60th Melbourne Boat Show postponed

60th Melbourne Boat Show © Melbourne Boat Show

The long-awaited, much anticipated 60th Melbourne Boat Show, will now be conducted from 16 - 19 June 2022.

After detailed consideration of all event-related factors, the BIAV Board has decided to postpone the 2021 event, and allow the industry full recovery opportunities, before delivering another world-class boat show in 2022.

"The Board weighed up the current stock, supply and timeline challenges that exhibitors were facing, and the fact that some won't have stock to show", commented BIAV President David Meehan. Adding, "In a way, these are good problems to have, and it's great to see such energy and demand across all facets of the industry. However, the downside is our inability to deliver a show that will meet both visitor and industry expectations. We will be back in 2022 with a refreshed and exciting new show program for our 60th show; the planning of which is already under way".

The BIAV is pushing ahead to finalise participating Exhibitors for the 2022 Show with a view to lock in all Exhibitors by end of March 2021. While this may seem like an early close date for a 2022 show it is vital to enable all exhibitors to successfully reserve their place and provide commitment to order stock to arrive in time for this event, with confidence, knowing their approximate stand size and draft floorplan layout that they expect to receive.

We haven't stopped there for 2021/22; also on the BIAV event agenda are outdoor, activation events in October and February this coming Spring/Summer. Watch this Space as these event plans are developed with a real focus on new entrants to the Discover Boating market, on-water demonstrations, displays, entertainment, and fantastic opportunities to exhibit boats, equipment and all things boating. Being later in the year, and early next year will allow these events/activations the required time for stock issues to be addressed. It is expected also, that these events being outdoor in the sun, will help with any lingering covid challenges. These events will lend themselves ideally to new entrants coming into the market which we've seen in recent months as being at unprecedented levels, and something for the industry to really capitalise on. More information about these exciting new events/activations will be shared over the coming weeks so please Watch this Space.

The BIAV is very grateful to all of the exhibitors that have taken part over the years, those that we're exploring all possible avenues so as to be able to exhibit in 2021, and those that are so loyal and supportive of the overall industry. The current mood suggests a strong appetite for the 2022 Melbourne Boat Show and other supporting events/activations. BIAV will be very focussed on working with members and exhibitors to deliver the right events to get the best return on investment for exhibitors, and to provide great experiences for current and potential new boaters who attend.