Gold Coast International Marine Expo’s
economic effect tops $50 million … and counting
For immediate release 26th June 2016
The powerful economic impact of the 5th annual Gold Coast International
Marine Expo is still being measured a month after the event, with ongoing
activity translating to total confirmed sales in excess of $50 million.
In the 30 days since ‘the boat show with so much more’, organisers have
been compiling feedback from all exhibitors to gauge the full effect of
Australia’s new and truly unique boat show, which this year brought its dates
forward to May.
Held in the heart of the biggest recreational shipyards, luxury motor yacht and
aluminum boat building facilities in the southern hemisphere, the Expo is run
by a not-for-profit association created by marine industry leaders. Seeking to
reinvent the concept of the traditional boat show, Expo is more than a
massive showcase of all things aquatic. Spanning a 3km long display circuit,
visitors are treated to interactive and educational entertainment as well as
almost every possible marine display.
The overwhelming consensus, says Event & Marketing Manager Emma
Milne, confirms the Expo is continuing to produce outstanding results across
the entire spectrum of the marine industry well beyond its four days.
“Our exhibitors have certainly capitalised on the new customers they met
throughout the four fantastic days of Expo and the result so far confirms that
this year’s event was our most successful ever on many levels,” said Ms
Milne.
“But it’s only been a month: the true success of a major event like Expo will be
reflected for many months to come because, realistically, many people like to
undertake research before committing to significant purchases.”
Ms Milne said although some exhibitors prefer to remain confidential about
their business activity, reported sales both during and after the Expo reveal a
sales figure thus far in excess of $50 million.
“A great deal of that activity – in fact over 40 per cent – has come in the 30
days since the actual event … and that’s only the sales that have been
reported to us,” she said.
Ms Milne said the extremely positive results encompassed smaller boating
businesses through to on-water brokers as well as engine, equipment and
accessories suppliers, all the way to major manufacturers of trailer boats and
large luxury yachts … and then right through the supply chain actively
servicing those businesses.
“That means new jobs, real growth and new opportunities in our marine
industry … resulting in very positive feedback regarding our decision to bring
the Expo dates forward to May to better suit the boating business cycle,” she
said.
“One smaller shipwright service business told us that, before Expo, they were
faced with the prospect of laying people off but, now, they have eight months
of forward orders already signed … and the work is still coming in,” she said.
“Another smaller boat-builder reported that they received four orders for new
boats each valued at $250,000 at the Expo, and there are now eight more
orders in the pipeline – again all through the exposure and opportunities
generated by Expo in May.”
Brett Thurley from Pacific Motor Yachts and Clipper Motor Yachts said that he
could directly attribute the contracting of 10 new and pre-owned boats valued
in excess of $4 million to the Expo, with most having been now delivered to
their new owners.
“We also have ongoing discussions on four new Clipper models from the
customer relationships commenced at Expo,” he said. “Our conversions from
deposits to completions was very high but it’s probably more important to
highlight the ongoing impact of the Expo in terms of jobs and opportunities.
“We contract 10-12 family-owned businesses and the flow-on effects will
mean they can grow, pay their bills and employ more people – that’s the
impact that really matters … the activity continues to filter through the broader
economy.”
The creation of new jobs was confirmed by Riviera chairman and owner
Rodney Longhurst who said Australia’s marine industry 2015 Exporter of the
Year was now advertising for more boat-builders and tradesmen, adding to
the 430-strong team currently based at the marque’s world-class Coomera
facility.
“We sold 12 luxury motor yachts at the Expo and an additional three in the
past month as a direct result of our on-water showcase – our largest ever in
Australia,” he said.
“Some of our models now have forward orders carrying through to the end of
2016 … and this means Australian jobs not just here at Riviera, but right
throughout the Gold Coast Marine Precinct where over 2,500 people are
employed and the value of the supply chain servicing the businesses located
domestically and internationally runs into hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Ms Milne said over 40 per cent of Expo visitors came from outside of the Gold
Coast, and while they were here they spent money on accommodation, on
meals and on enjoying everything else the Gold Coast has to offer.
“The full flow-on effect of the Expo certainly has wider economic benefits and
these are very substantial,” she said.
“It’s very satisfying that visitors are also reporting that they loved the fact they
could come to Expo by car, train, helicopter or boat and they loved what they
experienced. In fact almost 60 per cent of all visitors surveyed spent over five
hours enjoying all that the Expo had to offer. Over 70 per cent rated Expo an
8 or better out of 10, and over 25 per cent rated Expo as 10 out of 10.
“It’s this kind of result that inspires us to deliver a unique experience for our
visitors and a strong return on investment for our exhibitors.”
Lee Randall from Spirit Marine International said four luxury boats had been
sold through his brokerage business as a result of relationships started at the
2015 Expo.
“And that’s not necessarily the stock we exhibited on the water there,” he said.
“I’m stoked with the result – the contacts we made at Expo are still being
followed up but at this stage we can report that we have sold boats to the
value of over $2.5 million … with more to come.”
Noel Leigh-Smith from Leigh-Smith Marine said he felt Expo was terrific value
for money from an exhibitor’s and visitor’s perspective.
“We had a lot of interest in both the brokerage boats we had at Expo and
we’ve since sold one boat we didn’t even have on display, and that’s as a
result of the contact and discussions we had during Expo.”
Barry Martin from Jaeger Boats made his first foray into a boat show at Expo
and is very excited about the fact he sold his first highly polished, unsinkable
255 Dinghy at its World Premiere, and has since worked hard to establish
solid relationships with key trade representatives.
“We put a lot of research into the product – it’s a brand-new concept – and
Expo was a fantastic introduction to the market,” he said.
Troy Dibben from Troy Dibben Boat Building said the Expo was the best boat
show he had ever attended.
“Expo produced an outstanding result for us. We had a continuous flow of
people and handed out a lot of brochures and now the work is continuing to
come in. We restore classic boats to their former glory – some from the 1920s
– and we’ve been able to help a lot of people see the benefits of doing that.”
Dylan Lopez from Sirocco Marine North – which specialises in rigid inflatable
boats – said relationships commenced at the Expo were still being followed up
and sea trials are still being conducted … and more prospects were coming
through the doors each week.
“Expo has always been great for us – it’s definitely a winner,” he said.
Paul Phelan from Australia’s largest aluminium boat-builder, Telwater, said
the Expo produced the best Gold Coast boat show result ever for the popular
Quintrex line, with orders still coming through from dealers placed throughout
South East Queensland and beyond.
“Expo was a terrific opportunity for us to showcase all the boats our team of
over 200 people builds here at Coomera, including Quintrex, Stacer, Savage
and Yellowfin plate boats,” he said.
“However Quintrex and our new 2015 range is the outstanding success story:
just one of our dealers reported sales in excess of $700,000 at the Expo, and
a further $300,000 since then.
“We are now forecasting to grow 10 per cent next financial year … and that
can be attributed in part to the success we enjoyed at Expo and we are
actively recruiting new people to help us meet this growing demand.”
Expo’s 2016 dates are 19-22 May.