South Africa's leading boat show has a new sponsor and name. According to a statement from the organiser, Biz Events, Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance has signed on as lead sponsor. The show, which runs August 17 to 19, 2007, will be called The Absa National Boat Show. It will also incorporate the trade show Dive 2007.

"The sponsorship is strategic for us and enables us to align our product offer with a show whose audience profile closely matches a large sector of our leisure and asset finance target market," said Marcel de Klerk, managing executive of Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance, in the statement. "We specialise in tailoring finance solutions predominantly for motor vehicles and business type assets, but we are also able to finance all marine craft, yachts, bikes, quads, trailers and caravans." de Klerk says the company will offer online financing at its booth.

Heidi Warricker, managing director of Biz Events and organiser of the National Boat Show, said in the statement that the new sponsor "is not only one of the biggest leisure and asset finance companies in South Africa, but unquestionably one of its leading players." Warricker added that Absa's presence would be valuable to consumers seeking financing for new boats, and also exhibitors "whose products are priced in the range where financing is both viable and desirable to the buyer."

The show will take place in the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate, Johannesburg. Its website said that it had about 180 exhibitors last year, and about 30,000 visitors.