THE second annual Gold Coast International Marine Expo kicks off this Friday November 2 and runs for three days.
The not-for-profit event is staged from 9am to 5pm within the facilities of Australia’s largest boat manufacturing plants and shipyards at Coomera. This ready-made venue provides the perfect location for the public to see such facilities and witness boat building, refitting and repairing first hand.
The Expo is open to all businesses in the marine industry and will include power and sail, new and used boats, and craft of all sizes with marine equipment and services provided.
More than 190 exhibitors, entertainers and vendors will roll through the gates this week and begin setting up their displays and stalls for what promises to be a marine Expo extravaganza.
Hundreds of boats ranging in size from kayaks to superyachts have now started to move in and set up either on land or at the impressive on water display, which will feature more than 120 luxury boats alone from Australia’s and the world’s leading marine brands.
Marquees are being erected; the factories and refit sheds are being cleaned out in preparation for the weekend’s factory tours, while the Jetlev Jetpack and Flyboard X Flyers rehearse along the Coomera River. The Roulettes have surveyed the area in preparation for the weekend’s entertainment, and Riviera’s boat builders are putting the finishing touches onto the 5000th Riviera, which will be launched at a special gala dinner on Friday night.
Riviera has also located one of the very first models ever built in 1980, a 38 Flybridge MKI, which will be displayed alongside the 5000th boat at the Expo.
Gold Coast International Marine Expo spokesman Stephen Milne said it was extremely satisfying to see the Expo coming together so quickly and professionally.
“We learnt a lot last year and have implemented many new marketing and set-up strategies to enhance our 2012 Expo,” he said.
“Our small team and voluntary committee have worked tirelessly on this event for the past 12 months and to see the fruits of our labour coming together this week is a great achievement.
“We are expecting a huge crowd of more than 20,000 people through the gates over the three days of the Expo, and we look forward to showcasing the life blood of the Gold Coast marine industry to the world.
“This year more than 200 leading marine brands will be displayed over a 2.5 kilometre show circuit, we have over 40 new exhibitors, and an action packed line-up of entertainment has been secured.
“Our website traffic is receiving more than 1000 visitors a day now as our national television campaign kicks in and we publish our event time table.”
More information at: gcmarineexpo.com.au
