Marine experts tip Sanctuary Cove International boat show will outstrip Sydney event
ONE Gold Coast boat expo has hit dry ground but its demise will mean big business for the remaining Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.
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A GOLD Coast boat building industry doyen believes the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show can become the nation’s largest following the demise of a rival.
The Coomera-based Gold Coast International Boat Show and Marine Expo has been axed for March 2018, leaving the long-running Sanctuary Cove event as the city’s sole major exhibition.
Maritimo founder Bill Barry-Cotter said it would not surprise him if Sanctuary Cove’s show now overtook Sydney’s as Australia’s premier event.
“Sanctuary Cove has a better image for overseas people to come to because of the time of the year and because of the destination,” he said.
“Only having one show on the Gold Coast it will definitely get bigger.”
The sunk Expo, in the bustling Coomera marine precinct, had heavyweight backing from boat builder Riviera and Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard, last year attracting 23,000 people to view 600 boats.
But friction between the Coomera and Sanctuary Cove events emerged three years ago when Expo backers decided to piggyback on the same four days in May traditionally used by their rival.
Expo backers argued it would create a mega marine weekend acting as a drawcard event for the city. But smaller boat retailers complained at having to choose between the two events and this year Expo moved forward to March.
Yesterday, it was announced the Expo committee had decided to not proceed with a 2018 show at all.
Expo marketing boss Emma Brown said the space required and impact of Expo on businesses in the hub was a “significant consideration”.
“Boat building factories at Gold Coast Marine Precinct in Coomera are now bustling as a result of new boat sales and the handstands and refit sheds are a hive of activity,” she said.
Mr Barry-Cotter and Stefan Boating World owner Stefan Ackerie said they had to credit Expo for having a go and both hoped it might return in future but in October, traditionally popular for boat-buying.
AMT Marine broker Keryn Spriggs said both shows were fantastic and it was sad to see Expo go. “(But) we understand it must be a big disruption for the businesses hosting it,” she said.
Expo founder Stephen Milne said “never say never” about a future event at a later time of year, but Expo was founded at a “depressed” time in the market which had now recovered.
“It’s tragic it had to come to this but in a way it’s a victim of its own success,” Mr Milne said.