The show must go on: Despite opening a day late, Sanctuary Cove finishes on upbeat note
By IBI Magazine
Facing winds of 117 kmph and torrential rain, organisers of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) were forced to postpone the show's opening by a day. Despite running a day shorter, SCIBS still turned in a very respectable attendance of 36,479 by the time it closed last Sunday. Last year, there were 50,678 attendees. "A comparison is a bit difficult as it would be against a near-record crowd of four days in 2008," Kate Duryea, the show's communications manager wrote in an email to IBI. "Even now parts of northern New South Wales are flooded, and there are towns cut off. Given the conditions, the boat show was very pleased with the numbers." The show had 224 boats in the water and another 365 on land. There was a total of 406 exhibitors. Organisers said that besides the Australian market, there were visitors, exhibitors, buyers and delegations from India, Taiwan, China, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, Spain, the US and the Philippines. SCIBS issued a statement saying that Sea-Doo and Kawasaki Jet Ski dealers made multiple sales, while Sunseeker, Horizon, Riviera, and The Haines Group were among many OEMs that took deposits or sold boats during the show. Riviera, which is in receivership, had seven buyers put deposits on its newly launched 5800 Sports Yacht. The builder signed sales contracts for four other Rivieras. "Thanks to the dedicated boat show team, our contractors and the emergency services including the police and ambulance, we were able to ensure the safe delivery of the 2009 event during these unseasonal conditions," said show general manager Mark Jensen in the statement. "We had excellent results given the extraordinary weather conditions."
(26 May 2009)
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