Set to take place from October 1 to 6 in the popular Italy yacht charter location – Genoa, this year’s Genoa Boat Show was presented in Milan on September 18, 2014. The presentation was hosted by the headquarters of Il Sole 24 Ore Group, the event’s media partner, and was attended by 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, as well as the President of Fiera di Genova SpA, Sara Armella.
Presentation of this year’s Genoa International Boat Show
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.
Presentation of the 2014 Genoa International Boat Show
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.”
