New October dates issued for Singapore show

The 10th edition of the Singapore Yacht Show (SYS), the key boat show for South East Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, has been rescheduled to be held from October 15-18, 2020. Alongside this rescheduling, SYS will start a transformation of the event layout which will see it moving to a total on-water format over a number of years, starting with the 2020 edition.

Speaking to IBI from Singapore, Andy Treadwell of Verventia Pte Ltd, the owner and organiser of the Singapore Yacht Show, stated: “The new dates have been agreed as the best option between the organisers, sponsors and exhibitors and we are delighted to finally be able to announce that the 10th anniversary edition of Asia’s most important boat show will take place on 15-18 October 2020, the dates preferred by the vast majority of our participants, in the completely redesigned and rejuvenated ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove.

“Furthermore, we will be unveiling some long-awaited new developments and changes to the show’s layout that will elevate the experience at the rescheduled event in October, and also going forward to next year’s 11th edition (currently slated for 22-25 April). For the first time, we will be moving the whole show onto the water, which means no big exhibition tents on the adjacent grass areas. Instead, thanks to the new pontoon configuration, we are able to build air-conditioned exhibition booths and showrooms all around the perimeter of the marina.”

The decision in February, just six weeks from the planned opening, to postpone the 10th anniversary edition of the show was described as being “hugely difficult”.

Treadwell commented on the global difficulties due to the coronavirus spread, but added: “We can take heart in the fact that China seems to be turning the corner already, and the Singapore and Hong Kong governments have both been lauded for their positive and effective management of the crisis, keeping things under control. So, with a full six months delay to October, we are hopeful that the rescheduled show will be able to give the industry in these parts the boost that it will badly need.”

Arthur Tay, chairman of ONE°15 Marina, commented: “As ‘Best Asian Marina’ in last year’s Asia Pacific Boating Awards, we have committed a substantial investment to renovate our flagship marina at Sentosa this year. We shall endeavour to complete most of the works prior to the rescheduled show dates so that everyone can experience our new marina during the 10th Singapore Yacht Show. Just like the industry, we are always looking to be nimble and stay relevant to the ever-changing market.”

According to the organisers: “In the near future SYS 2020’s diverse calendar of events, family-friendly experiences, workshops for the industry and boaters, sailing lessons for kids, personal watercraft demonstrations will be announced. Visitors can also look forward to more dockside entertainment and party’s right in the heart of the region’s most impressive display of yachts and boats. There really will be something for everyone at SYS 2020.”