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Gold Coast International Marine Expo – Exclusive firsts unveiled

by Gold Coast Marine Expo on 21 Mar 2015
Australian-first by Stefan Boating World - Karnic 2965 Cruiser - Gold Coast Marine Expo Gold Coast International Marine Expo
Australia’s new paradigm of boat show – the Gold Coast International Marine Expo – has unveiled a raft of new yachts, products and fun family attractions as the countdown to this unique and massive showcase of all things aquatic strikes Week 11.

The growing list of exclusive firsts for the 2015 Gold Coast International Marine Expo has just been boosted with news Stefan Boating World will have one world and three Australian boat premieres at its massive Expo display.



The latest additions to Expo’s long list of brand-new yacht, boat and product premieres – some being unveiled for the first time in Australia, some for the first time in the world – comes on top of a growing list of exclusive and fun interactive attractions and live demonstrations every 15 minutes throughout the Expo’s four fantastic days of fun (21-24 May 2015).

This week, organisers have also announced that fishing guru Doug Burt will be conducting free seminars covering offshore, estuary and lure fishing, and revealed that its media partnerships will reach over 2.9 million Australians enticing them to the Gold Coast and Expo in May.

Event and Marketing Manager Emma Milne says there will be many more exciting announcements in the count down to Expo, but topping the headlines nine weeks out from opening day is the world and Australian exclusive boat premieres from the charismatic doyen of Australian hair design, Stefan Ackerie.



“In addition to launching three new models from the very popular Karnic range at the Expo’s Riviera site, Stefan will launch an Oceania 30CC, and also open his own massive Waterway Drive boat display showroom, arguably the biggest in Australia, to the public throughout Expo,” she said.

“The new Karnic Smart1-48, built in Cyprus, has never been shown at a boat show anywhere in the world, while the 2015 Karnic 2965 Cruiser, 2015 Karnic Bluewater 2250 Weekender and the advanced Oceania 30CC have never been seen before at a boat show in Australia.”





Clearly the reigning record-holder for a Bass Strait offshore powerboat crossing is as passionate about boating is he is about hair – he this year joined the Expo’s major marine partners in presenting ‘the boat show with so much more’.

“The Gold Coast Marine Precinct is a true powerhouse of the boating world and it has a big future,” Stefan says.

“That’s why I plan to build a Tower of Vision at the Stefan Boating World showroom – it will be more than just a landmark, it will give life, energy and inspiration to all the passionate boaties that visit this iconic precinct from all around the world.



“We are now refining the tower design in conjunction with City of Gold Coast and Mayor Tom Tate and it is getting nicer and nicer all the time. I’m hoping to have something ready for Expo that will make a grand statement.”

Stefan says that while his impressive show of support for the Expo stems from his business interests, he hopes the event continues to serve as a catalyst to bring more people to the Gold Coast.

“I’m taking a group of six people to China (Shanghai) International Boat Show (April 9-12) and I’m spending $50,000 to do that – imagine what it would mean for the Gold Coast if we can attract more and more visitors from around Australia and around the world for four days of fun,” he said.

Ms Milne said Expo was created by marine industry leaders to foster growth and jobs within the wider Australian marine industry, and it was extremely encouraging to have such an iconic Queenslander and boating industry identity as Stefan onboard for 2015.



“Stefan Boating World sits proudly among the biggest yacht and aluminium boat-building facilities in the Southern Hemisphere, and the biggest recreational shipwrights and boat yards in the Southern Hemisphere … right here in Coomera,” she said.

“The Expo this year encompasses almost the entire Gold Coast Marine Precinct, a bustling hub of over 50 hectares of marine manufacturing, export and trade, employment and training – it is where each year over 13,000 boats are built, where almost 6000 boats are slipped, serviced, repaired or refitted and where over 2000 people are directly employed,” she said.

“The value of the supply chain to the Marine Precinct runs into hundreds of millions of dollars.”

The Expo’s unique location enables organisers to offer a truly unique insight into the marine industry at ‘Australia’s Only Working Boat Show’.



Ms Milne said there are many more exciting announcements scheduled in the countdown to Expo, including yacht, boat and product premieres, family fun and interactive attractions and productive partnerships, highlighting the fact the fact that Expo will be ‘a massive showcase featuring everything from superyachts to jet skis, kayaks to fishing equipment … and everything else in between’.

In the countdown to Expo 2015, over the past few weeks, we have already announced:

Family fun and unique attractions

- Notorious, the rare 15th Century caravel replica timber pirate ship, will be open exclusively for Expo visitors – never before seen at a boat show
- A Super 60s line-up of multihulls, never before seen at an Australian boat show
- Yamaha Super Tank fishing demonstrations exclusive to Expo
- Free cruising by ferry between the Expo’s three marinas – an Australian-first
- Factory tours via The Riviera Express of the marque’s world-class luxury yacht building facility – the largest in the Southern Hemisphere
- Factory tours of the massive Telwater manufacturing facility – also the largest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere
- Factory tours of the TAFE Queensland marine training centre
- The new and mighty Gold Coast City Marina 250-tonne straddle carrier – the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere – will be flexing its muscle exclusively for Expo visitors
- Expo Kids will receive free sailing lessons courtesy of Southport Yacht Club
- Beneficiary charity Sailability Gold Coast will conduct special demonstrations at Expo
- The 2015 Expo will have a new and fun on-water interactive zone as well as an Expo Kids Club

Yacht, boat and product premieres at Expo

- World premiere of the new Whitehaven 6000 Coupe pleasure cruiser
- World premiere of the Clipper Cordova 60 motor yacht as part of the largest and exclusive Clipper display
- Riviera’s $15 million red-carpet, on-water showcase is exclusive to Expo and the marque will reveal details of three new luxurious models plus an entirely new yacht design
- World premieres of the 2015 range of Quintrex aluminium boats at its biggest display at any boat show … ever
- World premiere of the new-generation Havana 45 Houseboat
- Australian premiere of the very fast Ballistic RIBs
- The new Seakeeper five gyroscopic stabilizer system will be unveiled for the first time in Australia exclusively at Expo

Partnerships

- Exclusive new partnership with Nine Network ensures unmatched exposure for Expo exhibitors
- Exclusive new partnership with BoatPoint and Boatsales reaches out to massive audience
- Expo partners with Blues on Broadbeach to highlight four fantastic days of fun on the Gold Coast 21-24 May 2015
- City of Gold Coast partners with Expo to showcase local marine innovations
- Expo partners with Surfers Paradise Marriott Hotel and Resort for interstate and international visitors to the Gold Coast and Expo

Love boating? You'll love the Gold Coast in May!

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