Rivergate International Boat Show to suit purists and lifestyle lovers

by Jeni Bone on 6 Mar 2012 Brisbane, Australia and the world will welcome a new boat show to the ranks of major marine showcases, with the anticipated launch of the Rivergate International Boat Show in October 2012.

Rivergate Marina, voted one of the Top 3 Australian Marinas by Boat International USA, is located at Murrarie adjacent to the Gateway Bridge.

According to General Manager of the new event, Tracey Toovey, as Brisbane’s first on-water boat show, the Rivergate International Boat Show will be ideally placed for attracting trade and an enthusiastic public keen to get hands-on experience of boats and the boating lifestyle, all within an easy distance of the CBD.

'The concept is to have an on-water boat show with a festival feel in addition to all things boats and marine, which is clearly our main focus,' she explains. 'We want it to mean a lot of things to a lot of people. We are going to make it family friendly while taking care of the purist marine exhibitors.'

Brisbane River, the cause of so much devastation just last year will be at the thematic and geographic heart of the show.

'We really want to focus on celebrating the river. The Brisbane River is such an important part of Brisbane’s lifestyle and we are keen for people to come out and celebrate our river.'

Rivergate remained impervious to the flooding that impacted 70% of Brisbane’s footprint in 2011.

The show will be held over three days, Friday October 5 to Sunday 7 October, with the Friday nominated as a suitable day for trade and industry networking.

There will be ample parking within easy walking distance and visitors to the show can also easily arrive by water via City Cat and/or ferry transfer.

The extent of the marina complex makes it an excellent venue for a boat show. 'We have 100 marina berths for the on water display and in excess of three hectares of hard stand area where we will have open air displays. There are prime promenade spots adjacent to the marina and a riverside international market place which will provide a festival feel as people arrive from the river.

'Our initial plans cater for 70 exhibitors in the enclosed Exhibition Hall however we have the provision to expand this number significantly if required. We are also happy to tailor any of our display areas to suit exhibitor individual needs,' says Tracey.

'The dramatic backdrop of the Gateway Bridge and proximity to the city centre, together with an abundance of free parking nearby and the choice to arrive by water (allowing visitors to travel to and from the show easily) combine to offer an event like no other.'

Queensland Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business, Jan Jarratt has sent her congratulations to the Rivergate International Boat Show team for getting their big idea off the ground and onto the water.

'A dynamic events calendar is what makes Brisbane such an amazing place to visit and to live,' she says. 'With a jam-packed and growing events calendar, it’s a hot spot for visitors and for local residents alike and I wish the Rivergate Boat Show team every success.'

Music, fashion, entertainment and lots of family fun will appeal to a broad demographic and organisers are hoping to attract more than 20,000 people over three days.

More at www.rivergateboatshow.com.au