The Barcelona Boat Show’s offering is growing, with more boats in both the land-based and floating exhibition areas

The excellent progress of sales just three months away from the event allows us to forecast that the 2017 edition of the Barcelona Boat Show, organised by Fira de Barcelona, will grow in terms of both its offering and activities, and we expect to exceed 260 exhibitors and 670 boats on display. So far many of the most important companies in the sector have confirmed their participation, including Beneteau, Jeanneau, CNB-Lagoon, Marina Estrella, Sunseeker, Touron, Yamaha and Zodiac.

According to the show’s president, Luis Conde, ‘this year the event is consolidating its upward trend, reflecting the signs of recovery in the sector as a whole. This reinforces its role as the leading commercial platform for the nautical sector in Spain and the best possible tool for promoting a greater interest in sailing and nautical sports. According to a survey of exhibitors conducted by the show in 2016, more than 50 % of the annual sales of this sector in Spain are generated at the show.’

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the National Association of Nautical Companies (ANEN), Carlos Sanlorenzo, said that ‘the nautical market has been growing at a moderate pace since January, with good results in May and June, which allows us to forecast another positive season for the sector. In the first six months of 2017, recreational boat registrations grew by 13 % and renting has become established as a trend in recreational sailing, with 35.4 % more registrations for boats for rental purposes than the previous year. This would be the ideal time for the public authorities to implement some kind of fiscal support measures for the sector to incentivise consumption in the nautical sector, both nationally and internationally, in view of the excellent tourist season on the horizon.’

A showcase of new products

The extensive exhibition area and number of activities planned for this year ‘even further underlines Barcelona Boat Show’s positioning as the leading event of its kind in Spain and one of the top ones in Europe, the only place to do business, discover the latest new products, try out boats and enjoy a multitude of sea-related activities,’ contends the event’s director, JordiFreixas.

The show, which will occupy the wharves of España and La Fusta in the Port Vell complex, will have a floating exhibition area for boats of over 8 metres long, most notably a big fleet of catamarans, with 20 examples in the water in the biggest floating display in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. On land, the exhibition area will feature smaller boats and inflatables and the latest in electronics, engines, paints, sails, trailers, charters and nautical services.

Innovation, enterprise and business

Following on from the success of the first edition, the Seminars for Entrepreneurs and Start-ups will be held once again this year and extended to every day of the show. This initiative, which is being rolled out in collaboration with ANEN, reveals the innovative projects designed for the nautical world and includes networking sessions, an exhibition area and an investment forum.

On the professional side, an agenda of business meetings is being organised to promote new contacts and business deals between exhibitors and visitors, and there will also be seminars, conferences, round tables, presentations of regattas and trophies, prize-giving ceremonies, etc. taking place in the Espai del Mar area.

Recreational ideas for enjoying the sea

The Boat Show will once again be a focal point of fun and experiences for nautical enthusiasts and people interested in getting started in this world. Numerous activities are being organised to showcase the numerous ways of enjoying the sea.

In the Fun Beach area there will be a test zone with access to the sea for practising dinghy sailing, kayaking and paddle surf. There are also plans to hold another edition of the Barcelona SUP Festival, a get-together for paddle surf fans who can practice their sport in the waters of Port Vell. Another key area is the Traditional Sailing zone featuring an exhibition of classic sailboats which is also the venue for workshops and activities for the whole family.

One of the stand-out activities at the show is Nautical Night (Friday 13 October) which includes ‘Swim Night & Kayak’ (an exhibition of swimmers, escorted by kayaks, in the waters of the port) which will be enlivened by parties on the exhibitors’ stands, live music, fashion shows and tasting sessions.

Once again this year the show will be making a point of promoting gastronomy, for which it will be supported by the One Ocean Club restaurant, the Nautic Food Plaza and the Nautic Village by The Cooluxury (a chillout zone and tasting sessions of gourmet products).

High loyalty levels among exhibitors and visitors

The Barcelona Boat Show, which enjoys the support of ANEN, is a founding member of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO) and continues to serve as an international benchmark. The 2016 Report on the show, put together by Fira de Barcelona’s Communications and Studies department, emphasises the high level of loyalty and satisfaction shown by exhibitors and visitors alike.

According to the study, 84.4 % of exhibitors had already attended the show on previous occasions, while 68.8 % confirmed they had achieved their objectives in taking part and 74.4 % said they would be exhibiting again in 2017. With regard to visitors, 81 % said they were satisfied with their visit and 90 % said they would be back again for the next event.