10:37 PM Sun 21 Dec 2008 GMT
Negative industry gossip is nothing more than water off the proverbial duck's back as far as industry leader Barry Jenkins is concerned.
As president of the Australian Marine Industries Federation (AMIF) and Marine Queensland, Jenkins is well-placed to denounce talk of an industry in trouble.
Jenkins said he was regularly contacted by journalists seeking industry comments.
'I always ask them what they want to discuss,' he explained. 'If they're looking for bad news, I suggest they contact someone else, as far as I'm concerned the industry is looking ahead to a very bright future.'
Jenkins admits that some companies may well be 'hurting.' 'Nonetheless, sales have not dried up, it's a matter of effort breeding success and those who present a quality product in a quality manner will enjoy a profitable 2009,' he added.
A recent visitor to METS (Marine Equipment Trade Show) in Amsterdam, Jenkins said the Australian pavilion had been one of the best ever staged at the world's largest marine trade show.
'There were 1200 exhibitors all up and I know for a fact that many of the Australian exhibitors came away with solid orders, some expressing the 2008 METS was the best they had ever attended,' he declared.
Although no longer as closely involved as he has been in the past, Jenkins is keeping in touch with the day-to-day organisation for the 2009 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (May 21- 24).
Jenkins will adopt an 'ambassadorial role', concentrating on liaison with various government bodies, such as Austrade, and attracting various overseas industry groups to the show.
 | Mark Jensen, general manager of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. The spectacular aerial photo in the background shows the 2007 show which attracted a record 456 exhibitors. - Confident air at S.Cove - Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo |
Mark Jensen, Sanctuary Cove marketing and event manager, takes on the role as general manager of the boat show, with long-term show manager Harry Davis attending to exhibitor needs.
For Jensen, Sanctuary Cove, 2009, marks his first show; for Davis (and Sanctuary Cove) 2009 will be show #21.
Both men share Jenkins' confident outlook.
'We're not into worrying about the so-called global credit crunch,' Jensen declared.
'The preparations for the 2009 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show are in full swing and we can say here and now that it will be a show to remember.
'Additional landscaping, a spectacular expansion of the Superyacht Pavilion, additional marquees, which will increase display space by more than 20 percent, everything is on track for a bumper edition.'
As of December 19, Harry Davis confirmed 252 exhibitors 'locked in.'
'It's roughly level pegging with last year's bookings,' he said.
'We're not finding too much hesitancy among potential exhibitors, some are yet to decide how many boats or how much space they'll require, but overall there is definitely confidence in the air.
'Quite a few who have made inquiries are seeking information on who has booked so far; they want to know how other companies are viewing the current situation, but no one to date has expressed any intention to bypass the show because of the economic situation.'
The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show achieved its record exhibitor participation in 2007 when 456 companies displayed their goods and services.
Recent research undertaken by Queensland's Griffith University revealed the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show had set a new benchmark for Gold Coast events.
According to the research, the show attracts more income to the Gold Coast than either the Indy Cars or the Magic Millions, two events that are widely publicised and attract huge crowds.
by Bob Wonders
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