New Gold Coast International Boat Show and Marine Expo

After humble beginnings in 2011 as a more affordable "working boat show" for the people and struggling marine industry, the acclaimed Gold Coast Marine Expo is now being renamed and moving to March 2017 to become the Gold Coast International Boat Show & Marine Expo.

The new event will be the curtain raiser in the national boat show calendar and have Boating Industry Association (BIA) backing. In fact, the BIA says it has been instrumental in moving this show in response to negative feedback from the twin Gold Coast boat shows — Expo and Sanctuary Cove — being run concurrently without transport links and any marine industry synergy.

The new 2017 Gold Coast International Boat Show & Marine Expo has welcomed the BIA as a show partner. The first boat show of the year will be staged from March 17-19 in Coomera, the nation’s recreational boating-industry capital, and will be operated and managed with the support of Australia’s peak industry representative body.

BIA national chief executive Howard Glenn said the March boat show dates will be the catalyst for an exciting new era for Australia’s marine industry.

"The timing of this March event is seasonally important for boating enthusiasts and it also opens up an exciting opportunity for our industry to continue to innovate and grow," Mr Glenn said.

Expo’s dedicated Event & Marketing Manager Emma Brown will lead the boat show management team to ensure a smooth transition to the 2017 March dates.

"A stand-alone Gold Coast International Boat Show & Marine Expo means the Expo we all know and love will be able to continue to grow and build on its proven success — 2016 was our biggest show in six years," said Mrs Brown.

"The new March dates create further lead time for our exhibitors as existing boat owners can prepare for their coming summer — fresh in their minds are their considerations for repowering, replacing or upgrading their boat’s systems and accessories, or buying a new boat or yacht to further enhance their leisure time with their families next season.

"For manufacturers, importers as well as accessories and service providers, the pre-winter campaign timing is a business imperative."

Mrs Brown said that the full support of the BIA is immensely significant and welcome.

"The skills, resources and experience the BIA brings to the table will be invaluable for our boat show, and for our industry as a whole.

"With our new dates, we are now taking ‘the boat show with so much more’ to a whole new level."

Application to exhibit for the 2017 Gold Coast International Boat Show & Marine Expo to be staged in March 2017 wee expected to be released on the day we went to press with this news, that being, November 22.

Exhibitors are invited to register their interest by contacting the show team via gcmarineexpo.com.au.