Sydney Show preview

PREPARATIONS for next week's Sydney International Boat Show are in full swing with all the signs pointing to a better than expected event.

NSW BIA marketing and events manager Domenic Genua today told Marine Business both the inside halls and outside marina is now fully booked with the BIA expecting a strong visitor turnout.

Coming off the back of a positive Sanctuary Cove and overall growing optimism in the  economy, Australia’s number one show easily surpassed 2009’s exhibitor attendance in the first round of applications.

Friday's industry breakfast is almost full booked with Genua urging anyone interested in attending to contact the BIA office ASAP to book a spot. This year's breakfast will feature Jessica Watson, along with a major BIA announcement and, according to Genua, "a surprise record attempt..."

The boat show's stand awards will this year introduce a new award called the "Best Safety Display". "The objective of this award is to assist us as an industry to continue our ongoing commitment to educating the boating public that safe boating is good boating.

"To be eligible for selection to receive this award, we ask that you consider an element of safety as part of your display, something such as mannequin's wearing lifejackets on your boats."

Below is a rundown of what's on at this year's show...

Marine Precinct
The Marine Precinct will be a one stop education and information area for visitors looking for any form of boating assistance. Together with the Show Information Booth and the NSW Maritime information centre, will be numerous other government departments, volunteer and special interest groups. The centre will allow show visitors to have all their boating questions answered, together with education areas to assist boaties and kids get information for a better boating lifestyle. The area will include information booths from Marine Rescue NSW, NSW Water Police, Marine Parks, Surf Life Saving, Westpac Lifesaver Service, A.M.S.A., The Australian Hydrographic Office and Fisheries.
“Promoting ‘Safe Recreational Boating’ remains the BIA’s highest point of importance on our association’s charter. As such, the BIA of NSW will continue to be working with NSW Maritime on its joint safety activities including www.boatforlife.com.au, ‘Wear It’, ‘You’re the Shipper – you’re responsible’, ‘Take Care – Be Prop Aware,’” said Domenic Genua.
Also featuring in this year’s Marine Precinct will be the new Youth Boating Information Centre.  Designed for kids and young adults, the Youth Boating Information Centre will be manned by Justin and James, well known for their successful “Crossing the Ditch” expedition.  Visitors to this area will be given information and guidance on how to be water wise, better understand boating safety and how they too can participate in the recreational boating lifestyle.

Jessica Watson

Show organisers have have confirmed that Jessica Watson, who, just in case you hadn’t heard, circumnavigated the world by sail in less than eight months, will appear in the Better Boating Lounge. Watson will share her story with the visiting public and will no doubt draw the crowds.
The BIA said it is highly likely that Jessica Watson’s book launch will coincide with the show and is currently working through the detail and mutually beneficial opportunities with her management and publisher.
“I would suggest it will be standing room only anywhere near the Better Boating Lounge whenever Jessica stakes the stage,” said Genua.
“It was truly exciting to be able to confirm Jessica Watson as the show’s special guest. The Better Boating Lounge will also feature Don McIntyre, a major supporter of Jessica Watson’s solo voyage and currently involved with the Bounty Boat Expedition,” he said.
Details have also been announced of yet another appearance in the Better Boating Lounge, that of the Norris family, from Sydney’s northern beaches. The family (dad, mum and two kids aged 7 and 5) have just spent 1825 days (that’s five years!) on water sailing around the world.
Popular attractions, some new, some old favourites, can be relied upon to create interest, among them the Nautilus Marine Insurance Fishing Clinic (usually playing to standing room-only audiences), the Walk of Fame and The Marine Precinct Education Centre.

Boat Building Competition

The Shipwrights and Boat builders Associations annual Boat Building Competition has become a tradition that both the industry and visiting public look forward to.  Take teams of two shipwrights, give them limited tools and materials and set them the task of building a boat in two hours. After a short rest, the teams race their creations around Cockle Bay. With teams coming from all industry sectors as well as a New Zealand team, the competition whilst mostly light hearted, can be quite fierce.

Walk of Fame

Together with our great nautical history, as well as some recent boating achievements, the Walk of Fame will be a gathering of very interesting vessels. Both old and new will have made a mark in Australian history and will be on display for the public to get up and close with.
Discover Boating Tours
Many visitors to the show dearly want to get involved in boating, with some a bit apprehensive about what to do on our beautiful waterways.  The Discover Boating Tours have been designed to show visitors the beauty of our waterways, tell them about what they can see and do in our harbour.  Leaving at regular intervals from Cockle Bay, the Discover Boating Tours are free to all Boat Show ticket holders.

Nautilus Fishing Clinic

With more than half of the Boat Show’s audience having an interest in fishing, it is easy to understand why the Fishing Clinic is so popular. Designed to educate and inform visitors about better fishing techniques, the clinic will run non-stop during the show. Featuring a line up of some of Australia’ well known fishing experts and identities, the clinic will be a haven of information for anyone with a passion, or even a mild interest in the sport.

Photo Competition

With the success of the Photo competition last year, it will again return allowing boaties to share their photos with visitors to the show with the opportunity to win prizes for those images selected as being the best by our panel of experts as well as the visiting public.

Fashion Parades

With Fashions continuously changing, the Musto Fashion Parades will show visitors the latest gear both in leisure, swimwear and technical clothing. The fashion parades will run from both the Better Boating Lounge and the Nautilus Fishing Clinic.
The 2010 Sydney International Boat Show opens the doors at 10am on Thursday, July 29.
Both the halls and the Cockle Bay Marina will open at 10am on each of the five days, but closing times vary; the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre’s halls close at 8pm, but activities cease on the marina at 6pm.

For further information contact the Boating Industry Association of NSW, telephone (02) 9438-2077 or visit the website,

www.sydneyboatshow.com.au