Impressions INTERBOOT
Water sports are fun in any business climate. In talks with the 510 exhibitors at INTERBOOT 2009, many of them have reported a successful business experience. Despite this year’s economically stormy seas, the water sports trade fair managed to stay on course and deliver positive results. INTERBOOT welcomed 93,800 visitors on board for its nine-day excursion (compared to 92,700 in 2008). As many as 35,000 visitors streamed into the INTERBOOT Harbor in beautiful weather to enjoy the sporting events on Lake Constance, while tens of thousands more watched along the waterfront.
"We began with the aim of awakening interest in the pleasure of water sports and to spread some joy in these difficult economic times. From our point of view, we were completely successful. In fact, we’re even able to report a slight increase in attendance over last year," says Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann. "Above all, the testing facilities in the INTERBOOT Harbor once again attracted a great deal of interest," added Project Director Dirk Kreidenweiss. This is confirmed by Brunswick dealer Siegfried Schnur: "The testing harbor on Lake Constance is very valuable to us. Our customers really appreciate it, since it helps them in their purchasing decisions."
INTERBOOT is an important contact and sales platform for exhibiting companies. Sebastian Schmidt, CEO of Segeln Sport Resch and Bénéteau dealer had this to say: "The INTER BOOT 2009 race was great. We're very happy with it! Our 54-Bénéteau was an absolute magnet at our booth. There was a lot of purchasing interest expressed, particularly for this model.” Stephan Bayerle, Sales Director of South Bavaria Yachts, was also very satisfied: "With our two premieres, the 32-foot and 55-foot cruisers, we have had two eye-catchers at our booth. In the course of the trade fair, it became evident that the overall economic situation is improving. We’re using the period of the crisis to prepare ourselves for the recovery and to present new models. This is reflected in the success of our 32-footer, and it’s filled our order books."
This year, the media and visitors paid special attention to boats with alternative propulsion systems. Bruno Hausammann, CEO of Hausammann Caravans & Boats AG and Swiss importer of Jeanneau products, present the world premiere Seaway Greenline 33 Hybrid Solar. "The interest in this boat has been enormous. We we’ve been literally swamped with visitors from ten in the morning to six in the evening. And we’ve already completed two sales at the booth."
Some 35,000 water sport fans streamed into the INTERBOOT Harbor. The Liquid Quarter Mile powerboat competition along with the Thundercat and wakeboarder demonstration shows drew tens of thousands more spectators to the waterfront. "Our approach to inspiring new interest in water sports has been a complete success. The youth camp was sold out faster than ever before, and the diving pool welcomed its 1,000 prospective new diver. The new wakeboarding facility on Exhibition Lake was a big hit. All eyes were on the wakeboarders, even well after the trade fair had closed," reported Kreidenweiss. Even in the halls, the concept has born its first fruit: "It seems to me that the average age of visitors has fallen. We’re seeing a lot of interested visitors at the booths between the ages of 30 and 50," observed David Clavadetscher, Director of the Swiss Boat Builders Association.
The next INTERBOOT trade fair will take place in Friedrichshafen from 18 to 26 September 2010.