Used boats mooted for 2020 Sydney International Boat Show
The coronavirus scare has prompted 2020 Sydney International Boat Show organisers to shake up the format and consider adding used boatsUsed boats could become a big part of the 2020 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show as organisers take a boom to the format ahead of potentially bumping it to later in the year.
In a statement sent around to Boating Industry Association of Australia members yesterday, the BIAA said its board had decided to review the format of the 2020 Sydney International Boat Show “to explore all opportunities to support the industry in these unusual and uncertain times including an option to accommodate used boats”.
Related links:
However, the definition of a used boat is expected to apply only to high-quality used vessels that can help round out a display of showroom-fresh models rather than the Sydney show becoming a used-boat trading platform.
The Sydney show is still slated to run in late July, although the BIAA will make a final call on whether the show will go ahead in its original timeslot, or move to a new one later in the year.
A decision on whether the show will need to change dates will be made on May 31.
Used boats 'excluded'
Since its inception in 1968, the Sydney International Boat Show has excluded used boats from its displays. However, some of the more expensive boats on show often are pre-owned models because Australian distributors attending the event can’t really afford the cost of bringing in a new boat.
The move should also allow exhibitors with large displays of up to 30-plus boats to mix near-new boats among the vessels on display, as long as they are representative of a new one.
The format has worked well for the Sydney-based Rosehill Trailer Boat Show where about one in every three boats on display comes from used rather than new stock.
The BIA release includes a raft of other boat show-related measures including the formal cancellation of the 2020 Rosehill Boat Show on April 4-5, shifting June’s Adelaide Boat Show to a new date in September, and continuing with the planning of August’s Brisbane Boat Show.
All proposed new dates are contingent on the current coronavirus crisis abating.
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
