4:45 AM Tue 26 May 2009 GMT
During the recent Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, several people threw the burning question at me - Who stages Australia's largest boat show, Sanctuary Cove or Sydney?
Depending on how much detail one demands, there is a relatively simple answer - in terms of exhibitor attendance, Sanctuary Cove is a clear winner; when it comes to visitor attendance it's Sydney by the length of the straight!
Organisation of both shows is markedly different.
Sanctuary Cove is owned by and staged by Sanctuary Cove, while the Sydney International is owned by and staged by that state's peak industry body, the Boating Industry Association of NSW.
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It could be said that Sanctuary Cove is private enterprise, Sydney is industry-owned.
Harry Davis, boat show manager (for all 21 exhibitions) for SCIBS, says Sanctuary Cove is unlikely to ever upstage the SIBS in terms of visitor attendance.
'The Sydney International has had crowds in excess of 90,000, double the best SCIBS has achieved, but we could never handle such an attendance, our entire infrastructure would probably collapse,' he said.
SCIBS regularly outstrips SIBS in exhibitor numbers.
This year, SCIBS attracted 409 exhibitors, a 100-plus in excess of SIBS.
Unfortunately for the Boating Industry Association of NSW, their 300 (approximately) exhibitors fill to overflowing the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre. Every year intending exhibitors are turned away due to lack of space.
For this reason, exhibitors are restricted to a 700 square metre maximum within the exhibition centre.
Domenic Genua, the association's marketing and event manager and a key man in the organisation of SIBS, says this restriction was imposed to enable the admission of as many association members as possible.
'The Boating Industry Association works for its members and its members own SIBS,' he explained.
'Financial members of the association are accommodated first wherever possible and for that reason we imposed the 700 square metre limit on floor space.'
Davis has never encountered that problem. 'We've never had anyone ask for a 700 square metre allocation', he said.
'I think we had an exhibitor take up 600 square metres last year, and as near as I can recall that's the largest single space we have ever allocated.'
Organisers of both exhibitions are very selective about exhibitors, regularly turning away non-marine related companies. However, while SIBS for obvious reasons gives preference to BIA of NSW members, SCIBS does not offer such preference to Marine Queensland members.
At SCIBS, provided the company is in the marina business, it's first in, best-dressed.
'I think quite a few of our exhibitors are members of their own specific organisation, like boat charter operations, naval architects and so forth, who simply aren't members of Marine Queensland,' Davis explained.
'If an intending exhibitor is a marine industry operator, he's in. The only companies we make an effort to give preference to are those who exhibit on a regular basis.'
SCIBS does on occasion allow brokerage vessels to be displayed on its marina.
SIBS is a tougher proposition.
'All boats displayed on the SIBS Cockle Bay Marina must be brand new,' Genua declared. 'We simply don't allow brokerage vessels into the show.'
Both venues have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to staging a major boat show.
Although SCIBS organisers say it 'works well', the lack of on-site parking definitely turns people away.
SIBS has the advantage in Darling Harbour being virtually surrounded by car parking stations, all within a few minutes walk of the main entrance. The fact that Darling Harbour is only a short downhill stroll from the very heart of Australia's largest city is another huge plus for SIBS.
Sanctuary Cove enjoys the advantage of being located on Queensland's prime tourist destination, the Gold Coast, and no doubt many visitors enjoying all the coast has to offer make it to the boat show.
As a born and bred 'Sydney boy', SIBS and Darling Harbour will always be a special place for me.
However, now I am a contented resident of the Gold Coast, I have been fortunate enough to attend all 21 SCIBS and I'll be at Darling Harbour come July 30.
Which show is the biggest and best?
Who cares, the bottom line is that the Australian marine industry is indeed fortunate in having two such world class exhibitions to promote its world class products.
In closing, here's a minor coincidence you may not be aware of - 2009 was the 21st SCIBS and 2009 will be the 21st SIBS held at Darling Harbour.
by Bob Wonders
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Macquarie Island, TAS
