Helsinki International Boat Show provided new ideas for boating and marine life

Uusi Aalto Waterexpo attracted younger lifestyle hobbyists, who are more interested in water sports and beach activities than traditional boating.

Uusi Aalto Waterexpo offered plenty to do for those who enjoy beach and marine life, and attracted a new kind of crowd to the show. The section was thronged with people throughout the week. Investing in the show will be sure to pay dividends, said Jari Laakso, CEO of a sports equipment and textile import company, whose surf and SUP boards saw heavy use in the long Waterexpo lagoon.

Uusi Aalto Waterexpo was a big investment for the organisers. I applaud their success in breaking new ground, said Vice Chairman Kaj Gustafsson of Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat, thanking the exhibition organisers. Gustafsson, himself an exhibitor at the show, thought that, once again, the Helsinki International Boat Show provided a good forum for trading and making new contacts. All week, customers with an interest in new boating industry innovations passed through the halls in a steady stream. This was the second year the Helsinki International Boat Show used the newest exhibition hall 7. Gustafsson felt that the spacious and distinct location hit the bull's eye this time.

The Helsinki International Boat Show concluded on Sunday and attracted 70,000 visitors. This year's theme was sailing. In addition to showcasing sail boats, the show featured a themed area dedicated to sailing, in which visitors received instructions on taking up the sailing hobby and purchasing their first sail boat.

According to a visitor survey, as many as 62 per cent of visitors came to see the new boat models. One such visitor was Russian entrepreneur Yuri Dimitryev, who toured the exhibition for two days and was struck by the quality of the event. Dimitryev operates a company based in St. Petersburg that manufactures and hires wooden boats.

I am here for the first time and I have to say that I am absolutely astonished by the huge offering. I am currently considering expanding my company into motor boats, so I came here to make useful contacts, which has been very successful, commented Dimitryev.

The Helsinki International Boat Show is the largest boat industry event in Northern Europe. The Finnish Fair Corporation organises the event annually on behalf of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat. Uusi Aalto Waterexpo was realised in cooperation with Pulp Agency. The next Helsinki International Boat Show will be organised next year, on 7-16 February 2014. www.venemessut.fi

Seitenanfang