Visitors down but mood optimistic at Stockholm boat show
By IBI Magazine
Visitors may be slightly down at Stockholm International Boat Show, but exhibitors are reporting positive leads at the Swedish capital's indoor show as the industry gears up for growth in 2010.
The ongoing SIBS, which closes this Sunday, has so far defied expectations for increased attendance, suffering from a reduction in visitors of around four per cent from 49,000 at this stage in the event last year to 47,000 this year.
Mats Eriksson, CEO of the national marine industry association Sweboat, says that despite the drop in attendance, exhibitor feedback has so far been almost entirely positive.
"That Sweden has just suffered the worst winter in 20 years has probably influenced visitor attendance," Eriksson told IBI at SIBS today. "But there remains a lot of optimism."
Boatbuilders canvassed by IBI offered positive feedback: "The show has been quite positive so far," says Mats Melbin, general manager of Anytec, a builder of aluminium boats from 5m-13m. "We've seen a lot of people and many potential customers. Some of our dealers have also sold several boats."
Some exhibitors in the equipment hall, however, were less enthusiastic about the attendance and quality of this year's visitors:
"SIBS is certainly quieter for us that in previous years," Stefan Järleby, CEO of aluminium frame producer NOA Aluminium AB told IBI. "The Open Yard show in Orust generates more business for my company, even if it has a quarter of the visitors."
SIBS - also known as Allt För Sjön - runs from March 6-14 and features 463 exhibitors. Visitors to last year's show totalled 95,252.
(12 March 2010)
|
