ADELAIDE BOAT SHOW – VIBRANT AND GROWING
A vibrancy surrounded the success of the 2004 Adelaide Boat Show with around a 4% higher attendance on 2004 and keen sales experienced across the board on boats, accessories and fishing tackle.
Exhibitors reported sound sales and leads and a high level of interest from what was described as a quality crowd. This has attracted keen interest from several new exhibitors who have already placed orders for substantial space in the 2005 Show.
Other exhibitors new to, or re-visiting the Show were impressed with its presentation and vibrant atmosphere. General manager of BIASA Glen Jones said that “The Show is establishing itself well after year three in the new location, and is getting better every year. Our exhibitors have raised the bar again in their presentation and this has certainly assisted with the success of this year’s show”.
Judges of the BLA Best Stand Awards found their task extremely difficult with so many professionally presented stands to assess, eventually choosing The Riviera Group, Muir Winches, Christies Beach Marine and Yorke Peninsula Regional Tourism as winners based on their overall presentation, workability and presence.
The Show featured a bigger range of luxury cruising craft up to 13m and a sound representation from other big boat companies. There was an excellent balance of ski-boats and water sports products together with a bigger more comprehensive range of fishing boats and cruisers 5.5m to 8m.
Visitors were pleased with the big range of marine electronics, many featuring new products, which together with some ‘new to the Show’ names and a sound complement of deck hardware, presented them with an extensive showcase of accessories to explore.
On the Mercury Stage activities such a the new “What’s the Catch’ cooking competition featuring personalities from major radio stations and Channel 9 Adelaide attracted loads of attention and stunning parades of new look swimwear, casual boat wear and specialised boating gear really stole the show.
Anglers kept the Pro Penn Fishing Team busy with demonstrations and tips, with many scoring a bargain from boat show specials on quality fishing tackle. There was a continuous waiting line to take up the challenge on the new giant sized screen on the ever-popular fish-fighting machine run by the local Northern Districts Sportsfishing Club and with regional tourism groups representing the primary boating regions, information was available on fishing charters and hot spots around the State.
Eighty three people sat for their boat licence in the Yamaha Theatre following well attended boating safety information sessions. The theatre also played host to Rick Huckstepp’s tips on getting the most from marine electronics and his tales of top end fishing trips, both attracting full houses in most sessions.
Countless visitors sought information on boating regulations and safety procedures in the new Pains Wessex Boating Safety Centre where the Navman Navigation Pool kept hosts of kids busy teaching their parents how to navigate correctly.
Out on the water visitors thrilled at the spectacle of world-class wake-boarders in action, learnt the art of fly-fishing, and enjoyed regular boating safety demonstrations, with an estimated further thousand spectators attending these free to the public displays on the Riverbank.
To more fully highlight the new marine industry training scheme the Show staged the national launch of the exciting new Zoom3 Careers in Boating CDRom hosting an impressive line-up of guests and representatives from the international, national and statewide industry, education and training sectors.
The Launch was supported by a Careers in Marine Expo incorporating seminars for vocational education coordinators, training institutions and further education groups on the new system, and careers information for young people.
BIASA President, Andrew Hayes said that “We have received excellent media support for this Show and its activities. Members of the industry have put so much into presenting a show with such depth and diversity for visitors that they deserve to benefit well.”
Overall, the 2004 Adelaide Boat Show proved to be the most comprehensive yet, and one that has left exhibitors and visitors alike geared up for more in 2005.
