City of Gold Coast (City) is leading its third trade mission to Amsterdam for the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METSTRADE) – the largest marine equipment trade show in the world.
The METSTRADE Show hosts over 26,000 visitors including boat builders, naval architects, repair yards, distributors, dealers, wholesalers, manufacturers, captains and marina developers.
City’s METSTRADE Show trade mission from 19 to 21 November 2019, provides a first-class platform for Gold Coast marine businesses to showcase their products and network with professionals from over 100 nations.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says the METSTRADE Show trade mission is designed to advocate the capabilities, products and services of the city’s export-ready businesses.
“Coomera Marine Precinct already contributes around $2.5 billion to our local economy every year and we are committed to growing this even further,” Mayor Tom Tate says.
“This event is about exchanging ideas, renewing contacts and forging new partnerships.
“Our marine sector is going ahead in leaps and bounds and this event is an opportunity to showcase our marine sector capabilities and let international delegates know of our ‘open for business’ approach.
“Our Council’s International Trade and Investment Program is one of the best in Australia so I encourage businesses wanting to meet potential partners, distributors and agents to turn their focus to METSTRADE.”
Barz Optics Managing Director Kevin Barr is no stranger to METSTRADE, having been six times, but it wasn’t until last year that he teamed up with City for support through their 2018 trade mission.
“By being on the Gold Coast stand it enabled more people to view my products – distributors would stop and look at the larger booth,” Mr Barr says.
“The design attracted people onto the booth. Previous booths I’ve been on didn’t encourage people onto the actual area, they would just peruse from the aisle.
“Council’s initiative to have a prominent Gold Coast stand enables smaller companies to promote their products to the world without the prohibitive costs associated with having your own booth.”
Marine Airflow International Managing Director Brad Marsden says the opportunity to join City of Gold Coast on its inaugural mission to METSTRADE in 2017 was cost-effective and successful.
“Our goal for METS was to come away with 10 to 15 good quality contacts,” Mr Marsden says.
“We achieved that every day and left with 40 to 50 quality enquiries that ranged from a few production manufacturers and designers to a few end users.
“We quickly learnt that to establish a relationship with European manufacturers, we needed to offer them an opportunity to see our equipment first hand.”
Marine Air Flow generated about $70,000 in sales from the 2017 trade mission and the success prompted them to exhibit independently at METSTRADE Show last year.
Expressions of interest for City‘s METSTRADE Show Trade Mission close on Friday 13 September.
For more information, visit www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/business/metstrade-48742.html
