A colossal increase in pre-sold and reserved exhibitor space has Gold Coast International Marine Expo planning to create additional sites and infrastructure ahead of the biggest Expo ever in 2016.
The world’s leading marine brands and businesses have been very quick to secure their place at ‘the boat show with so much more’ at Coomera from 19-22 May 2016, with bookings up some 845 percent compared to the same time last year.
Over 90 percent of last year’s exhibitor space is now sold or reserved for 2016, and interest from companies who have not previously exhibited at Expo accounts for over 15 percent of the impressive 2015 year-end total of sites already sold or reserved.
“This strong show of support for Expo from our marine industry is a great endorsement for our massive showcase of all things aquatic and sets the foundations for an even bigger Expo in 2016,” said Event & Marketing Manager Emma Brown.
“This news will certainly be welcomed by Expo’s visitors—real boating enthusiasts who enjoy a diverse hands-on marine display, complemented by fun family attractions, and educational and interactive demonstrations every 15 minutes across our giant 3-km display circuit,” she said.
“The world’s leading marine brands will once again be represented at Expo 2016—everything from luxury motor and sailing yachts to trailer boats and jet skis, kayaks to fishing equipment, engines to boating accessories … with displays from hundreds of exhibitors.”
Expo chairman Brett Thurley said the not-for-profit Expo would continue to reinvent the concept of a traditional boat show in 2016 as part of its charter to foster jobs, growth and opportunities in the broader Australian marine industry.
“Nowhere else in the world is there a boat show held right in the heart of the biggest boat-building facilities and recreational shipyards in the country,” he said. “People love coming here to Coomera and they love being a part of Expo. They love the fact Expo has both big boats and small boats, and a vast array of equipment and accessory displays, as well as a philosophy that brings the entire community together in such a vibrant and fun-filled environment. Amazing things really can be achieved when an entire community works together.”
The Expo is staged right in the heart of the Gold Coast Marine Precinct at Coomera—where the marine industry actually does ‘do business’ 365 days a year. In 2015, the Expo directly generated over $50 million in sales activity for exhibitors.
Capping off 2015, Expo continued its heritage of giving back to the community-based charities that have helped cement the event’s credentials as one of the best boat shows in Australia.
The Expo has donated a total of $79,000 to charity since it was founded in 2011. Mrs Brown said this year’s beneficiary charities are the Rotary Club of Coomera River, Sailability Gold Coast, Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland, and the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service.
“Giving back to these charities is our way of saying ’thank you’ for their tireless efforts in supporting the Expo and the Australian marine industry,” she said. “To stage Expo each year we need over 100 volunteers and we thank these organisations for their continued support. Without them, Expo wouldn’t have grown to be everything it is today.”
Expo was recently honoured with the Australian Events Industry’s Best Exhibition award for 2015, and while Mrs Brown said this national recognition is great cause for celebration, it also serves as inspiration to drive Expo 2016 to be the biggest and best yet.
