Strong boat-show sales reported in Southern California
ORANGE, Calif. – Southern California marine retailers have seen strong, “sometimes record sales” this spring, and the Southern California Marine Association believes the good start “bodes well” for the 2004 summer selling season, the SCMA said in a recent press release.
The SCMA, which will produce six boat shows in the region this year, said its recent Spring Boat Show in Pomona, Calif. produced “tremendous results for exhibitors across the board.”
“The majority of our exhibitors reported better than expected sales, and we’re seeing more families take to boating this year, with increased sales in the deck boat category – which is your sport utility of the boating market,” Dave Geoffroy, SCMA executive director said.
“We owe a large portion of our success to the great job the Southern California Marine Association does promoting these shows and getting people to attend,” said Jerry Barron, general sales manager for Irwindale, Calif. boat manufacturer Hallett Boats. “I’m very pleased by the volume of people attending [the shows]. They are in a good mood, and most important of all, asking the right questions.”
The San Diego Summer Boat Show – to be held July 22-25 – will be the SCMA’s fourth show in 2004. It precedes the International Sail and Power Boat Show, which will be held in Long Beach, Calif. this fall.
Geoffroy said the SCMA is now predicting an even bigger turnout for the San Diego show than was originally anticipated.
“We strongly believe this year’s positive trend will continue through our final two boat shows,” said Geoffroy. “This will be the first time for a summer show in San Diego, and exhibitors are booking space at a much faster pace than we expected. I’d say that is a pretty good indication that there is a demand for a summer show in this market.”
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