The Madrid Boat Show confirms its potential as an ideal forum for business and the presentation of new features

The high stature of the visitors at the Show and their high purchasing power were the most highly valued aspects of this ninth edition.

Having consolidated itself as one of the leading European trade events for the industry, the ninth edition of the Madrid Boat Show stood out for its excellent participation figures and its growing importance on the international fair circuit. The Show, which took place recently at Feria de Madrid (14th-18th March), featuring a total of 210 boat-builders and boating companies and some 450 craft, confirmed the buoyant climate that currently exists within the field of recreational boating and water-sports in Spain, based on the industry's dynamic trade activity and the 34,248 enthusiasts who attended the event from all over Spain. 

The high stature of the visitors and their high purchasing power, in addition to the Show's role as a showcase for new features and a forum for trade, were the most highly rated aspects of this edition. The public once again revealed considerable interest in the extensive and innovative range of products on show at the boating exhibition, producing some excellent results in terms of trade activity and wide-ranging awareness of the boating industry and all it has to offer. In this respect, the sectors that recorded the highest levels of interest on the part of visitors, included the following: sailing, which accounted for 20.4% of the overall number of visitors; pneumatic craft, 13.20%; motor boats, 8.75%; canoes and kayaks, 8.72%; windsurf, 7.10% and outboard motors, 7.10%, among others.

With regard to the sphere of influence that the MADRID BOAT SHOW enjoys, we might highlight the event's growing projection, based on the presence of visitors and buyers from all over Spain. After Madrid, the largest attendance figures regarding Spanish Regions were from Andalusia, Valencia, Castile-La Mancha, Catalonia, Murcia and Galicia, followed by the Balearic Islands, the Basque Country and León. These figures also confirm the importance of the Show throughout the whole of Central Spain, as well as the overall growth in the number of visitors from different parts of the Spanish coast. In relation to the Show's international dimension, we might highlight the attendance of visitors from more than 30 countries, with those from Portugal, Italy and France travelling to the event in the greatest numbers, along with visitors from Germany and the United Kingdom.

 
450 Boats. With regard to the exhibition itself, which brought together a total of 450 craft, motor-propelled models accounted for the largest number of boats on show (68.6% of the total), with craft measuring up to 9 metres in length playing the leading role (60%) compared to craft measuring more than 12 metres (12.5%). The rest of the craft, accounting for 28% of the total number exhibited, measured between 6 metres and 12 metres in length. For their part, sailing boats, which feature more prominently at each edition of the Show, focused their attention mainly on craft measuring up to 6 metres in length (38.5%), followed by craft measuring between 6 and 9 metres in length (23%), over 12 metres (20.5%) and between 9 and 12 metres in length (18%).   These segments were accompanied by inflatable craft and kayaks, which accounted for 19.4% of the total exhibition, and water-bikes, which accounted for 23.5%.

All of the Latest New Features. Once again this year, the Madrid Boat Show provided the setting for the presentation of all the latest new features from the leading companies within the industry. The sailing boat segment was one of the star features at the last edition, covering an exhibition area measuring some 25,000 square metres. The sailing boats known as Harmony, Hanse and Hunter stood out for their spectacular design and performance and equipment features. Likewise, within the motorised segment, a number of important boating companies once again chose Madrid for the unveiling of their most spectacular craft, including the exclusive Riva launches, the Azimut boats presented by Hermanos Berga and the latest Astondoa exhibited by Marina Estrella. Boating enthusiasts revealed their special interest in the features of the new Sea Line, Fairline and Princesa models, as well as the latest ideas from Ferreti and Pershing. The new lengths from the Spanish boat-builder, Altair Yates, were also very warmly received.

Sea Forum. Another of the most significant aspects of the Madrid Boat Show was its social dimension. In this respect, the event provided the ideal setting in which to stage various activities and functions relating to the world of boating. Thus, we might highlight the success of the Sea Forum, whose objective is to promote and project the world of boating and water-sports in Spain. This Forum hosted a wide-ranging Programme of Sporting Activities, such as the presentation of the Barcelona World Race 2007 and the Spanish research project,  "Desafío Hipatia", as well as numerous national regattas. As part of the Programme at this edition, we might mention the prominent role played by the conferences entitled "The Spanish Challenge" organised by The America's Cup, and "Life on a Boat", organised by the Spanish Sailing Federation. Visitors to the Show were also able to hear about the sporting feats of Esperanza Pérez, the first Spanish woman to undertake a solo crossing of the Atlantic, and of Alvaro de Marichalar, on board the Numancia. Various specialised conferences, such as the Second Monotype Sailing Forum, along with seminars and the traditional awards ceremony for the Grana y Oro Sailing Prizes, completed the range of activities at this grand showcase for the boating industry in Madrid.