2013 Sydney International Boat Show confirmed for Darling Harbour

The Boating Industry Association of NSW (BIA) has confirmed that the Sydney International Boat Show will be held in Darling Harbour in August 2013.

Infrastructure NSW has delayed the commencement of the venue's redevelopment until the end of 2013, allowing next year’s Sydney show to go ahead as planned.

It has been no secret that the BIA has been looking for an alternate venue for its Sydney show since the NSW government announced the redevelopment of the Exhibition Centre. The redevelopment will bring long-term benefits to the show, with undercover exhibition space increasing to 40,000 sqm,
an increase of 13,000 sqm on the current facility.

Roy Privett, General Manager of the Association said: "We are excited at the long-term prospects for the industry once this facility has been completed. We are also fortunate that Infrastructure NSW has been working directly with the BIA for almost six months now to ensure that we have an interim facility during the construction years of 2014 to 2016 to ensure the Sydney Show continues".

As a further commitment to the Darling Harbour Precinct, the BIA has entered into a 10-year agreement with Walcon for the supply of marina walkways and installation of added infrastructure to allow for the expansion of the marina exhibit.

The BIA’s Board of Directors recognises the likelihood of a split show over the redevelopment years, but have vowed to ensure that both marina exhibits and undercover exhibits will run concurrently.

Infrastructure NSW has proposed some excellent opportunities as interim facilities and is currently working with the BIA to see which is most suitable to meet both the exhibitors' and visitors' needs.

An announcement regarding the Sydney Boat Show venue for 2014 to 2016 is expected mid-year.