2006 Vancouver Boat Show declared a success

swadminFebruary 24, 2006

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – British Columbia’s boating industry continues to grow as attendance and sales at the 2006 Vancouver International Boat Show saw increases, organizers said in a press release Monday.

Final attendance at the five-day show was 38,305; up from 2005 (36,016) and 2004 (37,481). This marks a total attendance increase of 26 percent since 2004, when the BC Marine Trades Association became owners of the show and the National Marine Manufacturers Association took over event management.

Exhibitors reported sales up across the board, from luxury yachts to smaller runabouts, gear and accessories. Interest in services was also strong.

One of the biggest successes of the 2006 show was the in-water location at the False Creek Yacht Club, organizers said.

“Over 10,000 show-goers visited the in-water location, well beyond what we had anticipated,” said Jennifer Kastelein, show manager. “The growth of the in-water location is a direct reflection of British Columbia’s interest in the luxury yacht and sailboat industry.”

The show featured over 250 exhibitors at the BC Place Stadium portion of the show and 60 in-water boats at the False Creek Yacht Club. The strong Canadian dollar and the strong British Columbian economy put people in a positive buying mood, organizers said.

Preparation is underway for the 2007 Vancouver International Boat Show, which is set to take place Feb. 7 to Feb. 11, 2007 at BC Place Stadium and the False Creek Yacht Club.