From 17 to 21 October, a boat show will be held at the exhibition centre in Hamburg. Until recently, this was a matter of course. But after the end of the traditional Hanseboot trade fair last autumn, speculation was rife - and it seemed unlikely that a new water sports show would open its doors at exactly this time in 2018. The organisers of a successor event had already aggressively positioned themselves at other locations.
The trade fair is supported by a remarkable cooperation between the German Boat and Shipbuilders' Association (DBSV), Messe Friedrichshafen and Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH, a "north-south alliance", as DBSV President Torsten Conradi says: "We have become active at the express request of the industry."
According to Conradi, the co-operation between the two trade fair companies and the boat builders' association will create a trio that "bundles experience and synergy effects". Almost 300 companies have already expressed their interest in the Hamburg Boat Show at this very early stage and want to present themselves at the new boat show. After 56 years, the Hanseboot had also failed due to a steady decline in exhibitors. As a result, its attractiveness declined and more and more visitors stayed away.
The new trade fair concept is also a starting signal for the "North-South Alliance" of the association and the trade fairs in Friedrichshafen and Hamburg. Interboot on Lake Constance is also set to benefit from the co-operation. "In future, we also want to show our colours more clearly in the south and use the synergy effects at both trade fairs," emphasises Torsten Conradi.
The plans are already at a concrete stage. The current plan is to occupy exhibition halls 5, 6 and 7, with access via the South Entrance. True to the motto "from the industry for the industry", the concept is being developed in close consultation with future exhibitors.
