th annual Sydney International Boat Show and the signs are looking good for two more great days.

BIA NSW's Domenic Genua is smiling after a booming Saturday attendance of 23,727, a 4.6% lift over the same day last year and an excellent Sunday, with numbers still being collated.

‘The show has been extremely positive we have had a very good run. The move in went very smoothly so the exhibitors have opened the show on a very positive note.

‘We’ve been working hard to improve our traffic flows and the traffic flow initiative with the roundabout and wide isles got the people around the halls without creating bottle necks.

‘The marina inspection has worked very well.

‘Whilst attendance numbers are not critical to the formula, our feedback is what is critical to the formula, the quality of the audience is there. The true boaties are here and it is making us very happy because our objective is to ensure a quality audience.

‘The Sydney International Boat Show is not always about buying; it is about educating and entertaining.

'Our objective to provide good entertainment has worked; our fishing audience has been great as always. The Sailing Stage and Better Boating Workshop attendance is again up. We have listened to the public and provided them with the things that they wanted. They are enjoying the presentations, they are sticking around (for the presentations) and everyone is happy.'

At this stage, the 2007 Sydney International Boat Show attendances are clearly up from 2006. Last year there were 84,662 show visitors. Thursday’s attendance was 9,352 an increase of 9.2% over the same day last year. In spite of Friday’s rain, figures were 11,434 an increase of 2.1%.

Sunday numbers are still being processed but the crowded Cockle Bay Marina walkways and Hall aisles yesterday afternoon suggested the numbers were again strong.

With another glorious winter day, its signature time for the Marina exhibitors. As one major exhibitor commented this morning, with a wide smile – ‘the signs are already great.’