Brisbane Boat Show

The 2010 Brisbane Boat Show has been hailed as a huge success by organisers, with sales up by a reported 30 per cent. Marine Queensland events manager Jason Plant said the success of this year’s boat show demonstrates a positive feeling not only in our industry, but the economy in general.

“The exhibitors and their products are the stars of the show, we’ve hosted some fantastic new product launches and had some truly amazing products on display here this year; from the jetski powered boat to the unsinkable Boston whaler,” said Plant.

Over the four days, thousands of people looked around more than 400 boats, jet skis, kayaks and water craft.

Marine Queensland said many of the 102 exhibitors reported record sales at the 50th annual show.

Greg Haines from The Haines Group who has exhibited every year for 50 years gave a positive appraisal of the show. “We are delighted with this year’s Show and have achieved strong sales and huge amounts of traffic to our stand."

Gary Holzwart, owner of Brisbane Ski Boat Centre, a Brisbane Boat Show regular for over 30 years, made comment that they had experienced one of their best shows with a number of orders now in place. Visitors came to see the stand from as far as Cairns to arrange a viewing – by Saturday lunch time, sales had exceeded expectations and combated any fears of a quiet show following the GFC last year.

Gaven Paterson QLD state manager Yamaha Motor Australia reported in excess of $3.5million in finance approved at the show with more to follow this week. Yamaha Waverunners also experienced great sales with plenty of leads to follow up in the coming days. Smaller exhibitors also reaped the benefits of the crowds. Kevin Barr from Barz Optics said that the 50th show was "one of the best shows of the year", and he had had really good sales throughout the four days in particular Thursday and Friday morning.

50 years of boat shows
More than 150 boat show identities turned out for the Brisbane Boat Show's 50th anniversary celebration during the show.
Hosted at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event recognised key exhibitors who have displayed significant loyalty and dedication to the show over its 50 year history.

“It is a significant achievement and a real credit to the exhibitors who make this show happen year after year,” said Marine Queensland president Sharon Russell.

“We are currently experiencing the hardest period of time our industry has ever seen and to look around the show and see the effort and investment that has gone into the displays is a testament to the resilience of our marine industry.”

Key highlights from the night included presentations to Northside Marine, which had exhibited at 46 consecutive Brisbane Boat Shows, and Wynnum Marine, the only exhibitor to present at all 50 Brisbane Boat Shows.
Greg Haines from The Haines Group was also able to share his family’s boat show experiences which spanned across the show’s 50-year history.
Awards were presented to exhibitors at the 2010 Brisbane Boat Show who had been exhibiting for a minimum of 10 consecutive years.

Those recognised on the night for their contributions to the show were:
• Allstate Boat Licensing & Training
• Australian Master Marine
• BLA
• Boat Books
• Brisbane Skiboat Centre
• Bush ‘N Beach Fishing
• Club Marine
• Coorparoo Marine
• Cunningham’s Marine
• GME
• Hobie Cat Australasia
• Leisure Marine
• Marine Tune
• Queensland Fishing Monthly
• Stones Corner Marine
• The Jetty Specialist
• TMQ International
• BRP Australia
• Honda MPE Australia
• Mercury Marine
• Yamaha Motor Australia
• The Haines Group