Exhibitor numbers up at Sanctuary Cove

This month's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) has attracted an increase in exhibitors over last year and organsers are predicting that the increase will see a turnaround in economic fortunes the local marine sector.

The SCIBS has drawn 414 exhibitors, up from 406 last year, and will see almost 100 new marine products launched. There will be almost 200 vessels on the water at the Gold Coast venue and the 7000 square metres of pavilion space is fully booked.

This year's show will run from Thursday, May 20, to Sunday, May 23.

The SCIBS general manager Barry Jenkins says he is delighted by the international attention the show is gathering and says there are exhibitors or buyers coming from the US, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Jordan, Turkey and Italy.

"We believe the marine industry is approaching the show with a positive outlook with many manufacturers planning new releases to capture buyers," Jenkins says, "Pavilion and hard stand exhibition areas recieved particularly strong bookings."

In recent years the show has attracted around 50,000 visitors and that number could be exceeded this year.

For the first time the show will indulde a sea trial area where would be buyers can get aboard boats to see how they perform underway. There will also be a dedicated area for prestige brokerage and charter vessels.

Among the major manufacturers who will have a strong showing are Princess, Sunseeker, Fairline, Fleming Yachts, Maritimo, Riviera and Assegai Marine.

There will also be launches of new sailing boats, trailerable vessels, smaller power boats and a range of marine accessories.

During the show there is no public parking on the site but there are park and ride, water taxi and ferry options. Some luxury vessel sellers are offering helicopter transfers and limousine services.

One day general admission tickets are $22 ($19 if bought on line) and children under 14 have free entry. The 2010 SCIBS event will run from Thursday, May 20, to Sunday, May 23. For more details check out Sanctuary Cove Boat Show.com.au.