Vancouver Boat Show attendance down following hiatus
VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Vancouver International Boat Show returned after a yearlong hiatus due to the Olympics, and organizers said they saw higher than expected sales and leads resulting from the five-day show from Feb. 9 to 13.
Final attendance at the 2011 show was 31,106, down 9 percent from the 2009 Show. However, according to a report from the show, revenue generated and a high level of interest from visitors at the show indicate that the year ahead should be robust for the Western Canada’s boating industry.
Comments from exhibitors include:
Andy White of SG Power Products said that the 2011 Show was a true success for his business. “Best Show ever! I’ve been in the industry almost 20 years and I cannot remember a better show!”
Aaron Fell, co-owner of local dealership Breakwater Marine, believes that people are hungry for new boats, and is even opening a third dealership due to this demand, a great deal of which he experienced at the 2011 Show. “Great Show this year,” said Fell. “We exceeded our goal unit and dollar target, attendees were much more qualified than in prior years.”
Steve Cyr from Yamaha Motor Canada explained that at the end of the day, attendance is less important than the actual sales and relationships developed with future customers.
“The Show was a great success for all our dealers, best ever,” he said. “Attendance becomes less relevant than quantity of spending consumers. The show got the right people and that is what really counts. It was a pleasure to work with all the boat show staff.”
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