The Boat Show expects this year’s edition to exceed 55,000 visitors it had in 2019since it offers “greater supply and content” and there is a larger universe of potential visitors due to the increase in the purchase of boats during the pandemic.
This was explained this Tuesday at a press conference by the general director of the Barcelona Capital Nàutica Foundation (FBCN), Ignasi Armengohe; the president of congress, Louis Count; the director of him, Josep Antoni Llopartand the general secretary of the National Association of Nautical Companies (Anen), Carlos San Lorenzo.
The 60th edition of the meeting will be held at the docks of La Fusta, Espanya and Marina Port Vell, which opens this year, between October 12 and 16, and plans to host 221 exhibitors, more than 700 boats –of which 182 will be in the water– and an exhibition space of 21,000 square meters.
Innovation and sustainability
Conde explained that the meeting has recovered the data from before the pandemic and that will focus on innovation and sustainability in the nautical sector. He has assured that sustainability “comes with such force” that companies that do not meet the reference indices may have, in his words, problems finding credit in the bank.
The Boat Show incorporates in this year’s edition the ‘Innovation Dock’, a space that will host 15 emerging companies that will present availability and digitization initiatives. Sanlorenzo explained that the sector data to date show a 15% year-on-year contraction in vessel registrations between January and August, which is explained by the return to normality after the increase in 2021 and by the lack of supply in some types of boat, such as jet skis.
Conde has assured that “there is no crisis effect” in the nautical sector and has shown his confidence that the show will function well. This year’s Boat Show will expand the spaces it occupies in the Port of Barcelona, with the incorporation of the Marina Port Vell, which will host the exhibition part dedicated to motor boats and catamarans next to the Spain dock.
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For its part, the Moll de la Fusta will host the sailing and accessories exhibitors, as well as a new space dedicated to restoration and an experiential part.
Llopart explained that the show has opted for a new ‘VIP Buyers’ program with 300 previously identified buyers who are interested in boats over 15 meters in length. Armengol pointed out that the Boat Show is “the first great opportunity” to explain what the America Cup and that the will is, in his words, to make the best edition of the competition so far.