VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW REPORTS ATTENDANCE INCREASE AND STRONG RETAIL RESULTS
Jan 28, 2016
BC’s boating industry forecasting a robust year in 2016
With an upswing in attendance and vendors generating onsite sales and leads, the 54th annual Vancouver International Boat Show came to a close on Sunday, January 24, 2016. Show officials reported positive feedback from exhibitors and vendors of all sizes, and BC’s boating industry is poised for a strong 2016 season.
Western Canada’s largest boat show recorded increased attendance numbers at both the indoor show at BC Place and the Floating Show at Granville Island. 30,340 people visited the two venues at the 2016 show, a 2% increase from the previous year.
“The 2016 show produced some quality customers. Overall activity was very strong in heavy gauge aluminum and also had a great selection of 1st time boaters looking at entry level aluminum. Overall business was up from last year. If the boat show is any indication of the upcoming year, then let the season begin!!!” Brendan Keys, General Manager , GA Checkpoint Yamaha
“It was a great show. New and old boaters had a great time. Some rain early on but weather was good for the most part. Serious buyers. Sales were good. Good crowds. Lots to see and do.” Mark Collett, Boating Industry Canada Magazine
“The show has been a success across the board,” said Eric Nicholl, Show Manager of the Vancouver International Boat Show. “Thanks to our vendors, and an extensive educational seminar program and variety of features, we have we have had a successful 5-day event. Our strategic marketing initiatives are introducing more new boaters to the ‘boating lifestyle’, which will help fuel future growth in the industry. We think the trends we are seeing here bode well for the upcoming year in BC.”
“The 2016 Show has been one of our highest quality shows ever,” said Bob Pappajohn of M&P Mercury Ltd. “We saw old clients and met new ones and we are thrilled with the results we’re seeing across all segments. We are optimistic about BC as a very strong marketplace for M&P and we can’t wait to see more people embrace the boating lifestyle.”
“Our outboard engine sales are up 50%,” said Steve Cyr from Yamaha Canada. “We had crowds in our space every day, all day, and the quality of people was exceptional. Our PWC and sport boat package sales were extremely strong. This was a great show for us.”
“We came to the show without a clear understanding of how the value of the Canadian dollar would affect us. We’re excited to say that despite the uncertainty, we topped our results from last year, and are up 10%-15%,” said Mike Hudson of Port Boat House. “This was our best show ever.”
“This was a good show for us thanks to the quality of people in attendance,” said Don Craig of Rod’s Power & Marine. “We wrote several deals and have a significant number of leads for follow up.
Exhibitors were pleased with the quality of consumers this year, especially given the increase in overall attendance. David Campbell from Freedom Marine stated: “The quality of customer has been better in 2016 than in previous years. We’ve invested more in our hospitality area at Granville Island and we believe that, that sort of quality in the way we treat potential customers supports the quality of the boats we’re selling.”
The Show attracted a wider audience this year, partly as a result of new and exciting features, including actor Ted Lange (Issac Washington from The Love Boat), who spent the Show meeting with fans, posing for photos and speaking with a variety of members of the local Vancouver media. In addition, Prop Formula1 racer Mike McLellan brought his incredible powerboat for display, while rower Brenda Robbins broke a world record for continuously rowing for 26 straight hours. The Dockside Grill cooking stage shone the spotlight on cooking in small spaces, while The Lower Deck bar brought guests together in the show’s central socializing hub.
Dates for the 55th Vancouver International Boat Show are scheduled for January 18 – 22, 2017 at BC Place and Granville Island.
Western Canada’s largest consumer boating event, the Vancouver International Boat Show is owned by the Boating BC Association and produced by Canadian Boat Shows.
