Sydney International Boat Show wrap- super success!

by Jeni Bone on 3 Aug 2010 Not only were crowd numbers up, by just 2% - but enough to make organisers and exhibitors smile - also raising the spirits of the industry right across the board, Monday's last burst of show sales, promising leads and trials booked right up til the end of the month.

In fact, so busy handling enquiries and conducting sea tests are many dealers and brands they are not able to tally up their final numbers and issue press statements! What a marvelous problem to have!

Riviera has had a massive show, reports brand director, Stephen Milne. 'We have sold 16 boats at the show, right across the range, worth about $18m so far. Our people are following up many more leads this week and have full prospect books. Sea trials begin tomorrow, so we are confident we will match our total at Sanctuary Cove, which was 19 boats sold.'

Continues Milne: 'We launched the 53 Flybridge on Thursday and have taken four deposits for a boat that will only go into production next March.'

At its Coomera headquarters on Queensland's Gold Coast, Riviera will commence its second production line today, and the company intends to begin a major recruitment drive this week.

'It is a great return for us,' says Milne. 'Sydney felt like the high times of four or five years ago. We had 300 people at our reception on Saturday evening and they were all really positive. There was no talk of the GFC or receivership. People were genuinely ecstatic about the brand, the new models and our future.'

According to the BIA of NSW, consumers and exhibitors reported positive feedback following the close of the show.

'Visitor response to the extensive education and entertainment, led by a strong adventurer theme on the Better Boating Lounge, informative Nautilus Fishing Clinic and educational Marine Precinct prepared by NSW Maritime, was positively embraced by more than 73,000 visitors.

Visitor numbers have stabilised, according to event manager, Domenic Genua, and the quality was high judging by strong sales at every level and in each segment.

'Sydney International Boat Show exhibitors arrived with excellent displays and products clearly selected to fulfil current boating needs. The result, assures a positive foundation for the balance of 2010 and the beginning of 2011.'


VISITOR NUMBERS AT 2010 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Total
Visitors 2009	7421	12120	21221	23297	7751	71810
Visitors 2010	6967	13275	21610	24289	7017	73158
Difference	-454	1154	389	992	-733	1348
	-6%	10%	2%	4%	-9%	2%