News

BEST SHOW ATTENDANCE SINCE 2004

Monday 19 Oct 2009

The crowds and weather turned out for last weekend’s annual Waikato Boat, Fishing & Leisure Show at Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton. The three day marine event boasted record attendance with close to 13,000 through the gate, resulting in the highest attendance since 2004.

The only event of its type in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty this year, the Waikato Boat, Fishing & Leisure Show featured over 120 quality exhibitors, industry related clubs, expert forums and a variety of compelling demonstrations and competitions. Sites bustled throughout the weekend with visitors keen to see the latest marine craft and equipment and take advantage of competitive show offers.

Event organisers; a joint venture committee comprising of the Marine Industry Association and Mystery Creek Events Centre, were thrilled with the significant visitor turn out confirming the benefits gained through only one industry exhibition in the region. Exhibitor confidence was apparent early on in this year’s show development, given that presence at an exclusive regional exhibition allowed operators to devote their investment to just one trade event.

Despite the challenging period, boat and fishing enthusiasts weren’t shy in opening their wallets with a number of considerable purchases made; from modest equipment to luxury craft. When approached, several visitors remarked they had come to the Waikato Boat, Fishing & Leisure Show in search of typically generous show deals, of which they found many. Others commented they were there out of curiosity, enjoying a day out and browsing the latest gear on the market.

This year the show saw the introduction of a culinary exhibition space, ‘The Fisherman’s Basket’, an invention display area ‘Innovation Court’, and a variety of amusing contests. The new additions proved popular with the public, providing a dynamic enhancement to the event.

Visitors to the Waikato Boat, Fishing & Leisure Show were given the chance to participate in three show competitions, with winners announced on Sunday. Debbie Wiseman was the lucky recipient of the Mondo Travel tropical holiday, the ‘Hook, Stamp & Sinker’ prize package went to Patricia Sutherland, and Bob Franks was rewarded for his vote in the ‘Peoples Choice Boat of the Show’.

Exhibitors also competed in two competitions; the ‘Best Site Awards’ and ‘Peoples Choice Boat of the Show’. Congratulations to the site award category winners; Best large Pacific Ocean Pavilion site, Andrew Fink Marine; Best small Pacific Ocean Pavilion site, Canoe & Kayak; Best Tasman Sea Pavilion site, Fishing 4 Less; Best Outdoor site, Get Wet; and best Think Tank site, Mighty River Power. During the event, the public voted for their favourite boat of the show, with Everyman Boats on PO25 winning by a country mile.

During the show visitors were surveyed, the results will provide exhibitors and the JV committee with crucial feedback to enhance and improve their experience. Exhibitors will also be surveyed to ensure the event continues to meet their needs and add value to their business. Organisers of the Waikato Boat, Fishing & Leisure Show agree they would have been unable to bring an event of this calibre to the region without the enormous support of the industry and their generous sponsors; Radio Hauraki, Radio Sport, Boating NZ, NZ Fishing News, Mondo Travel Chartwell, Jack Links, Viking Kayaks, Buff NZ, Special FX Limited, Maverix Rods, Tristram Marine, Para Rubber, Fishing 4 Less and Hamilton Party Hire.