Australia is home to some of the biggest and best boat shows in the world. In order to make the most of your experience it’s important to go in with a plan. Here’s how to plan the perfect boat show experience for your next escapade.
DETERMINE YOUR PURPOSE
Whether you’re headed into the expo season looking
to buy a new boat, just starting out with your research
or simply taking a day out with the family. It’s important
to establish early on what you intend to get out of the experience. Otherwise you may find your time wasted wandering amongst the vendors, ending the weekend not having achieved your goals.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Take the time to look before you leap. What vendors are going to be at the show? Who are your must-sees? Most boat shows will have a list of vendors available online and a map or location list to help you navigate your way on the day. We recommend making a list of the exhibits
you’d like to see and mapping out a route of where to find them. This cuts down valuable time on the day, of ambling around trying to find what you’re looking for, and leaves you the opportunity to go for a wander and sightsee later on.
Also consider the size of the show. Is it a smaller, state or city-based show, or is it a larger international affair? Think about what you want to see, how many exhibitors there are and how much physical space the show occupies. For some shows, a day or an afternoon might be enough to fit in everything you want to see. Bigger shows might require a multi-day pass, especially if you’re trying to fit in a number of demos or test drives.
Don’t forget when making your plan of attack to think about the opportunities on offer from your selected vendors. If you’re in the market for a new boat, take a look at who may be offering test drives on the weekend or demonstrating their latest gadgets. This will help determine how long you’ll be spending at each exhibit. Taking a few minutes out of your day to look at an
exhibitor’s website or social media can help inform you of what they may be bringing with them and where to put them in your schedule.
If you’re looking to make a weekend out of the experience remember to check the show’s website for vital travel information. This helps to plan out your transport arrangements. Consider, are you going to drive, get a shuttle or stay in nearby accommodation? The show’s website should have info on nearby parking or public transport access for local visitors. Larger, international shows often have details on accommodation options for out of town attendees that can be worth checking out.
HAVE A GREAT DAY OUT
With your plan in hand, you’re all set for a great day out. If you’re going in with the intent to buy, it’s a good idea to get a loan pre-approval first so you know how much you can afford to spend. To get started contact the friendly brokers at Credit One today on 1300 CREDIT (1300 273 348), fill in an application online at boatloansfinance.com.au or send a message to boats@creditone.com.au.
Published in the April – June 2020 edition.
