One show for yachting industry?
Network Publications, the organisers of last September's successful boat show at the Excelsior Hotel, has promised to consider incentives such as more attractive prices for stands in an effort to make the next Valletta Boat Show truly representative of...
Network Publications, the organisers of last September's successful boat show at the Excelsior Hotel, has promised to consider incentives such as more attractive prices for stands in an effort to make the next Valletta Boat Show truly representative of the whole yachting sector.
Managing director John Formosa and show manager George Papagiorcopulo recently met representatives of the industry in an attempt to take on board the interests of both the chandlers and retailers, and yacht importers.
Chandlers and retailers have until now opted for a boat show in spring, when boat owners begin to think about kitting themselves out for the season.
Because of the longer delivery times, however, boat importers need a show in September if they are to fulfil orders by spring - and the fact that so many boats are out of the water in March means they might find it harder to find show boats. For more than a decade, this meant that separate shows were held in various places, resulting in dwindling interest from both the public and exhibitors.
It also meant that none of the shows ever built up momentum, in spite of the potential for an international boat show in the Mediterranean, the closest alternative being the Genoa show in October.
It seemed as though the industry was again going to be faced with two shows when the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC), the organisers of the Powerboat P1, started to moot the idea of combining a boat show at the Deep Water Quay to coincide with the international races this June. However, a June boat show would probably have been too late for boat importers and it has now been agreed that next year's Powerboat P1 will be held in September.
This means that the boat show will this year again be organised by Network Publications in September but the location of future shows is still in question. The Excelsior was ideal as the marina was available but with the hotel now operating, it might be harder for it to make enough space available in years to come.
Mr Formosa explained that there were other long-term options which would provide a permanent base for the boat show, which would enable it to grow with time.
"One option is the Deep Water Quay, operated by Valletta Gateway Terminals. That has two problems: shelter for boats in case of a gregale and the fact that the quay itself is high as it was designed for bigger vessels.
"The other option is the menqa at Flagstone Wharf, which would require some upgrading but would provide enough space both on land and on the water, as well as being central with sufficient parking, and sheltered from the gregale."
It is now up to the organisers to make retailers and chandlers an offer they cannot refuse.
"People who want a dinghy or a runabout - such as those built locally - will see something and buy it, unlike a bigger yacht that they would think about for some time. And people only start thinking about boat equipment once their new boat has arrived or they start using their existing boat at the start of the season.
"If you sold an outboard in September, the guarantee would be half expired by the time the new owner gets to use it! So for us, March or April would be the best.
"We would have to see the show not in terms of selling but in terms of marketing. But this means that the participation price would have to compete with the cost of direct advertising," retailers said.
Managing director John Formosa and show manager George Papagiorcopulo recently met representatives of the industry in an attempt to take on board the interests of both the chandlers and retailers, and yacht importers.
Chandlers and retailers have until now opted for a boat show in spring, when boat owners begin to think about kitting themselves out for the season.
Because of the longer delivery times, however, boat importers need a show in September if they are to fulfil orders by spring - and the fact that so many boats are out of the water in March means they might find it harder to find show boats. For more than a decade, this meant that separate shows were held in various places, resulting in dwindling interest from both the public and exhibitors.
It also meant that none of the shows ever built up momentum, in spite of the potential for an international boat show in the Mediterranean, the closest alternative being the Genoa show in October.
It seemed as though the industry was again going to be faced with two shows when the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC), the organisers of the Powerboat P1, started to moot the idea of combining a boat show at the Deep Water Quay to coincide with the international races this June. However, a June boat show would probably have been too late for boat importers and it has now been agreed that next year's Powerboat P1 will be held in September.
This means that the boat show will this year again be organised by Network Publications in September but the location of future shows is still in question. The Excelsior was ideal as the marina was available but with the hotel now operating, it might be harder for it to make enough space available in years to come.
Mr Formosa explained that there were other long-term options which would provide a permanent base for the boat show, which would enable it to grow with time.
"One option is the Deep Water Quay, operated by Valletta Gateway Terminals. That has two problems: shelter for boats in case of a gregale and the fact that the quay itself is high as it was designed for bigger vessels.
"The other option is the menqa at Flagstone Wharf, which would require some upgrading but would provide enough space both on land and on the water, as well as being central with sufficient parking, and sheltered from the gregale."
It is now up to the organisers to make retailers and chandlers an offer they cannot refuse.
"People who want a dinghy or a runabout - such as those built locally - will see something and buy it, unlike a bigger yacht that they would think about for some time. And people only start thinking about boat equipment once their new boat has arrived or they start using their existing boat at the start of the season.
"If you sold an outboard in September, the guarantee would be half expired by the time the new owner gets to use it! So for us, March or April would be the best.
"We would have to see the show not in terms of selling but in terms of marketing. But this means that the participation price would have to compete with the cost of direct advertising," retailers said.