Corynne Shepheard, one of more than 73,000 visitors to the show.Sydney International Boat Show closes on a high note

The Sydney International Boat Show drew to a close with increased attendance and improving sales – raising the spirits of the industry right across the board.
The Show provided a vital platform for the industry to showcase its quality, with exhibitors spanning power and sail boats, dinghies, deck equipment, charter holidays, sailing courses, chandlery and more.
Overall attendance at the Show was 73,158, 2% above that of 2009, which is a fantastic result considering the challenging economic conditions. The Show’s success has been attributed to the excellent features, extensive education and entertainment, led by a strong adventurer theme which helped create a rich industry showcase.
On the whole, exhibitors have reported more interest and business than expected, with the majority cautiously optimistic about the results achieved. Some exhibitors had excellent results, Riviera reporting new boat sales with a total value in excess of $26 million.
“Sydney felt like the high times of four or five years ago. We had 300 people at our reception on Saturday evening and they were all really positive. There was no talk of the GFC,” said director Stephen Milne.
Sydney International Boat Show