Helsinki International Boat Show Vene 24 Båt, which ended on Sunday 18 February, attracted over 57,000 boaters, water enthusiasts and fishers to the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
The visitors were there with a serious purpose, and there was active trade in both the boat, equipment and accessory halls. This year’s boat show faced exceptionally many challenges, including the presidential election weekend and public transportation strikes. Nevertheless, the overall atmosphere at the boat show was sunny, and participants were satisfied with the event. The Vene 24 Båt Show was arranged from 9 February to 18 February 2024 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
The Vene 24 Båt Show featured the participation of 314 companies, and the event filled all the downstairs halls of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The boat show had a larger exhibition space area than the previous year, with 400 boats on display. Even this year, after the boat show closed, the boats sounded their horns as a signal of departure. Boat sales proceeded at a similar pace as the previous year, so many boats at the exhibition found a new homeport. The boat show marks the beginning of spring and provides momentum for boat sales.
”This year, boaters came with shopping lists. Those who only come to spend time at the boat show were missing, and the reason for this can surely be attributed to the strikes that unfortunately coincided with the boat show. Public transportation strikes occurred from Monday to Thursday, the weather charts showed red warnings, and traffic congestion occurred in many places. The presidential elections on the Sunday of the first weekend also affected the attendance. Despite all of this, there were customers at the boat show who purchased both boats and accessories. Boats of all sizes have found buyers. The most important reason for coming to the boat show is to purchase boating accessories and equipment, and these sold well. This year, fly fishing was showcased for the first time in the fishing section, and it attracted a lot of interest from anglers,” says Jarkko Pajusalo, Managing Director of Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat ry. “The tight economic situation continues to impact boat sales, but the boat show demonstrated that there is already light at the end of the tunnel.”
The boat show awakens the boating season in February
Otto Brandt presented Faster, Silver, Terhi and TG boats, among others, at the Vene 24 Båt Show. The new Silver Seahawk BRX, CCX and Cabin as well as Terhi 480 Cabin were launched at the show. Markku Hämäläinen, Group CEO of Oy Otto Brandt Ab, considers the boat show a highly successful event. “Sales have been on average at the same level as last year. It is clear that people have come to the show with the intention to make purchases. Many offers have been made and deals have already been concluded at the stand. Boat shows are a good place to launch new boats, and we are pleased with the visibility and interest generated by the new Silver and Terhi boats. Other models have also sold well.”
Sleipner Motor presented, among other things, bow and side propellers, as well as anchor winches, at the boat show. The majority of the products are sold to boat manufacturers. “There have been more buying customers at the boat show this year than before, and the sales through our distributors have clearly increased from last year. In my opinion, this reflects the fact that many are investing more in new boat accessories,” says Kalle Nyman, Country Manager at Sleipner Motor. “We have made many offers and made direct sales through our distributors, so we are satisfied and will certainly participate in the boat show next year again.”
This year, fly fishing was introduced to the fishing area at the boat show. Joonas Oksanen, the founder of Ruoto Oy, considers this development trend as positive and promises to bring fly fishing-related equipment to future shows, if space allows. “This year we focused especially on pike-perch, perch, pike and sea trout casting. Anglers showed interest in the selection, and sales have been good. If it is possible to expand the stand next year, all fishing sub-areas and brands will be included,” says Oksanen.
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre arranged the largest boating event in Northern Europe Vene 24 Båt Helsinki International Boat Show from 9 February to 18 February 2024 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre commissioned by Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat ry. Next year, the Vene 25 Båt Show is arranged from 7 February to 16 February 2025 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The next public event arranged at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre is the Spring Fair and Local & Organic Food from 21 March to 24 March 2024 and the Golf Fair from 22 March to 24 March 2024.
