Boat Asia to remain at Sentosa Cove

by IBI Magazine on 31 Aug 2006 After a successful three-year run at Sentosa Cove, Suntec Integrated Media announced today that Boat Asia would remain in the Singapore marina hub for the next three years. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on August 29 between Warren Buckley, CEO of Suntec Singapore, Margaret Goh, general manager of Sentosa Cove, and Arthur Tay, chairman of ONE°15 Marina Club, on board the superyacht Hye Seas, berthed at ONE°15 Marina Club.

'Boat Asia, Sentosa Cove and ONE°15 Marina Club collaboration will be a powerful driving force for the local and regional boating industry,' said Suntec Singapore's CEO Warren Buckley in the statement.

Buckley said that Sentosa Cove complemented Boat Asia in terms of its ambience and its aspirations 'to create a new waterfront lifestyle experience' in Singapore.

'Playing host to the region's major boat show is perfect for showcasing the best that Sentosa Cove's emerging marina hub has to offer to its visitors and residents alike,' said Jennie Chua, Sentosa Cove CEO, in the statement. The Singapore government also has plans to open Integrated Resorts and casinos in Marina Bay, as well as on Sentosa itself. Chua said that should prompt increased visits by megayachts.

ONE°15 Marina Club, which claims to be Asia's most well-equipped marina, has 10 megayacht berths (85ft to 200ft), 194 wet berths (35ft to 65ft) and 100 dry berths (30ft and four tonnes in weight). It will be the site for Boat Asia's water displays. ONE°15 Marina Club has shown its commitment to the project by bringing forward the construction of dedicated new pontoons for Boat Asia 2007. To accommodate future growth of Boat Asia, ONE°15 Marina Club is constructing a new pontoon area situated in front of the Sentosa Cove Arrival Plaza that will be wholly dedicated to Boat Asia's exhibitors.

Boat Asia will also be hosting the Waterfront Lifestyle Pavilion at the ONE°15 Marina Clubhouse. Its ballroom will host a black-tie event for boating industry officials and local 'high society', according to the statement.

Arthur Tay, chairman of ONE°15 Marina Club, said that he was delighted to have concluded the three-year collaboration with Boat Asia. 'ONE°15 has been gearing up for its pivotal role in developing the waterfront lifestyle in Singapore to a higher level of participation and is delighted to collaborate with Boat Asia for the next three years,' said Tay. 'ONE°15 Marina Club will be bringing more international boating and leisure events to Singapore as well as developing ONE°15 as Asia's finest Marina and leisure hub.'

Boat Asia 2007 will run from April 19-22, 2007. The 2006 show, which had US, Australian, and European exhibitors, reported a 16 per cent increase in visitors compared to 2005.