Focus back on Australian Products

Australian companies continue to profile and promote their capability globally and were especially excited about the responses received at METS recently where over 20,500 people visited the show during its three-day run, an encouraging figure compared to the 19,617 people who attended last year's event. Exhibitor numbers were also up from 1,318 in 2012 to 1,320 this year.

Following on from a very successful show at Ft Lauderdale there is a lot more optimism coming into the market and with the Australian dollar being at a more competitive rate the Australian Pavilion at METS was a hive of activity.

The launch of the new VEEM Gyro 40 attracted considerable interest with a number of the world’s largest superyacht builders attending the launch and expressing their interest in the product.  An extensive range of the Palm Products drinkware was on display at the show this year, these products have been gaining traction with a number of market segments including the superyacht sector.  The spotlight was also on the new innovations from Ronstan, SOS Marine, TMQ and new exhibitors Greencorp Marine who attracted considerable attention. Barz Optics also had an excellent show with distributors doubling their orders for the coming season.

The Outback Party hosted by AIMEX and supported by Australian insurer IC Frith certainly made an impact with well over 150 stakeholders in attendance.  Richard Chapman President of AIMEX welcomed guests saying he was excited by the visitor numbers at METS and the fact that visitors particularly sought out the Australian pavilion and Australian products.  He said “We have a very robust industry, we have a new government who understands the economic importance of our sector and above all with the dollar dropping sales are growing”.  Chapman mentioned the successful Australia Marine Export & Superyacht Conference coming up in 2014 and highlighted the programme which as always will appeal to all stakeholders interested in learning about or doing business in Australia.

AIMEX continues its drive to promote Australian capability with a trade mission to Asia coming up and the establishment of an Australian stand the Miami show for the first time.