New releases at the Gold Coast International Boat Show & Marine Expo

THE Gold Coast International Boat Show & Marine Expo from March 17-19 is a major boon for the boat-loving public and has experienced unprecedented support from the marine industry.

A massive marine showcase featuring hundreds of brand-new boats, jet skis, marine electronics, engines and every nautical accessory you can possibly imagine kicks off the Australian boat show season on Queensland’s sunny Gold Coast this March.

Event & Marketing manager Emma Brown said if you love to spend your leisure time on the water, the Gold Coast is certainly the place to be in March. “Our giant display circuit and two marinas will feature more Australian and world premieres than ever before, with many of the world’s leading businesses and brands reserving more space and berths to exclusively premiere their new-year releases,” she said.

“Visitors will be able to experience and enjoy everything their families need to have fun on the water, and at a time when their boating considerations are top of mind.” Mrs Brown said the industry-led show in March continues to innovate to create an even more engaging and fun boat show experience, and the firm focus on enhancing the boating enjoyment of families remains a key priority.

“The Gold Coast International Boat Show & Marine Expo is a boat show for real boaters,” she said.  “Being lifetime boaters ourselves, we know that families who go boating together, stay together, so we have ensured the show will have something for every member of the family.”

The Gold Coast International Boat Show & Marine Expo – now with its new March dates – builds on six years of growth and success.  In 2015, the event was named Australia’s Best Exhibition, and in 2016 was a finalist in the same category at the Australian Event Awards.

“Our industry boat show is unique in so many respects – nowhere else in the world is a massive marine showcase held right in the heart of the largest boat builders and recreational shipyards in the host country,” Mrs Brown said. “On the water, we will present a showcase of luxurious yachts and boats of all designs and sizes, including a massive super yacht that’s certain to create an incredible marina experience.

“Our very popular sea trials will also return in 2017 – last year over 1000 sea trials were conducted, with many families being able to experience boating for the first time with the Mercury Edge program.” Mrs Brown said many new features would also be introduced on land to further enhance the enjoyment of visitors.

“We have factory tours of the giant Riviera and Quintrex boat-building facilities, and working demonstrations at the Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard,” she said. “Riviera will demonstrate the world-class construction processes behind its new 68 Sports Motor Yacht, while Quintrex will proudly premiere its new models for the first time in the world – and that’s in addition to many new interactive demonstrations and live entertainment every 15 minutes across our giant display circuit and two marinas.

“With so many exhibitors releasing new models and products this year, we have created a new section on our website GCBoatShow.com called ‘See It First’, where we will detail all the firsts you will be able to see in March.” Stefan Ackerie from Stefan Boating World said moving the boat show date to March was ‘genius’. “There will be more exhibitors, more people and more choices than ever before,” he said.

“Stefan Boating World will have an enormous range of brand-new boats here at that time – in fact the largest range of boats under one roof in Australia.” Mrs Brown said the Gold Coast International Boat Show & Marine Expo will feature everything from super yachts to luxury motor and sailing yachts, kayaks, jet skis and fishing equipment, and everything else in between.

“Based on direct sales for exhibitors, our event has in the past two years alone injected over $100 million into the Gold Coast and Queensland economies,” she said. “Most telling from our 2016 visitor feedback was that 96 percent of visitor respondents said they would recommend the Expo to their boating friends, and over 75 percent said they would return to the Expo in 2017.
“If you love boating, the Gold Coast is definitely the place to be from March 17-19, 2017.”