Brisbane to host new boat show at Manly on Moreton Bay

by Jeni Bone on 16 Sep 2014 In the wake of the 54th Brisbane Boat Show, the team at Marine Queensland is already hard at work planning and creating an effective sales environment for exhibitors at its new event, which will merge the Tinnie & Tackle show with an on-water experience.

Manly Boat Harbour will be the new venue. On beautiful Moreton Bay, Manly Boat Harbour is the largest boat harbour facility in the Southern Hemisphere, with over 3,000 dry standings and wet berths, plus two public boat ramps, one at each end of the harbour.

A number of boating clubs are based in Manly including the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, the Wynnum Manly Yacht Club, the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club, and the Darling Point Sailing Squadron which shares space with the Multi-Hull Club of Australia, and the charity for handicapped people known as Sailability.

There is one commercial marina in the harbour, East Coast Marina, also offering floating berths, undercover boat storage and a boat maintenance yard.

Here, Don Jones, CEO of Marine Queensland shares with us some of the reasoning behind the change and what exhibitors and visitors can look forward to when this unique marine event takes place in March 2015.

• Why move Tinnie & Tackle to Manly?
A few reasons: the Brisbane Showgrounds is currently undergoing a major redevelopment which is resulting in the venue not being conducive to delivering a high quality event for exhibitors and visitors which has its own unique appeal. It is also evident that the role of boat shows is changing away from a place for the visitor to research products, make comparisons, identify dealers and make purchase decisions.

Much of this activity has moved to the online world, so it is important that shows evolve to meet the new and emerging needs of the visitor. This includes three segments – those that want to get into marine recreations, those who want to enhance their skills and those who want to expand their marine recreation activities. This means that shows need to evolve to places where these three segments can get access to experiences, information and education to meet their needs.

• What will the new venue offer exhibitors and visitors?
A first-hand opportunity to experience marine recreation in one of the largest recreational boat harbours in Australia. Exhibitors will be able to innovate and provide first hand experiences right in the place where marine recreation starts for many. For the visitor, it gives them a real life opportunity to experience the lifestyle that is so attractive.

• Has the new show got a name yet?
The brand will be formally launched very soon, but it will incorporate the Brisbane Tinnie & Tackle brand as well as the Explore Australia Expo brand. As the event is a community oriented event it will also showcase other key brands. Marine Queensland has entered into formal affiliation arrangements with the Manly Harbour village Chamber of Commerce and the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club to partner in the event. Other partners will also be coming on board in the near future, so watch this space.

• When is it scheduled?
6, 7 and 8 March 2015. The prospectus will be in the market late September 2014.

• How will you be promoting it?
An ongoing lifestyle campaign will be launched following the Brisbane Boat Show to run over the summer boating season as well as a specific event marketing campaign. Social media will play a strong role in the campaign.

• What can visitors expect in terms of hands-on experiences?
A diverse range of hands-on experiences, educational programs and a wide variety of information which will be of interest from the novice to the experienced enthusiast.

• What range of exhibitors are you looking for?
A broad representation from marine businesses – even those that traditional do not exhibit at boat shows as well as a range of community organisations.

• Where can they obtain information?
Marine Queensland

• Any sponsors onboard?
Discussions are under way with a variety of potential sponsors. Announcements will be made in the very near future.

More at www.marineqld.com.au