SYDNEY BOAT SHOW: Update

There’s still time to get to the Sydney International Boat Show with the doors now open for the final day. In fact, you can even nip down after work to snare a nautical bargain with the marina at Darling Harbour open until 6.00pm and the halls open till 8.00pm tonight.

Speaking from the show this morning (August 4) show organiser Dominic Genua said that the weekend has been a spectacular success: “There was initially an element of uncertainty from the public,” he said. “But the end result has been hugely positive both from the public and the exhibitors’ perspective.

"Our plans worked extremely well. There may have been a bit of a delay getting people off the ferries at the Glebe Island end at peak times, but it was minimal," Genua added.

While attendace figures were not available for the weekend, Mr Genua said that numbers were good for both days: "We have a new ticketing provider this year so it’s hard to determine exact numbers, but we will be doing a thorough analysis at close of business today."

Genua said that although exhibitor numbers were slightly down on last year, he had no space left. "In the halls, we don’t have a square metre of space available," he said.

While organisers, the Boating Industry Association of NSW put on 24 busses to transport patrons from Central Station to the halls at Glebe Island, most people have chosen to take the free ferries. "And why wouldn’t they," said Genua. "A beautiful cruise on Sydney Harbour, and a lovely beach barbecue at the other end.

"The bottom line is that we are quietly chuffed and we have delivered on our promises. We believe we have reconnected well with our existing customers and quietly introduced many new people to the wonderful world of boating," he concluded.