boot 2007 launches in ship shape

The International Boat Show, boot 2007 in Düsseldorf, set sail with fully booked halls in all of its product segments. From 20 to 28 January 2007, 1,650 exhibitors set up shop in 17 exhibition halls, equivalent to 220,000 square metres of floor space.

38th staging of boot Düsseldorf
Greater international reach, an increase in the size of stands booked and exhibitor numbers that have stabilised at the top level are the three factors that characterise the 38th staging of boot Düsseldorf. Especially the exhibitors from outside Germany have once again upped their commitment to boot Düsseldorf and expanded their stand sizes. With 106,000 net square metres of space occupied, the fair is steaming towards a new record!

55 countries represented
The spectrum of exhibitor nationalities participating in boot 2007 also promises a wider panorama of the world's yachting and watersports market than ever seen before. The figures show 55 countries represented. Almost half of the net floor space serves as a platform for the 650 international exhibitors. All of the major shipbuilding nations from France, Italy, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands and Northern European nations to the USA and Gulf states are on board. The biggest international contingent comes from the Netherlands with 150 yards, suppliers and service providers, followed by Italy with 80 participations, France with 60 and the UK with 30 exhibitors.

Boat and yacht segment
In the boat and yacht segment, 400 international yards, dealers and importers spread across ten exhibition halls provide a seamless product overview comprising some 2,000 types of vessel - so there's definitely something for everyone. The sea of boats is complemented by a first-rate range of boat equipment, electronics, engines, accessories and high-quality functional clothing as well as marina equipment, courtesy of 450 exhibitors.

Large-sized yachts
At international level, sales in large yachts and those related to the building of large yachts continue to flourish. Hall 6, the home to large-sized yachts, features 70 vessels of 20 to 30 meters in length this year. The Superyacht Show has had another growth spurt. Aside from occupying Hall 7a, the show also spills over into an additional area on the ground floor of Hall 7. At information stands, eighty yards, engineers, designers and industry-specific suppliers flaunt their skills in building large yachts and superyachts. Among them will be joint presentations from Germany, France and Denmark.

German watersports industry optimistic
The German watersports industry is optimistic about boot 2007. Jürgen Tracht, head of the Bundesverband Wassersportwirtschaft (Federal Association of the Watersports Industry - BWVS) predicts an increase in sales this year of five to six percent. "The economy has turned the corner and the same can be said of our industry,” commented Tracht. Over 80 percent of German companies active in the watersports business have a positive outlook on economic developments in the medium term. In 2006, sales of maritime products and services climbed by more than four percent.

Source: Messe Düsseldorf