2017 boot Düsseldorf draws 242,000 from 70 countries
The recent staging of boot Düsseldorf, 48th International Boat Show, closed to positive results, organizers said.
“boot is in great shape. There was a vibrant atmosphere in all the halls during the nine days. Good sales and a party mood were the outstanding features of boot 2017. The trade fair efficiently succeeds in satisfying the conflicting requirements of being both an entertainment and business platform,” said Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, president & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf.
More than 1,800 exhibitors from 70 countries presented their products and services to a total of 242,000 visitors from 70 nations in Düsseldorf, Germany.
“Water sports enthusiasts from all over the world visited boot. People came from almost every European country. Our exhibitors reported excellent sales figures, stating that boot is the most important business platform worldwide,” explained boot director Petros Michelidakis.
The majority of the foreign visitors were from the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and France, with increased attendance from Eastern Europe and Asia as well.
“Following the success they achieved in their business operations in 2016, our companies had high expectations of boot and these expectations were fulfilled in every respect,” said Jürgen Tracht, director of the German Association of the Water Sports Industry. “We had highly qualified people on the stands who were keen to buy. What impressed us above all was the international background of the visitors. The industry succeeded in recording excellent sales in almost all market segments; an unusually large number of newcomers are entering the motor boat segment and prove to us that boating has developed into a genuinely trendy sport.”
According to the BVWW, sales of motor boats up to Euro 80,000 at the trade fair were very good, while demand for luxury yachts was greater than ever before. Jürgen Tracht anticipates even stronger demand from exhibitors from the luxury segment for boot in the coming year: “Shipyards that observe the trade fair from outside this year have realized that it is essential to participate if they want to compete on the international market.”
Exhibitors also spoke highly of the show. Magnus Rassy from the Swedish sailing yacht manufacturer Hallberg-Rassy, noted, “We are very satisfied with boot Düsseldorf. It is quite simply the best boat trade fair in the world.”
Martin Schemkes from Jeanneau/Prestige, which also owns the Four Winns, Glastron, Scarab and Wellcraft brands added, “The excellent infrastructure at boot and the quality of the visitors make it possible for us to sell this large number of boats. We are already looking forward to the next boot Düsseldorf in 2018.”
Albert Gerritsma Motoryachts/Cabin Boats Breedendam BV, remarked, “Breedendam enjoyed busy and productive days at boot 2017. The fact that boot lasts nine days and covers two weekends gives us a great opportunity to meet wide range of visitors and clients.”
In addition to the 1,800 boats and yachts on display, boot 2017 also catered to the entire water sports community. The recreational diving halls, in which all the top international brands were represented, reflected the popularity of water sports. Technically interested visitors were keen about the new developments in diving computers and other high-tech equipment available from the leading suppliers. Travel operators presented exciting diving vacation destinations all around the globe. There is an increasingly strong trend towards environmentally sound trips and activities.
With exciting competitions and stunts, the “WAVE” in Hall 2 was a great attraction for surfers and other visitors at boot 2017. Petros Michelidakis, commented: “With the WAVE, we took the plunge with something that is unique in the world. The first standing ‘Deep Water Wave’ at a water sports trade fair developed into a major attraction for visitors right from the start.”
More than 93,000 fans cheered on the star surfers not only during the contests on both boot weekends but also when they were training during the week. Almost 1,500 people – from beginners to the world champion – surfed the up to 4.9 feet high “WAVE” during the nine days of boot.
One of the boot 2017 highlights – both visually and thematically – was the “love your ocean” stand in Hall 4 with its ambassador Emily Penn. A co-operative project between the German Ocean Foundation and boot Düsseldorf with support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, it raised awareness of and interest in protecting oceans and water environment. In the presence of the Prince of Monaco, the three partners signed a co-operation agreement launching the “Ocean Tribute” at the boot VIP “Blue Motion Night” event. This award will be presented for the first time at boot 2018 in the categories society, science and industry to honor innovative ideas and products that protect the water environment.
boot Düsseldorf 2018 will be January 20 – 28, 2018 in Düsseldorf, Germany. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at boot 2018, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com or visit http://www.mdna.com.
