Despite ice, snow and airport strikes, the recent staging of boot 2013 Düsseldorf, 44th International Boat Show Düsseldorf, in Germany attracted 226,300 visitors (45,000 came from 50 countries other than Germany). A total of 1,674 exhibitors from 63 nations showcased their yachting innovations and new water sports equipment and reported good business.
 
“The existing circumstances could not have been less favorable for a trade fair event which is mostly targeted at end users. On more than half of the event days, the weather made it very difficult to get to the show. Many international guests who had booked flights had to cancel their visit to boot. But we still met the expectations of our exhibitors,” stated Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. “The first days and the second weekend were extremely well attended. And the visitors who came had the economic potential to give the industry the boost it had been hoping for.”
 
“The exhibitors' focus was on sales and establishing new contacts that promised good post-fair business. Both these objectives were achieved at boot 2013, in some cases as early as on day 1,” remarked Jürgen Tracht, Managing Director of the German Marine Industry Association (BVWW). "The German boats and water sports market has proven to be the most stable and most lively in Europe. In addition, the international industry not only concentrates its trade fair activities on boot Düsseldorf but also uses it as the most important event for presenting new yachting products and innovations. This is what visitors wanted to see and what makes this event extremely attractive.”  Jürgen Tracht added that exhibitors with an exclusive focus on sales of goods and therefore reliant on high visitor numbers did not have the same success this year as at previous boot events.
 
However, innovative and convenient products with quality and long-term value were in demand. The boats and yachts exhibitors had satisfactory results – both in the sailing and powerboat segment.  According to the BVWW, the demand for small motorized sports boats up to 22 feet in length increased again. Top-quality motor yachts with high value retention in the middle segment of up to 52 feet achieved excellent sales success.
 
The boating market expects a strong impetus from the new legislation allowing boats of up to 15 hp to be driven without a license.  At the “Mobile water sports” theme world attendees were able to get detailed information about the new legislation and the diversity of boat types which can be fitted with 15 hp engines.
 
The large and luxury yacht business is gaining momentum, with the industry reporting increasing interest, positive discussions and numerous purchases in hall 6.
 
According to a survey, visitors were mainly interested in boats and yachts with sailing boats and sailing yachts as the favorites.  Another leading focus of the visitors was information about motor boats, boat equipment and accessories. Improving the value of boots or maintaining their value was also a very popular topic. Companies offering high-quality comfort and safety equipment enjoyed good sales. In the overall assessment, visitors gave boot 2013 high ratings:  96% stated that their expectations were met.
 
   Every fourth visitor enjoyed the diving trade fair held as part of boot 2013. The leading suppliers spoke about sales at previous year's levels. Considering the continuing instability in Egypt – the most important diving region – exhibitors were pleased with the business results.
 
In the water tourism and charter segment, Mediterranean destinations Croatia, Turkey and Greece were the favorites for the 2013 water sports season in addition to German inland waters.
 
The boot Düsseldorf concept "Experience 360° Watersports” was once again a visitor attraction. The 16 experience and theme worlds with their information offers and the many possibilities to try out water sports equipment in indoor pools and artificial rivers was a hit, especially amongst young visitors.
 
The next staging of boot Düsseldorf is scheduled for January 18 – 26, 2014 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

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