SCIBS Industry Trade Breakfast - The ticket for networking and keeping pace with trends

SCIBS Industry Trade Breakfast © Mark Burgin

Representatives at all levels of the Australian and international marine and trade industries will unite at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 2018 for the Industry Trade Breakfast on Friday, May 25.

SCIBS is where 'the marine business does business' and this year on the Friday morning of SCIBS, event organisers invite boating and marine industry proponents to attend the Industry Trade Breakfast, to be held at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, the ideal forum to network and focus on current opportunities.

With a program designed to be informative and foster links among businesses, the breakfast will also allow plenty of time to network, entertain key clients and importantly for exhibitors, introduce trade buyers to their products.

Boat Show general manager Johan Hasser is pleased to extend the invitation to all exhibitors, government, industry organisations and media to the Industry Trade Breakfast, emphasizing SCIBS' role of facilitating firm connections within the industry and ties with broader business.

"SCIBS is very much a B2B show, as much as it is a fantastic event for visitors," Mr Hasser said.

"Exhibitors and their success is our priority. The 2018 SCIBS Industry Trade Breakfast is part of our commitment to creating many and varied opportunities for businesses to meet, share intelligence and explore synergies that expand their commercial horizons.

"Following on from ASMEX, the SCIBS Industry Trade Breakfast event offers a significant opportunity for exhibitors, delegates and businesses to connect, discuss topics stemming from ASMEX and set a positive and proactive tone for the remaining three days of the Show."

Mark Richards, CEO of Grand Banks, founder of Palm Beach Motor Yachts and legendary skipper of Wild Oats XI, has been confirmed as keynote speaker for the event, which will be attended by local government representatives, dignitaries, industry leaders, local business operators and key exhibitors.

In his 30 years in the boating business, Mark Richards has experienced the highs and lows of running an export company, creating a new paradigm with the sale of PBMY to Grand Banks in 2014.

These days, he spends much of his time in Malaysia, overseeing production of the Grand Banks range and still personally directing production of the hand-crafted PBMY vessels which continue to be made on the NSW Central Coast.

Mr Richards, known throughout the industry and sailing fraternity as "Ricko", will be discussing several topics at the event including the realities of local manufacturing, exporting, managing the costs and the exciting potential of the new-world of robotics and automation in boat building.

"We are doing a lot of cool stuff in the high-end automation area and building techniques to stay competitive and ahead of the curve," Mr Richards said.

Also of interest to a majority of the audience will be Ricko's plans for the 2018 Rolex Sydney Hobart, and a season of sailing ahead of the big one on Boxing Day.

"Wild Oats XI will compete in the Sydney Gold Coast Race, Brisbane Keppel, and Hamilton Island Race Week. There will be five 100-footers in the Sydney Southport (Gold Coast) Race, which starts 28 July. That must be something of a record," he said.

With a dizzying schedule, and stamina to match, CEO, boat builder and proud grandfather of three (with a fourth on the way) Ricko is embracing what he calls an extremely exciting chapter in his life.

"I spend about 70 per cent of my time in Malaysia, 20 percent in the US and the rest in Australia," he said.

Over three decades, SCIBS has proudly played host to more than 10,000 exhibitors and welcomed more than 1.4 million visitors through the gates, resulting in an economic impact of more than $3 billion to the region in accommodation, spend and investment.

Every year SCIBS delivers a comprehensive marine trade display that showcases the latest in industry innovation, attracting international, national and local boating brands and businesses.

Tickets to the Industry Trade Breakfast offer guests a great value for money experience at SCIBS, with one-day entry to the Boat Show (Friday 25th May) and complimentary parking included in the event ticket price.

For more information, or to purchase tickets to the 2018 Industry Trade Breakfast, please visit www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au/trade-breakfast

Tickets for the 30th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show are now on sale at www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au.

Running May 24 to 27, 2018 the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show attracts more than 40,000 visitors and 300 exhibitors to a spectacular showcase featuring hundreds of boats and thousands of marine products across four days.

SCIBS offers FREE park 'n' ride services from Warner Bros. Movie World, along with limited on-site parking, available pre-paid.