The 56th edition of boot Düsseldorf is off to a brilliant start. It hosted an international media meeting on 5 September and presented its new campaign with the new faces to the media.
“For us, boot 2025 is the beginning of the future. Our new campaign meets water sports fans where they want to be: In, on or around the water. Active people and boaters show their enthusiasm for the sport and the fascination of their favorite element.
The new claim ‘We love water’ reflects this bond. It is simple, concise and suitable for all water sports fans and those who want to become one,” says director Petros Michelidakis, introducing the new boot Düsseldorf campaign. It also wants to convince people to respect the element of water and to take responsibility for even more sustainability.
Especially in today’s challenging times, it is important to support the industry with commitment and new ideas, says the trade fair.
The show’s new look was unveiled to the international press and watersports community on Thursday afternoon.
High-ranking guests were on board as speakers: German apnea diver Anna von Boetticher, Giovanna Vitelli, president of Italian yacht manufacturer Azimut, content creators Elena and Ben, who have dedicated themselves to vanlife, surfing and an Atlantic crossing, windsurfing pro Adam Sims, superyacht captain ‘Captain Boomies’, agency boss and patron of the arts Christian Boros, boot president Robert Marx, trade fair managing director Marius Berlemann and boot director Petros Michelidakis. The program was presented by the well-known German TV presenter Kristin Recke.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the new campaign with its faces – the new image of boot inspired the audience.
It presents people who are at the center of life and love their sport. The new boot claim, ‘We love water’, is therefore a logical consequence of the passion of the active participants for their sport. Michelidakis says: ‘We, water sports enthusiasts, whether we are sailors, motor boaters, divers or surfers, are united by our love for our element.
With ‘We love water’ we have found a motto that touches the heart of every water sports enthusiast.” The rousing song, naturally entitled ‘We love water’, was an invitation to sing and dance along.
On board were the campaign faces Giovanna (diving), Patrick and Liam (small motor and fishing boats), Max and Jelena (sailing), Astrid (kayaking), Paolo and Aurora (business and canoeing), Neilon (kiting), Elias (Allround Surfer), Jan (Wakeboard), Adam (Windsurfing), Alina (Wingfoiling), Florian and Marie (SUP), Daniel and Laura (Destination Seaside), Maia and Luca (Superboat), Captain Boomies and Nina-Marie (Superyacht).
It is already clear that the January show will be a milestone for the entire industry. And the figures speak for themselves: 16 halls packed with boats, yachts, boards, diving equipment and destination stands, 1,500 exhibitors from all over the world – including an Australian shipyard for the first time – and 220,000 square meters of exhibition space.
“This means that boot Düsseldorf has been the undisputed leader among the international water sports trade fairs for many years and will continue to hold this position in the future,” says the boot director.
What’s new at boot 2025?
boot Düsseldorf is committed to supporting and developing the entire industry. Younger target groups in particular are to be won over to the fascination of water sports in the coming years. This will be consistently implemented at the trade fair during the nine-day period from 18 to 26 January 2025.
Here are the details of what will be on offer:
Those who have always wanted to go sailing, young people or whole families who want to get on a boat together, will find the ‘Sailing Plaza’ and the ‘Sailing School’ in Hall 15.
Here you will get tips for beginners, advice on boats and cruising, and the chance to practice your first tacks in the sailing pool under the guidance of experienced sailing instructors.
Sailing professionals will also feel at home here, as the close partnership with clubs and class organisations actively supports regatta sailing. Our friendship with the German Sailing Association (DSV) is unique and it is very exciting and forward-looking to develop new ideas for sailing together,” enthuses Michelidakis.
The ‘Boating Plaza’, supported in cooperation with the German Motor Yacht Association (DMYV), invites motorboat fans to Hall 3. There will be information for newcomers on the different types of boats and engines, as well as on boat licence classes.
Exhibitors with motorboats and fishing boats will be grouped around the ‘Boating Plaza’ in the ‘Sportfishing Centre’. Of course, trade visitors who purchase a B2B ticket will also benefit from the services offered at the show: The exclusive Super Yacht Show Lounge in Hall 7a is the meeting place for the superyacht industry. There will also be time to network with exhibitors and experts at the many happy hours throughout the show.
Service at the heart of boot 2025
“We have launched a new promotion for newcomers: Anyone who obtains a German recreational boating licence from our partners the German Sailing Association (DSV), the Association of German Sport Boat Schools (VDS) and the German Motor Yacht Association (DMYV) between January 2024 and January 2025 will receive a free one-day ticket for boot 2025,” explains Michelidakis.
Interested parties can simply download a free booking confirmation from the ticket shop at boot.com. This can then be exchanged at the ticket counters for a valid day ticket when visiting boot.
The ticket shop for boot Düsseldorf 2025 will be open from 18 September and the almost 175,000 members of boot.club can look forward to a special offer. For the price of a day ticket of € 19.00 (boot.club members), they can visit boot 2025 on two days of the fair. Families in particular will benefit next year, as children up to the age of 12 will be admitted free of charge.
And in the cold Central European January, the free cloakroom service at all entrances is another guest-friendly service. “For all camping fans, especially surfers travelling with their van or camper, we are setting up a surf camp in our Caravan Center in car park P1.
The parking space there costs only € 25.00 per day”, says the boot director and adds: “We have also summarized all the important information about boot Düsseldorf 2025 in a newly developed trade fair app, so that everyone can plan their individual day’s visit on their smartphone”.
The world’s largest yacht and water sports fair
With more than 200,000 visitors from over 100 countries and 1,500 exhibitors on 220,000 square meters in Halls 1 to 17, boot Düsseldorf from 18 to 26 January 2025 is the world’s largest yacht and water sports fair. Both sailors and motor boaters will find a wide variety of boats, dinghies, superboats or luxury yachts.
The popular water sports of diving, surfing, kite surfing, stand up paddling, skimboarding or canoeing are available at boot in all facets and with the appropriate equipment.
Attractive stage programs with the stars of the scene, the latest trends and a high-caliber mix of workshops and hands-on activities, both for leisure sports enthusiasts and experts, make the fair unique worldwide. But marine conservation and innovative, sustainable technologies are also in focus at boot 2025.
In cooperation with the European Boating Industry (EBI), the blue innovation dock will offer a unique dialogue format with political, economic, technological and media expertise in Hall 10. In addition, two lighthouses for ocean protection will again be on board: The prestigious “ocean tribute” award with partners Prince Albert II. Foundation and German Ocean Foundation as well as the “love your ocean” campaign with its stand in Hall 11.
