Expo heralds a buoyant start to the 2013 summer boating season

Held at the home of Riviera, the 3rd annual Gold Coast International Marine Expo has been hailed a huge success by Marine industry leaders, many of who have recorded the best sales results at a boat show in years.

The not-for-profit Expo has been described as ‘breathing life back into the marine industry' and since its inception in 2011 has provided a real boost to the boating industry.

With more than 200 exhibitors, over 600 boats on display on both the land and in the water, and an expanded 3km exhibitor display circuit, Expo is certainly one of the major boating attractions on the Australian boat show calendar and is expected to grow again in 2014.

The perfect sunny days marked a great start to the summer boating season and the warm Queensland 30 degree heat that just makes you want to go boating attracted 21, 326 visitors to Riviera's state-of-the-art Coomera facility from around Australia and New Zealand over the three-day event.

Riviera chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst said the Expo provided Riviera with a unique opportunity to open its factory doors to the community and showcase Australia's favourite and most awarded luxury boating brand.

"The Gold Coast International Marine Expo was a very positive show for Riviera and a great opportunity for us to show the public first-hand how our luxury boats are constructed," Mr Longhurst said.

"Our team of dedicated master craftsmen conducted hands-on seminars to give people a behind the scenes look at what we do at the home of Riviera.

"The Expo truly enhances Riviera's philosophy to create the ultimate boating experience and we always welcome everyone on board to inspect our luxury boats.

"We are very proud of our facility and our world class boats and it was great to see boats of all shapes and sizes and hundreds of marine products on our doorstep.

"Most of our Riviera owners discovered boating in a small trailer boats before purchasing a larger luxury Riviera cruiser, so the Expo gives us a fantastic platform to showcase the Riviera dream to more than 21,000 people over the three day event."

Exhibitor numbers were up on the previous year and the Expo site was expanded by 30 per cent to meet the growing demand. There were also a number of new attractions and live entertainment every 15 minutes including, the Expo High Divers presented by JSW Powersports, the Club Marine cooking show with Bart Beek, the Coomera Cup kayaking race, the new 2000sq m Family Zone, Sea World Research and Rescue Boat Tour, factory tours, workshops, presentations and seminars entertained the massive crowds with a kaleidoscope of activities.

Gold Coast International Marine Expo spokeswoman, Emma Milne, said the results from this year's Expo reflected the positive response from marine industry leaders and the strong community spirit.

"We are extremely proud of how quickly Expo has grown in three years. The growing support of this community focused event was recognised this year with the Queensland Premier Campbell Newman officially opening the 2013 Expo," Emma said.

"The gold coin entry donation and funds raised during the Expo will be given directly back to our four charities, the Rotary Club of Coomera River, Paradise Kids, the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Rescue Service and Sailability.

"We had almost 100 volunteers from the Rotary Club of Coomera River and Sailability assisting us with Expo and we can't thank them enough for their continued support over the past three years. Without their support, Expo would not be possible.

"There was such a positive attitude from exhibitors and Expo visitors who were impressed with the high quality entertainment, food, the Family Zone and the action-packed line up of attractions, which made Expo a great day out for the entire family.

"I would like to thank the Expo team and committee for all their hard work, all of whom volunteered their time so willingly to make this year's Expo the success that it was. The Expo is a real team effort and I am honoured to be a part of this special team of people.

"We have announced the dates for the 2014 Gold Coast International Marine Expo, which will be held on October 31, November 1, and 2."

For more information about the 2013 Gold Coast International Marine Expo, contact the Expo office on 0447 758 884 or emilne@gcmarineexpo.com.au or www.gcmarineexpo.com.au

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