Marine Queensland’s ‘fantastic showcase’

by Bob Wonders on 14 Apr 2011 The ninth Tinnie and Tackle Show, actually the seventh staged in conjunction with the four-wheel drive/off road industry, has attracted more than 34,600 visitors to Brisbane’s RNA Exhibition Grounds.

Held over the three days, April 8 – 10, the exhibition attracted scores of families taking advantage of the free admission for children under 15-years.

As usual, fishing tackle exhibitors did a ‘roaring trade’ and it was common to see visitors departing the show loaded with rods, reels and assorted angling equipment.

All in all, Marine Queensland members comprised more than 100 of the exhibitors, with boats on display ranging from canoes and kayaks to 30’ sport cruisers.

Marine Queensland event manager, Jason Plant, described the marine segment of the exhibition as 'a fantastic showcase for the Queensland trailer boat industry.'

'The success of this event continues to be testament to the fact that Queenslanders love the outdoors and enjoy the boating lifestyle,' he said.

'We have had excellent feedback from exhibitors with great reports on the number of sales made, including boats, fishing tackle and all manner of boating accessories.

'Mobile refrigerators, marine electronics and outboard engines rated highly as the show’s popular choices,' he added.

Coorparoo Marine’s Michael Neville fated the 2011 exhibition as the dealership’s best Tinnie and Tackle Show to date.

'The show for us could best be summed up in one word, fantastic,' he said.

'We experienced strong sales and interest across all three days of the show and with plenty of follow up we’re looking forward to a busy few weeks ahead.'

In a first for the exhibition, two rival dealerships, Northside Marine and Wynnum Marine combined forces with a shared Stacer Aluminium Boats stand.

Well-known industry identity and CEO of Northside Marine, Greg Nickerson, said the shared stand could only be termed 'an overwhelming success.'

'It was great to be in the position to provide show visitors with a comprehensive, one-stop display of Stacer’s finest,' he said.

Darren Nichols, of Wynnum Marine, noted that the two businesses shared more than 90-years of marine experience.

'The fact that we are both long-established businesses in the marine industry contributed greatly tour being able to team up with our common brand,' he explained.

As expected the Fishing Expo was a highlight and provided non-stop seminars and demonstrations, with the added delight of numerous ‘give aways’ courtesy of several tackle distributors and manufacturers.

International guest, ‘extreme fisherman’ Matt Watson was a ‘star’ and showed his popularity with hundreds sitting to hear his stories of big game fishing from kayaks and helicopters.

The Fishing Expo was also the stage for the daily weigh-ins for the 2011 Humminbird Queensland Open.

Team Samurai Reaction claimed the trophy and the $8000 cash bonus with Team Sunstate Hobie/TT Lures/Aussie Home Loans taking second place.

'Marine Queensland is certainly well pleased with the event and sincerely hope it has been as beneficial to our members as it appeared,' Jason Plant added.

'We’re now looking forward to the big one, the 2011 Brisbane International Boat Show set for the Brisbane Convention Centre, August 25-28.

'Dates for next year’s Tinnie and Tackle Show will be announced shortly,': he added.

For further information contact Marine Queensland, telephone (07) 3899-3333.