Jonathan Banks, Executive Director, Sail America

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER:

SAIL AMERICA ANNOUNCES NEW FORMAT AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR STRICTLY SAIL PACIFIC

By Jonathan Banks

I'm pleased to announce that Sail America, NCMA and the Port of Oakland have reached an agreement to hold Strictly Sail Pacific at Jack London Square, Oakland from April 15 – 18, 2010. For 2010, Strictly Sail Pacific will return to an all-sail show and will feature a four-day format, a new-improved layout, better parking, indoor seminars, added features, and a wide selection of in-water and on-land exhibitors.

The Sail America Executive Committee voted unanimously to continue supporting the Strictly Sail Pacific show despite the current challenging market conditions. The Board of Directors recognizes the importance of Strictly Sail Pacific for many of our exhibitors and feels strongly that there is a need for a sail show on the West Coast. We are committed to producing the best possible show for attendees and exhibitors alike.

After the 2009 show we listened to the feedback from our exhibitors and attendees and are pleased to announce a number of important improvements and changes to the show:

Improved Four-Day Format: The new four-day format will reduce costs for out-of-town exhibitors and will also help to save money to produce the show. Research and past experience has shown that the same number of attendees come to a 4-day show as a 5-day show.
V.I.P. Preview Night: The V.I.P. Preview Night will run from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, April 14. This will give boat dealers and manufacturers the opportunity to entertain their most important customers and prospects in a relaxed environment, away from the crowds.
All-Sail Format: Sail America and NCMA have decided not to co-produce a combined sail and power show in 2010. Instead, Strictly Sail Pacific and Pacific Power Boat Expo will be stand-alone shows that will be held alongside one another. Although the two shows will be separate, there will be common tickets and we expect the majority of the power boat attendees to also visit the sail show. This format will help to produce an appealing sail-only atmosphere but will also expose sailing products and services to a broader audience.
Wider Selection of Boats: The goal is to showcase a wide selection of in-water and trailerable boats. For the 2010 show, we will relax the rules and allow good condition, previously-used boats to be displayed in the show. While some exhibitors may consider this as a controversial move, we believe it will enhance the show and will provide attendees with a wider selection of boats to view and more reasons to visit the show. We plan to expand the small-boat section to include a wider selection of affordable dinghies and trailerable boats as well as one-design classes.
More Convenient Parking: A new parking garage has opened directly opposite the large exhibitor tent at the east end of Jack London Square. All boat show traffic will be directed to this new parking garage which is large enough to accommodate the parking needs of all exhibitors and attendees. Attendees will walk directly into the show from the parking garage.
Better Traffic Flow: All attendees will be directed from the parking garage into the large exhibitor tent which will exclusively channel all visitors to the rest of the show.
Improved Layout: For 2010, land exhibitors, the food court and other attractions will be concentrated at the east end of the site in the general vicinity of the large exhibitor tent and new parking garage. Now that the construction work at Jack London Square is finished, show-goers will enjoy the attractively landscaped parks and walkways and new restaurants and stores.
Improved Seminar Facilities: The plan is to hold seminars in the new building adjacent to the large exhibitor tent. This will provide the seminar presenters with a more controlled environment and will keep the seminars close to the on-land exhibitors. It will also free up additional exhibitor space in the high-traffic promenade area between the new building and the marina. Once again, Sail America will work closely with the local seminar committee to develop a dynamic seminar program that will help drive traffic to the show.
Special Events: A local committee will help identify and plan a series of special events for the show. This may include wine tasting, celebrity speakers, local regattas, etc. As in previous years, we plan to create activities that the entire family can enjoy.

I'm really excited by the potential for the 2010 Strictly Sail Pacific show and hope that you share my enthusiasm and will exhibit at the show. I also ask you to encourage other exhibitors to take part in the show because collectively, we can create a bigger and more successful show.

Contracts and a revised site plan will be sent out in the next couple of weeks. I encourage you to send in your space application and deposit to guarantee the best space at the show. As in previous years, Sail America members will receive discount space rates and preferential space allocation. If you haven’t already renewed your Sail America membership please Click Here to sign up online or email Sales - Mitch Perkins (Based in San Francisco) – mperkins@sailamerica.com to request an invoice.

I look forward to a successful Strictly Sail Pacific show.

Jonathan Banks
Executive Director, Sail America

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