2016 Gold Coast International Marine Expo launches

The sixth Gold Coast International Marine Expo has opened an initial offering of exhibitor space for 2016, while also being named a national finalist in the Best Exhibition category of the prestigious Australian Event Awards.

"Whilst we are hopeful of securing the national awards – and these are the pinnacle awards for the events industry in Australia – we are also firmly focused on delivering the best Expo yet in 2016,"  said Event & Marketing Manager Emma Milne , who has herself been selected as a
national finalist for the Australian events industry’s Young Achiever
of the Year award.

The not-for-profit Expo was created in 2011 by marine industry leaders to help foster jobs, growth and prosperity in the Australian marine industry, and create a cost-effective means for boat builders to show their wares and attract custom to their yards.

The 2015 Expo, now held in May, reported confirmed exhibitor sales in excess of $50 million across a vast array of exhibits. The flow-on economic benefits are substantial, with  41 per cent of 2015 Expo visitors residing outside the Gold Coast and spending on accommodation, dining and so on.

"This year Expo reported 17,024 qualified visitors across the four event days, with over 500 boats and over 300 marine brands on display across over 230 exhibitors who lined our 3km display circuit," Ms Milne said, adding that 2015 was the biggest Expo in five years.

Feedback from 2015’s event revealed 92 per cent of visitors appreciated the easy access to Expo – by car, boat, helicopter, train or bus – and especially the free car-parking right outside the welcome gates.

An impressive 95 per cent of Expo visitors rated the diversity of marine displays on offer in 2015 as ‘satisfactory’ to ‘excellent’, 41 per cent spent over six hours at the event and 22 per cent of visitors spent more than two days enjoying the vast array of marine displays and family fun attractions on offer.

Additionally, 91 per cent of visitors surveyed said they would recommend Expo to their boating friends. Stakeholder feedback revealed 85 per cent of 2015 exhibitors ‘definitely’ intend to return to Expo in 2016.

"In 2016, we will be offering a revised range of exhibitor space options, including indoor shell scheme displays," Ms Milne said, adding that the feedback received was extremely encouraging, with both visitors and exhibitors indicating they appreciate the way in which Expo is reinventing the concept of a traditional boat show.