GOLD COAST MARINE EXPO: Opens Today!

Set in the Gold Coast Marine Precinct, the Expo allows visitors to experience a truly unique behind the scenes view of our marine industry.

Dubbed as Australia's only ‘Working Boat Show' the Expo features a comprehensive program of events including a variety of live technical demonstrations, factory tours and attractions with something taking place every 15 minutes over the three big days.|

Now in its fourth year and with over 21,000 visitors in 2013, the Expo attracts a wide range of exhibitors from across Australia and around the world. On display you'll find everything from kayaks to superyachts, fishing rods to trailer boats and everything  else in between.|

The Expo actively supports local charities and organisations with $22,000 donated in 2013 to the Rotary Club of Coomera River, Paradise Kids, Sailability Gold Coast and the Westpac Surf Life Saver Helicopter Rescue Service. To date, the Expo has raised a total of $51,000 for these worthwhile and volunteer-based charities.

Philosophy
The Expo is a not-for-profit event staged by the marine industry, for the marine industry.

Founded in 2011 by the Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, Riviera, Quintrex, International Paint and Clipper Motor Yachts, the Expo's primary charter is to educate the public to explore and learn all the possibilities that boating  has to offer.

The voluntary committee's focus is the return on investment for all exhibitors and is staged at minimal cost outlay for exhibitors and only seeks to recover direct costs, there is no requirement to make a profit from the running of this event. As a result, you will see and experience a more streamlined approach, it's a more back-to-basics event focused on it's exhibitors success.

History
The inaugural Expo in 2011 saw the major businesses within Queensland's Gold Coast Marine Precinct  join forces like never before to bring the boating industry together and host an extremely successful event.

Organisers said that the marine industry leaders couldn't speak highly enough of the 2012 Expo, with many exhibitors recording the most sales in years, while others had filled their order books for the next six months.

The 2012 Expo had been described as ‘breathing life back into the marine industry', which was certainly impacted by the GFC. Attendance defied industry trends with a total of 20,752 people through the gates from around Australia and New Zealand, a 24 per cent  increase from the inaugural event.
With more than 200 exhibitors, over 600 boats on show on both land and in the water, and an expanded three-kilometre display circuit, the 2013 Expo was certainly one of the major boating attractions on the Australian boat show calendar. The perfect sunny days marked a great start to the summer boating season and the warm Queensland 30 degree heat that just makes you want to go boating attracted 21, 326 visitors through the gates.

This year with exhibitor enquiry strong, attendance trends on the rise and an exciting line up live demonstrations and attractions the Expo organisers are expecting more growth in 2014.

The Gold Coast Marine Expo will run from October 17-19.

For more information go to. www.gcmarineexpo.com.au. And don't forget to check out our micro sites at:  www.boatsales.com.au/goldcoastexpo and www.boatpoint.com.au/goldcoastexpo