This year’s Genoa International Boat Show is renewed and more dynamic, adapting to the needs of an industry in trouble, but starting to show the first signs of recovery. Compared to last year, membership is growing. The most active sectors involve sailing boats and small to medium sized motor boats. Much acclaimed are the new layout and the enhanced services and infrastructure. This year, visiting the Show will be easier and a more engaging experience. Moreover, the two essential goals set from the outset for the 54th Genoa Boat Show have been fully achieved: strong internationalisation and promotion of all-‐Italian excellence, as showcased by our boat industry.
Genoa, September 18th, 2014. The 2014 Genoa Boat Show, to be held from October 1 to 6, was presented this morning in Milan at the headquarters of Il Sole 24 Ore Group, the event’s media partner, in the presence of Massimo Perotti, President of Ucina Confindustria Nautica (the Italian Marine Industry Association), Anton Francesco Albertoni, President of I Saloni Nautici S.p.A., Marina Stella, General Manager of Ucina, Alessandro Campagna, Genoa Boat Show Manager, and of the Institutions’ representatives. The presentation was opened by the Councillor for Culture and Tourism of the Genoa City Council, Carla Sibilla, and the President of Fiera di Genova SpA, Sara Armella.
No better way to get an idea of the new Show than by taking a look at the figures: a surface area of 180,000 square meters, 100,000 of which in water, 760 exhibitors, 1,000 vessels presented, and over 100 new features. In response to industry demands, the Show has be extended by one day compared to last year.
The 2014 edition is the first step of a three-‐year plan for the reorganisation and revitalisation of the most important nautical event in Italy. This task has been made rather complicated by the difficult economic situation that has hit the nautical industry particularly hard, although the 54th Genoa International Boat Show is revealing the first positive signs of recovery. In particular, the sailing sector has registered a 22% increase in the number of boats displayed, some being world premiered. The number of exhibitors of sailing accessories has grown by 50%, and the figures recorded by the multihulls sector are also excellent.
Inboards are broadly in line with last year’s trend, while outboards -‐ which this year will be on display in the water -‐ have recorded an outstanding +50%. The strategy of allowing navigation trials, launched last year, is paying off, and is much appreciated.
The Genoa International Boat Show is pooling its strengths to adapt to changing and complex industry needs, leveraging its more than 50 years of experience. Confirmation of the popularity enjoyed by the 2014 Boat Show may be found in the return of prestigious shipyards and international groups such as Ferretti Group, Sanlorenzo, Sunseeker, Groupe Bénéteau, Fipa Group, Hanse Group, Fairline, Cranchi, Absolute, Cantieri del Pardo, Solaris, Brunswick Marine, etc.
“From the outset, we had set ourselves two major goals,” says Massimo Perotti. “Firstly, we set out to focus on Italian excellence and production. Italian boats are a positive proof of our excellence in the shipbuilding world and in areas such as design and furnishings. Secondly, we worked hard to internationalise the event: the Show needs to promote our values abroad, and attract buyers and journalists from all continents. I am very pleased with the way the Saloni Nautici organisers have worked, enabling us to fully achieve both objectives.”
The first and most obvious change in 2014 is the new layout, an operation that began last year with the “red wall”, which accompanied visitors upon entering the grounds. “The format we experimented with in 2013,” says Anton Francesco Albertoni, “was fully appreciated by the industry, and this year’s more mature version fully meets the needs of exhibitors and the public alike. We have made it easier and more pleasant to move between the stands and along the quays, so as to provide an intense emotional experience, one that the Genoa International Boat Show continues to inspire in hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic visitors. The 54th Genoa Boat Show further consolidates the rapprochement between producer and consumer in an industry charged with passion on both sides, and continues to be unique in Europe for its variety, richness and completeness. I would like to thank Alessandro Campagna, who, in his role as Boat Show Manager, has once again made all this possible.”
