Barcelona Boat Show expands
By IBI Magazine
The International Boat Show of Barcelona is set to occupy all five pavilions of Fira de Barcelona's Gran Vía exhibition centre for the first time during its 2006 edition, from November 4-12.
Simultaneously the Port Vell On-Water Show will feature 231 large boats, and the 45th Barcelona Boat Show will host the first ever BCN Dive, dedicated to the underwater world, during November 4-7.
This year's boat show is the biggest ever with 110,000sqm (1,184,000sqft) between the two venues, a 10 per cent increase on last year, and 624 exhibitors from 32 countries. Compared to 2005 there is also a 17 per cent increase in booked space in the Gran Vía exhibition centre.
The Gran Vía location will host around 1,800 boats and will feature all sports and recreational boating segments, occupying two more pavilions than last year. Pavilion 1 will exhibit accessories, canoes and kayaks, charters, sail boats, fun beach, sports marinas, sails, windsurfing, nautical schools and a shopping area. Pavilion 2 will showcase inflatable boats and fishing cruisers, as well as launches, engines, jet skis, fishing and tugs. Pavilions 3 and 4 will be reserved for electronics and motorboats, and, pavilion 5 will house the underwater sector in the first BCN Dive.
The 6th Port Vell On-Water Show, which will be held at La Fusta and Espanya docks, will provide the setting for 231 sailboats, motorboats and catamarans of over 12m (39ft) in length. The boats in the water are generally larger and the average length will be 20m (66ft) for motoryachts and 17m (56ft) for sailboats.
The Gran Via venue of the Boat Show will also set the scene for many activities which, in addition to the events organised by exhibitors at their stands, will be held in six separate areas featuring product presentations, training courses, professional meetings, awards ceremonies, workshops, contests, race announcements, and more.
In this year's show, the organisers will also increase the space dedicated to young boat designers and feature more projects related to innovation to boost sports and recreational boating. In total 20 exhibitors will participate in the Young Designers Island, which represents design schools and companies dedicated to this field.
Making its debut this year is the Traditional Marine Space which will house historic boats, institutions and companies that oversee the recovery of maritime and river heritage. The area will be set up in the outdoor spaces of the Gran Vía exhibition centre and visitors will be able to see Mediterranean boats fitted with lateen sails, rowing boats, Galician dornas (dories) and also larger boats such as the "barques de mitjana", pailebotes (schooners) and even steam boats.
From November 4-12 a free shuttle bus service will transport visitors from Plaza de España, Barcelona airport and Port Vell to the Gran Vía exhibition centre, operating from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The International Boat Show of Barcelona is a trade show of Fira de Barcelona, a leading organiser of industrial and professional exhibitions in Spain and Europe.
(31 October 2006)
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