Feb 23, 2021
Visitors to the 59th Vancouver International Boat Show will be introduced to the very latest boats and boating-related products on the market, but this year they can do so from the comfort of their own home because the event will be virtual - taking place February 24 – 27, 2021.
A key focus of the 2021 edition of the Vancouver Show will be to connect visitors with salespeople and product specialists who will be representing all of the major brands; with everything available in a simple, interactive format that makes shopping for boats, product, services and accessories easy and convenient.
“This year’s event is a perfect opportunity for experienced and novice boaters to purchase anything they in order to get out on BC’s incredible waters. Even though we’re not able to come together as we typically do each year, the boating lifestyle is resilient. Going ‘virtual’ was a clear evolution to keep BC boaters in-touch, but at a distance,” said Show Manager Eric Nicholl. “As we approach the one-year mark of the COVID pandemic, families and individuals are increasingly finding that escaping to the water is a safe, viable and compelling recreational activity.”
‘We believe that the strong number of exhibitors who are participating in the virtual show makes it a great central hub for all the latest products across the sector – from boats to paddle boards to accessories and safety gear - and all at Boat Show pricing,” continued Nicholl.
2021 Virtual Vancouver Boat Show Highlights:
Enhanced Shopping Experience: Thousands of new products, from boats, products, accessories and services, will be available online for consumers to shop at exclusive Boat Show deals and complete plans for the fast approaching summer boating season. Industry manufacturers, dealers, and retailers will be presenting innovative ways to showcase their products including virtual boat tours, 360o showrooms, and video content for a better shopping experience. Consumers can also connect directly with participating dealers who will be available during virtual show hours for live chats, video and phone appointments, or by email.
New Product Launches: Explore all the latest 2021 boat models, accessories, technology, and lifestyle products that will be trending on the waters this summer. Exhibitors will also be hosting live-streamed events and product launches exclusively at the Virtual Vancouver Boat Show.
VIBS Live: A dedicated live platform featuring video content created for VIBS viewers. Watch real-time demos, guided boat tours, interviews with industry experts, speaker panels, Q&A sessions, and creative videos. New content will be streamed daily during the entire show.
Virtual Seminars presented by Freedom Marine: An engaging and comprehensive line up of virtual seminars for boaters of all interests – enhanced with interactive participation to ask questions and share comments just as you would in-person.
Community Chatroom: VIBS organizers have created a new Community Chatroom for virtual attendees to socially gather online. Users will be able to post questions, create discussions, and to connect with boaters on a variety of subjects in a friendly and welcoming space.
Attending the show is FREE! Pre-registration is made possible by Yamaha Canada, and is open now for the 2021 Virtual Vancouver Boat Show, February 24-27. Sign-up for free at VancouverBoatShow.ca
Specific program and access details will be posted at www.VancouverBoatShow.ca as they are finalized. Virtual Vancouver International Boat Show Hours:
• Wednesday – Friday 11am – 7pm
• Saturday 9am – 5pm
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.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW GOES VIRTUAL FEBRUARY 24-27
Recreational craft and invasive species – how to manage biofouling to stop the spread
New Biofouling Management for Recreational Boating Report is published
Killer shrimps, sea squirts and the spiny water flea are all examples of invasive alien species that have been introduced to new areas in various parts of the world by recreational craft such as boats, yachts and other small craft.
Invasive alien species are known to be one of the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss, and their management especially in marine environments is incredibly challenging. Therefore, the most cost effective away of addressing their impacts is to prevent their spread to new areas.
Changing Scene
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Launchings
Brunswick Corporation launches new boat brand designed for electrification and first-time boaters
On January 4, 2023, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) launched Veer, an all-new boat brand designed to support electric propulsion and appeal to the next generation of boaters, and also debuted the first model in the Veer line-up; the X13.
“Recreational boating and fishing are enjoying increasing popularity with younger and more diverse consumers,” said Matt Atilano, Veer Director of Strategy. “We identified a gap in the marketplace and a need to create a more targeted and modern experience for these new boaters, which inspired the design and development of the Veer brand.”
Garmin expands popular ECHOMAP UHD2 chartplotter series with new features and touchscreen design
Garmin has announced their new ECHOMAP™ UHD2 series chartplotters that offer anglers premium features like Ultra High-Definition sonar, preloaded Garmin Navionics+™ mapping with an included one-year subscription to daily map updates, wireless networking for data sharing and support for Garmin’s award-winning LiveScope™ live-scanning sonar.
Available with a 6”, 7” or 9” bright, sunlight-readable touchscreen display with keyed assist, anglers can easily control and operate the functions they depend on for a successful day on the water, including zooming in or out on the map or quickly toggling between different sonar views.
People
C-Tow Marine Assistance appoints Jill Noel to Manager of Operations
C-Tow Marine Assistance Ltd., which has been serving and assisting recreational boaters across Canadian waterways for more than 35 years, has announced the appointment of Jill Noel to Manager of Operations, effective January 2, 2023.
In her new role, with an overall goal of building the C-Tow brand across Ontario and throughout Canada, Jill will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations including digital marketing and social media initiatives, company representation at national and local industry events, managing the C-Tow captains, and liaising with marinas, yacht clubs, and marine associations.
