http://www.ibi-plus.com International Boat Industry | JUNE–JULY 2018 47
SIBS 2018 APPROACHES
The Sydney International Boat Show
(SIBS) is the largest boat show in
the southern hemisphere and last
year celebrated its 50th running.
From humble origins, it has grown
to be the most significant event in
the region, housing 32,600m^2 of
undercover exhibits, plus an external
event deck of a further 5,000m^2.
The show is ideally situated only
five minutes’ walk from the busy
Central Business District and the
exhibition halls are located on the
harbour alongside on-water displays
in Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour. For
2018, the organisers are expecting
around 260 exhibitors in the halls
and 210 boats on the water. In 2017,
SIBS hosted just over 63,000 visitors.
SIBS is known for its impact on
the Australian boat market with
almost every Australian brand, and
an excellent international presence
on display. The show itself, running
for five days, accounts for 22% of the
state’s annual recreational boating
revenue and 10% of the country’s
boating business.
“If you are not at the Sydney
International Boat Show, you are
seriously not getting the best out
of the boating market,” says show
manager Domenic Genua. “Each
year the show hosts a plethora
of newly released and product
launches. Visitors and the industry
alike attend to see and buy what’s
new in the marketplace, and they
are not disappointed.
“While visitor numbers seem to
be a hot talking point amongst the
industry, our focus is delivering awe have strong interest in the boat not only from the
local market, with two sold to New Zealand, but also
the US. I am confident this is going to be a real winner
for us, especially in the US where we are showing the
X60 at boat shows in late 2018,” Haines adds.
The ability to offer custom interiors is a strong
selling point for Maritimo, with boats finished with
everything from a piano in the flybridge to a treadmill
built into the owner’s gym. “We will look at anything
and if we can do it within the parameters of the boat
and it doesn’t adversely affect its structural integrity,
then it’s possible.”
Recently Maritimo purchased more land and factory
space next to its Coomera-based factory and now hasaround 200 staff in a 14-hectare complex. This has
allowed the company to consolidate its business into
one space, rather than have it split between factories at
Hope Island Marina and Coomera.
Maritimo currently has 44 dealers in 16 countries.PALM BEACH MOTOR YACHTS
In 1995, Mark Richards launched a boatbuilding
business in the beach community of Palm Beach, New
South Wales. He had a simple philosophy: “Provide the
customer with a product that’s as close to perfection
as humanly possible”. Today the Palm Beach range of
motoryachts consists of six models – from the PB42
through to the PB65.good balance of visitors that wish
to make purchases,” he adds. “If we
get our campaign right, visitors will
spend as much as A$5m per hour on
average during the show.”
SIBS 2018 runs from August 2-6.A MELBOURNE INSTITUTION
The RACV Marine Melbourne Boat
Show, now in its 58th year, will
take place from June 28 to July
1 at the Melbourne Convention
and Exhibition Centre. Over 21,000
visitors are expected to attend
the four-day show that this year
will enjoy a Thursday to Sunday
‘window’, maximising the Thursday/
Friday business opportunities,
and culminating with a weekend
conclusion. As many as 120
exhibitors are expected to take
part, with floor space already 95%
booked out.
RACV general manager of
marine Neil James says: “RACV
and our marine division are very
pleased to be in partnership with
the Melbourne Boat Show, which
is a Melbourne institution. We look
forward to working with the industry
to further develop and enhance the
show and boating in general. We
also look forward to helping many
of our 2.2 million members to access
and enjoy boating.”
“A fantastic show is expected
in 2018 and the connection to the
RACV membership of over 2.2 million
in the state will further enhance
this,” says Steve Walker, CEO of the
Boating Industry Association of
Victoria (BIAV). “We are delighted
to partner with a leading Victorianbrand with such a strong presence
across marine, auto, insurance, and
resorts, as well as across print and
other media. We expect RACV to help
us to bring further attention to the
show and attract new interest and
additional visitors.”NEW VENUE FOR PERTH
The 2nd Club Marine Perth
International Boat Show, to be held
from September 21-24, follows
the success of the inaugural show“The two sites of Perth
Convention and Exhibition Centre
and Elizabeth Quay are ideal for
this event. The inner city location
means easy access for transport
and infrastructure, and there is no
better choice than being right on the
stunning Swan River,” Beanland says.
“Under cover exhibits within
Perth Convention and Exhibition
Centre are extremely popular, and
we are pleased to have access to all
six pavilions in 2018. From the Perth
Convention and Exhibition Centre, a
short walk down the escalators will
lead to the on-water displays within
Elizabeth Quay.”
Beanland says the industry is
looking forward to a big show this
year following a successful launch
in 2017 and that the BIAWA was
pleased with the feedback from
show exhibitors from the 2017
show, which was overwhelmingly
positive all around. “The Club Marine
Perth International Boat Show is
now the major boating event for
Western Australia, and is successful
in raising the profile of the Western
Australian marine industry and
will be presented to a national and
international market,” he adds.
The 2018 Club Marine Perth
International Boat Show is estimated
to attract around 20,000 visitors
across the four-day long weekend.
The show is an initiative of the
Boating Industry of Western Australia
and is supported by Club Marine
Insurance, the City of Perth, the
Perth Convention and Exhibition
Centre, and the Metropolitan
Redevelopment Authority.If we get our
campaign
right, visitors will spend
as much as A$5m per
hour on average during
the Sydney showin 2017. Peter Woods, MD of show
organisers Premiere Events, says that
this year’s show will be even bigger,
taking up all six pavilions within the
Perth Convention and Exhibition
Centre and utilising Elizabeth Quay
for boat displays and boating and
sailing activities.
Mike Beanland, president of
the Boating Industry Association of
Western Australia (BIAWA), says the
Club Marine Perth International Boat
Show was successful in 2017 as it
ofered something new and unique
to the industry, and allowed for
both indoor displays as well as on-
water exhibits.