Covid uncertainty continues to impact event activity - Australian MarineBusinessWorld.com newsletter
by Peter Rendle 11 Feb 2021 14:00 PST
60th Melbourne Boat Show © Boating Industry Association of Victoria
While the pandemic seems to have reached a level of increased management, the states continue to adopt different rules to keep control of the virus. Hopefully the vaccine roll-out will overcome many of the various restrictions in the future. However, the organisers of the Melbourne Boat Show have taken the decision to cancel this year's event.
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. He adds, "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".
Similarly, and despite the industry buoyancy currently, the Marina Industry Association (MIA) regrets to announce that the continuing uncertainty around border closures and lockdowns has led to the postponement of the Marinas21 International Conference & Trade Show scheduled for May 24-25 May 2021. It will now take place 23-24 May 2022. Mike Harvey, who has chaired the conference organizing committee since 2007 said, "We are very disappointed to be postponing as all in the industry were really looking forward to catching up in person. Following long border closures throughout 2020, the last few months have seen snap lockdowns and regional closures and demonstrates the uncertainty that we are likely to face until the vaccination roll-out is well under way. We believe that it is in the best interests of the Association and exhibitors, who will invest significant resources in preparing for the event, to defer to a time when we believe there will be greater certainty and confidence around attendance and travel."
Meanwhile in Queensland the highly anticipated 32nd edition of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS), to be held from May 20-23 at the vibrant Marine Village on the Gold Coast, is shaping up to be a bumper year following the launch of exhibitor bookings in mid-December. Among the prominent brands having already applied for prime positions on water are Maritimo, Horizon, Princess Yachts, Integrity, Whitehaven, Eyachts, Azimut, Sunseeker, Hampton, Fairline, Palm Beach, Grand Banks, Fleming, Beneteau, Lagoon and Iliad.
Industry dealership expansions continue to make the news. MarineMax the US owner of the Aquilla range have appointed a new distributor in Australia, the Whitehaven Group. Aquila Power Catamarans expands its global footprint, signing the new Australian based distributor to represent Aquila in Australia and New Zealand. Yvan Eymieu, International Sales Manager for Aquila Power Catamarans, comments, "Aquila decided to transition dealerships in Australia as we prepare to introduce two new models, a 54-foot and a 70-foot yacht-styled power catamarans. The Whitehaven Group plans to unveil the Aquila 54 Yacht to the Australian market at the Sydney International Boat Show in August of 2021."
On the sailing scene Hyde Sails have announced that Bull Sails is now an Australian distributor. Bull Sails will continue to be an active sailmaker, busy each day designing and making sails for small boats and quick turnaround. The affiliation with Hyde will however open up new markets that includes large cruising sails, One Design, Grand Prix racing sails, Kitesurfing and Wing Sails.
New boats this week is all about power catamarans. Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts has announced the latest addition to its award-winning range. With its sleek Sportstop design, the new MY4.S represents a significant rejuvenation of the MY37, and is an exciting addition to the entry-level power cat market. Defined by exhilarating performance and exceptional volumes that shatter benchmarks set by monohull motor yachts of this size, the new MY4.S will be available in late 2021 and is already in strong demand by Asia Pacific power enthusiasts. Further information on the new MY4.S or any of the Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts range can be obtained by contacting Multihull Solutions on +64 (0) 9 432 7032 or tollfree (within Australia) 1800 855 338 or visiting www.multihullsolutions.com.au
From Europe, the first Excess 12 and Excess 15 in Asia Pacific hit the waters in Australia via Flagstaff Marine and New Zealand via 36 Degrees Broker) respectively last year. The first Excess 11 in the region arrives this February in Yokohama, Japan. Commissioned by dealer Odyssey Marine and the yacht will have its Asia-Pacific premiere during Excess Tour in Yokohama held from March 20th to 21st. It will also be publicly presented at the Japan International Boat Show 2021 taking place from April 15th to 18th.
New people include the announcement from Navico of the hiring of its first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer this week as the company has made sustainability one of its core strategic pillars globally across its brands, products, operations and production. Tara Norton joins Navico as Chief Sustainability Officer from French multinational Engie Impact, where she worked with its Corporate and Government clients to accelerate their energy transition to cleaner energies. "We are dedicated to being an environmentally-responsible company," said Knut Frostad, CEO of Navico Group. "We believe there is a common mutual interest within the marine industry and our consumers to drive this forward, and we care deeply about protecting the very environment in which we all work and play. With the hiring of Tara, Navico is poised to be a leader in this on-going paradigm shift as our industry moves towards more sustainable practices."
We continue to report the industry news faster and more complete than any other media in Australia. Our newsletter is free. If you have friends or colleagues that you feel would benefit from staying up to date with industry matters, you can find the subscription enrolment form at www.marinebusinessworld.com/Australia/newsletter
Stay Safe,
Peter Rendle peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com