boot in Dusseldorf, which kicks off this coming Saturday, will boast greater international reach than ever before. Between 19 and 27 January 2008, the 39th staging of the International Boat Show will feature 1,700 exhibitors and their yachts, boats, equipment for all watersports and maritime services in 17 halls. International business has reached record levels - 750 non-German exhibitors, almost 100 more than last year, have signed on for boot this year. As far as the total number of exhibitors goes, Messe Düsseldorf has recorded its second best figure ever. Only in 2001 were the halls filled with more exhibitors.
The German yacht and watersports industry is looking forward to boot with great optimism. "We are expecting an increase in sales of three to five percent," commented Jürgen Tracht, head of the Cologne-based Bundesverband Wassersportwirtschaft (Federal Association of the Watersports Industry - BVWW).
The upbeat mood in the industry outside Germany and upturn in the domestic economy has acted as a powerful spur to demand for stand space at boot 2008. With 107,000 square metres of floor space available and all the halls booked to capacity, Messe Düsseldorf has also achieved a new record in the amount of exhibition space rented out. Exhibitors of yachts and boats in particular have once again expanded the scope of their stands.
Thanks to the wide spectrum of nationalities participating, the exhibitors offer a more representative overview of the world market than ever before. Statistics indicate companies will arrive from 57 countries. All of the major boatbuilding nations from France, Italy, the UK, Spain and the Netherlands through the Northern European countries to the USA and Gulf states are on board. The biggest exhibitor contingent from outside Germany will be the 150 Dutch shipyards, equipment suppliers and service providers, followed by the 102 Italian participants and 65 French exhibitors. Substantial increases in the number of Spanish and Turkish companies (35 each) as well as Polish and American exhibitors (20 direct participations) are lined up.
Once again in 2008, suppliers of boats and yachts will form the biggest exhibitor segment. Sailing and motorised boats and yachts alone will occupy nine halls. Four hundred international yards and dealers will invite visitors to take a tour of the world's big brands and names. Almost half of the total exhibition space has been reserved for this product category.
Sailing is a sport with the wind behind it. To meet the strong demand for stand space, the roughly 150 companies showcasing sailing boats and yachts will spill over from their traditional home in Halls 16 and 17 into Hall 2 as well.
Anyone interested in motorboats and yachts won't want to miss out on boot in Düsseldorf! The 250 exhibitors spread across Halls 6, 10 to 12, 15, 7 and 7a will offer a selection of vessels ranging from motorised inflatables to superyachts worth millions.
The focus in the world of motorised boats is, however, on more affordable models. What's more, the range of small to medium-sized boats has grown substantially. And notably in this line of products, there will be a host of premieres unveiled. Buyers of boats produced in dollar regions will benefit particularly from the strong euro.
A segment with a relatively small number of potential customers but one that is nevertheless a flourishing high earner is the business surrounding large yachts and building large yachts. There's no question that the name boot Düsseldorf carries weight in this exclusive world. The proof is in the record number of 45 yachts that arrived in Düsseldorf by water this year. Some 70 yachts ranging in size from 20 to 31 metres will drop anchor in Hall 6 alone.
The Superyacht Show boot Düsseldorf is also enjoying ongoing growth and will be expanding beyond Hall 7a into the ground floor of Hall 7, too. Plans, models and drawings will be displayed at the information stands of 130 leading representatives from this exclusive segment, including shipyards, engineers, designers and industry-relevant equipment suppliers.
The unparalleled showcase of boats and yachts in Düsseldorf will be rounded out in Halls 1, 4, 5 and 9 by watersports equipment such as angling and surfing gear as well as high-grade products for boats - boat equipment, onboard electronics, engines, technical accessories, top-quality functional clothing as well as marina equipment. These product categories will feature 500 exhibitors.
At the Diving Show boot Düsseldorf, Europe's biggest consumer fair for diving, 370 companies will present technology and equipment for divers as well as diving destinations and bases all over the planet.
