Organisers declare success at Gold Coast Marine Expo

ORGANISERS said it was an extremely successful boat show with 15,769 people through the gates and sales in the tens of millions during the three day event proving that the inaugural Gold Coast Marine Expo has "put a breath of fresh air into the marine industry".

Day one began with the official opening by Australian V8 Supercar driver Russell Ingall and his family, which was followed by an entertaining line-up of events and attractions every 30 minutes across the three days including a Westpac Rescue helicopter, YAK aerial show, jumping castle and face painting for the kids, wake-boarding demonstrations, factory tours and boat building demonstrations.

Each day of the three day Expo included a different activity every half an hour including the Travel Lift demonstration, Cable Ski Logan Rail Riders demonstration, Westpac Helicopter mock rescue, Paradise Kids face painting, Riviera Boat design and construction insight, V8 superboats, Expo Air display, music, and much, much more.

Gold Coast Marine Expo spokesman Stephen Milne said organisers were just ecstatic with the response from the public and the boating community.

“We knew the Expo would be a popular event for boating families but we didn’t anticipate such a record crowd on day one,” he said.

The brainchild of Queensland’s boating industry leaders, the Gold Coast Marine Expo featured hundreds of exhibits from the world’s best boating brands to explore sprawled over 36 hectares.

Russell Wright from Horizon Motor Yachts said the secret to this Expo was keeping it casual and the exhibitor rates affordable.

“From the start the organisers have hit on a catchy name and excellent branding.  I am sure we will all be back next year,” Mr Wright said.

JD’s Boatshed general manager Mark Taylor said the Gold Coast Marine Expo was a huge success.

“Having participated in car and boat shows across the country since the 80s, I can honestly say that this was the very first show that supported retailers 100 per cent,” Mr Taylor said.

“I think it was a sensational effort by all, with what was an infectious energy and enthusiasm that only helped the traders to maximize the opportunities before them.”

Day two featured the artists quarter auction, which began on day one where local artists were given a blank canvas and 24 hours to complete a nautical themed art work which was auctioned for charity at the Club Marine Carnivale of Colour held on the Saturday night and featured live entertainment from local band Kick and a spectacular fireworks display.

Raymarine Asia Pty Ltd national sales and marketing manager Mark Leach said the Gold Coast Marine Expo was a huge success for Raymarine.

“It far exceeded our expectations and we are already planning a bigger display with more staff for next year,” Mr Leach said.

“In my 13 years in this business, it is by far the best inaugural boat show that I have attended.”

Geoff Lovett International Motor Yacht Specialist executive broker Peter Lovett said the atmosphere was light, uplifting and more of a carnivale atmosphere.

“For the first year of the Gold Coast Marine Expo I thought it was definitely the way of the future,” Peter said.

“It was very well organised and achieved its aim to educate people about boating, and the fun lifestyle boating brings.  I think the Gold Coast Marine Expo can only get bigger and better.”

Mr Milne said the Gold Coast Marine Expo succeeded in raising more than $12,000 for local charities Sailability, Paradise Kids, Rotary Club of Coomera River and the Wasp Creek Rural Fire Service.

“We anticipate that the Gold Coast Marine Expo could be the biggest boat show in Australia within the next three years vased on the feedback and commitment we have for next year,” Mr Milne said.

“The Expo really ignited interest in people that had never been to a boat show before or who had stopped going to boat shows because of the cost or accessibility.  The Gold Coast Marine Expo attracted really high quality people as the sales results show with sales across all boats from paddle skis and jet skis to superyachts.

“The feedback from the public was phenomenal, the entertainment and activities, the rescue helicopter doing the mock rescues, the factory tours – it was all about the industry opening its doors to the public and it’s our way of inviting people to consider boating at any level and this is a very sound long term strategy for our industry.”

The 2012 Gold Coast Marine Expo will be held on November 2, 3 and 4.  Exhibitor information is available on the website www.gcmarineexpo.com.au