Boat Show Events Add to Excitement

Boat Show Events Add to Excitement

The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has an exciting range of business and industry events.

The 20th annual Show, which opens Thursday, May 22 to Sunday May 25, has drawn interest from international and Australian buyers with close to 120 marine product world and Australian launches. Boat Show hours are 9am to 5pm daily.

Dignitaries and international guests will be attending the invitation-only Official Opening on Thursday, May 22 which features Australian marine icon Bill Barry-Cotter.

The Show is truly international as Austrade Marine representatives will represent and accompany buyers from Taiwan, South Korea, China, Dubai, Malaysia and Thailand while Queensland Government representatives are expected to accompany buyers from China. An International Business Lounge operates during the Show for internationals wishing to do business with Australian companies.

Other event highlights include the Smart State Marine Industry Breakfast on Friday May 23. Open to the public, this ticketed event will feature Gold Coast City Mayor Cr Ron Clarke MBE; John Strano, the Executive Director of Manufacturing Industries and Investment, Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry; and a leading international futurist whose identity will be revealed on the day.

Cr Clarke will offer an insight into marine infrastructure plans for Gold Coast City while Mr Strano will discuss the Queensland Government’s marine industry strategy for the coming five years. This associated Boat Show event is supported by the Queensland Government, Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Gold Coast City Council. Tickets cost $A60 per person, bookings are essential. Call (07) 55 77 6214 or email boatshow3@sanctuarycove.com

Boat Show visitors will be kept amused with daily street entertainment and there will be outside broadcasts by 92.5 Gold FM and Radio 4KQ.

The 2008 Show has 448 exhibitors booked for on-water, pavilion and open-air displays.  Now recognized as a leading event in the Asia-Pacific region, there will be around 395 boats on water alone – stretching 5.17km when placed stem to stern plus hundreds more boats and marine products in four large pavilions and through the waterfront hardstand areas. 

Exhibitors use the Show as a showcase for dealer and buyer conferences, launches and social events.

And many marine and government entities have separate activities on the Gold Coast around the time of the Show including the Marine Innovation Conference 08 (on Tuesday, May 20 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre); the Australian Marine Awards (prestigious national marine awards staged by the Australian Marine Industries Federation on Thursday May 22 evening); and the Australian Superyacht Awards 2008 (staged on the Gold Coast Saturday May 24 evening.