Good prospects for boot Düsseldorf 2015: the world’s leading trade event in the yachting and water sports industry will be filling the 17 halls of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre to capacity from 17 to 25 January.
More than 1,700 exhibitors from 57 countries will present themselves on 213,000 square metres of exhibition space, featuring premieres of boats and new equipment for all disciplines in water sports, from fishing rods to luxury yachts. Some 1,700 boats and yachts will be moored in the big harbour at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre.
While many European markets are still navigating through troubled waters, boot Düsseldorf has become firmly established as the most important trade show and driving economic force of the industry.
Growing demand for exhibition space in almost all product worlds, a highly international product line structure with numerous innovations and new forward-looking subject areas are the hallmarks of the show.
“boot Düsseldorf is continuing the successful development of the last years. We are expecting to see a new peak in exhibitors’ numbers and a 2.5 per cent increase or approximately 2,400 more square metres in exhibition space”, says Messe Düsseldorf President & CEO Werner Matthias Dornscheidt. “What gives us wind in our sails is above all the boat industry.
For export-focused manufacturers of boats and yachts there is no alternative to Düsseldorf, which is situated at the very centre of this European region with the greatest economic and purchasing power.”
The German water sports market continues to be the bright spot internationally. Stable demand has ensured a positive mood among manufacturers and dealers of maritime goods and services, who, according to the German Water Sports Industry Association (BVWW) in Cologne, expect sales gains of 3 per cent for the coming year.
Boats and yachts “Made in Germany” were excellently positioned in fiscal year 2013/14, both in Germany and in export markets. “New models and affordable entry-level options facilitate new-boat buying and generate the momentum the market needs”, says BVWW Managing Director Jürgen Tracht. In Germany demand for powerboats is enjoying a major tailwind thanks to a new regulation that permits boats of up to 15 HP (11 kW) to be driven without a license.
Once again this year, boot exhibitors are bringing a wealth of innovative products and boating ideas to Düsseldorf and have made boot their most important premiere show. Companies have announced over 100 premieres of boats and yachts, including 22 world premieres. The upshot for visitors: anyone wanting to make purchases or place orders can obtain a representative overview of the world market and all its innovative boats, yachts and water sports equipment and can be certain to receive great service and excellent value for money.
About 850 international participants are set to create a global brand diversity in all the various segments. Every other exhibitor now comes from outside Germany. The country with the largest number of international exhibitors is the Netherlands, followed by Italy, France and the UK. National shows will be presented by, among others, France, the Netherlands, Poland and – for the first time – Estonia.
The heart of boot Düsseldorf beats in the altogether nine halls dedicated to yachtsmen, powerboat enthusiasts and captains of small boats. Here 450 boatbuilders, dealers and importers are set to display an unrivalled indoor boat parade, ranging from canoes and jollies to superyachts and vintage vessels.
There’s been a small but important change to the hall layout in this segment. Steel yachts, a Dutch specialty, will receive an exclusive platform in Hall 17, which will be known as the Holland Hall from now on.
boot Düsseldorf has gained a major reputation for bringing luxury superyachts inside its halls. Whether it’s Azimut, Ferretti, Princess, Sanlorenzo, Sunseeker or Riva: all the big names in the world of superyachts will be represented in Hall 6.
Especially Princess and Sunseeker are featuring a wide range of models and are setting standards in size by offering yachts which are 30 and 26 metres in length. The biggest sailing yachts can be viewed in Hall 16. As before, a UK yacht is clearly in the lead – the 25-metre Oyster 82, followed by a 20-metre yacht from the traditional Swedish shipbuilding company Hallberg Rassy.
350 international exhibitors in Halls 10, 11 and 12 will be showing everything that is either required or possible in order to freshen up a boat or to increase its comfort: on-board electronics, engines and accessories. Functional clothing and marina equipment complete the range of offerings in those halls.
The maritime Travel Market is getting a promising addition in the cruise segment, the new Cruise Pavilion in Hall 14. Here, on 300 square metres of exhibition space, TUI will present itself in partnership with nine shipping companies, providing information about the ships and their routes.
Hall 3 – the scuba-diving hall – is fully booked. Several leading suppliers of the industry have expanded their presentations. As well as featuring the Philippines, Indonesia and Turkey, 2015 will be the first year when Fuerteventura, Greece and Jordan have their own pavilions as scuba-diving destinations. All the famous diving instructors will be there. Altogether approximately 370 exhibitors from all ends of the earth are expected at the world’s biggest consumer show in scuba diving.
Last but not least, the motto and hallmark of boot Düsseldorf is of course still at the heart of the trade fair: Experience 360° Water Sports! While it’s cold and wintry outside, this trade fair gives visitors a great opportunity to anticipate the joys of water sports in the summer.
Visitors can look forward to 20 theme and adventure worlds, including a Beach World, a Sailing Centre and five action centres with indoor pools, scuba-diving pools and small and wide artificial rivers. Nearly all water sports disciplines can be tried out: sailing, diving, stand-up paddle surfing, wakeboarding, canoeing and fishing.
boot Düsseldorf 2015 is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Further details and entrance tickets are available on the web portal www.boot.de.
