Gold Coast International Boat Show pulls up anchor and axes 2018 event

A MAJOR Gold Coast boating showcase has hit dry ground and won’t be going ahead in 2018, in a shock announcement from organisers.

The Gold Coast International Boat Show and Marine Expo, supported by Riviera and its luxury models, will not go ahead in 2018. Photo: Supplied

ONE of the Gold Coast’s two major boat shows has hit dry ground, announcing it will no longer go ahead in 2018.

The Gold Coast International Boat Show and Marine Expo organising committee has decided it will be “halted effective 2018”, a statement this morning said.

Its March event earlier this year attracted 23,000 through the gates, with more than 600 boats and 230 exhibitors.

Dani Byrne in among the 600 boats on display at the March, 2017, Gold Coast International Boat Show and Marine Expo at the Riviera complex — the show has been “halted” for 2018. Photo: David Clark

The show, held in the midst of the bustling Coomera marine precinct, was considered more of a “working man’s” alternative to its glitzy prestige rival, the long-running Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS). It had heavyweight backing from Coomera boat building giant Riviera and the Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyward with displays ranging from tinnies and the latest fishing gear right through to luxury European models.

But friction between Expo and Sanctuary Cove’s show emerged in late 2014 when Marine Expo backers decided to piggyback on the same four days in May that SCIBS had run for almost 30 years.

The Gold Coast International Boat Show and Marine Expo had heavyweight backing from Gold Coast boat building giant Riviera whose brand and communications director was on the Expo committee. He is pictured among the 600-boat display worth $150 million earlier this year. Picture: Richard Gosling

The clash, involving smaller boating brands complaining about having to choose, lasted two years until the Marine Expo earlier this year moved it forward to March.

In a statement today, Marine Expo event and marketing manager Emma Brown said: “After lengthy consideration, the committee has reluctantly reached this decision, especially following the success of our 2017 show for both our valued boating enthusiast visitors and exhibitors.

“The boat building factories at the 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.

Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst was among supports of the Expo. Picture: Adam Head

“Available space within the current site together with the impact of the show on businesses in the precinct has become a significant consideration.”

Ms Brown said in its seven years Marine Expo had welcomed more than 140,000 through its gates and helped cement the Coomera marine precinct as the boat industry capital of the country.

It was the only show held in shipyards and boat factories, including train ride tours of the sprawling manufacturing base of luxury local boat builder Riviera.

Ms Brown said: “We would like to take this opportunity to publicly and sincerely thank all of our great supporters over the past seven years — our enthusiastic visitors, loyal exhibitors, steadfast event partners, stable suppliers and the generous land holders who have all given and contributed so much to the success of our show.”

Marine Expo bosses always maintained their decision to run on the same days as SCIBS was an attempt to create a drawcard long weekend with the Gold Coast hosting the biggest marine event in the country.