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Strong Sales, Healthy Crowds at 8th Annual Toronto In-Water Boat Show
Strong Sales, Healthy Crowds at 8th Annual Toronto In-Water Boat Show
Despite slight drop off in attendance, exhibitors report positive results at this year’s event
TORONTO, October 9, 2006 – More than 250 new power and sailboats were on display at the 8th Annual Toronto In-Water Boat Show, taking place September 14-17 at Ontario Place in Toronto, Ontario. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada and Ontario Place partnered for the eighth consecutive year to produce the show, which in addition to its in-water portion also featured a tent-lined shorefront showcasing the latest boats and marine accessories. Total attendance at this year’s show was 10,118, down four percent from its 2005 total (10,554). Yet despite the slight attendance drop off, exhibitors reported strong sales and a quality buying crowd present during the 2006 event.
“Exhibitors consistently reported strong sales providing a year-end opportunity to clear out remaining inventory and get a jump on the selling season of the 2007 models,” said Cynthia Hare, assistant show manager. “The theme of the shows marketing efforts highlight the event as the ‘Boat Sale of the Summer,’ in an effort to provide retail sales at a time of year when sales would traditionally drop off.”
“This was one of the best shows yet,” reported Bernie Luttmer of Swans Marina, a dealer for the Catalina, C&C and Tartan brands. “We sold 8 boats and with the leads generated at the show we expect this number will leap to 11 or 12 boats sold.
Sea Ray dealer Frank Farnsworth of Skyline Marina echoed this same sentiment of brisk sales and quality attendees. “Once again, we see quality customers come out to this show. The interest continues to increase year after year.”
Dave Mayhew of Boat Warehouse, dealers for Silverton Yachts and Four Winns, was very pleased with the show’s outcome. “There was excitement around the bigger boats this year. This was one of the most successful in-water boat shows, which generated some great leads due to the quality buyers that attended.”
Pride Marine Group’s Jeff Barnes—dealer for the Mariah, Nautique, Correct Craft, Edgewater, Crownline, Donzi, Pursuit, Hackercraft, Bennington, Mariah and Chris Craft brands—commented on the crowds. “It was great to see customers come out to the show, and this year we experienced a larger influx of people from Sarnia, London and St. Thomas (south west peninsula). We have product aimed at the big water boaters such as Lake Huron and Lake Erie, so it was great to see them at the show.”
Rudy Zander of Sea Weed Marine (Anchor Welding Inc.) reported, “As a first time exhibitor, I was quite happy with the show and am looking forward to exhibiting next year.”
The Discover Boating Centre continues as one of the Toronto show’s most popular attractions, offering free boat rides to those interested in learning about the boating lifestyle and experiencing the joys of being out on the water. This year’s Discover Boating Centre featured nine boats, both power and sail, resulting in a total of 917 people receiving free boat rides—a new, all-time high.
“We’re really pleased we took a record number of people out on the water at this year’s show and gave them a first-hand experience,” said Lindsay Rennie, marketing director for Discover Boating Canada. “We hope we have made them boaters for life.”
Next year, the Toronto In-Water Boat Show will take place September 13-16, 2007. The show is co-produced by NMMA and Ontario Place. For more information, visit www.torontoboatshow.com or call (905) 951-0009.
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in North America. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy, market research and data, product quality assurance and marketing communications.
Submitted by: michelle
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Added: Thu Oct 26 2006
