Doors close on the Gold Coast International Boat Show and Marine Expo

The organising committee of the Gold Coast International Boat Show and Marine Expo have announced they are calling a halt to the boat show otherwise expected in March 2018 at Coomera. The marine event is unlikely to continue in the foreseeable future.

Owing to escalating demand for new boats, shipyard re-fit, maintenance and repair works, coupled with the inability to expand the current footprint of the burgeoning event, and other events that clash like the Commonwealth Games in 2018, organisers have announced the show set down for March 2018 won’t go ahead.

This is unfortunate news for Queensland boatbuyers, who were treated to a grassroots boat show that was easy to access, offered plenty of great deals, and was hands-on affair. As a result, many new boat sales were made over the years, especially at the Gold Coast Marine Expo as it was first known. But the marine industry has resurfaced from its nadirs and boat shows have evolved at other venues.

"After lengthy consideration, the committee has reluctantly reached this decision, especially following the success of our 2017 show for both our valued boating enthusiast visitors and exhibitors," said Emma Brown, the long-serving event and marketing manager of the Gold Coast International Boat Show and Marine Expo.

"The boat-building factories at the Gold Coast Marine Precinct in Coomera are now bustling as a result of new boat sales and the hardstands and re-fit sheds are a hive of activity. Available space within the current site, together with the impact of the show on businesses in the precinct has become a significant consideration."

The award-winning Gold Coast International Boat Show and Marine Expo has grown significantly through its seven years of operation, welcoming more than 140,000 people through the gates in that time.

The event was created by industry leaders in 2011 to help restore growth and stability in the marine industry after the GFC. From humble beginnings, the show developed to welcome more than 23,000 visitors in 2017, displaying more than 600 boats and 230 exhibitors.

Coming out of receivership, Riviera was instrumental in creating the cost-effective Expo, which developed a strong sense of community and raised more than $100,000 for charity including the Rotary Club of Coomera River, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service, Sailability Gold Coast, Paradise Kids and Ronald McDonald House - South East Queensland.

"We would like to take this opportunity to publicly and sincerely thank all of our great supporters over the past seven years – our enthusiastic visitors, loyal exhibitors, steadfast event partners, stable suppliers and the generous landholders who have all given and contributed so much to the success of our show," Ms Brown concluded.

All eyes will now return to the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show from May 24-27, which is more of a luxury-boat event and more popular with interstate and overseas visitors.

The relaunched Brisbane Boat Show held in late August at the slick Convention and Exhibition Centre in Southbank stands to benefit and should become an even bigger trailerboat event in 2018. There will be further news from Riviera about its plans in 2018 as well.

More at the 2018 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.