IT WAS SMOOTH SAILING AND SELLING AT THE NEWPORT BOAT SHOW

If the 2009 Newport International Boat Show is an early sales barometer of things to come, there may be some bright spots in the near future for the sailing industry.

According to show organizers, the show saw a double digit attendance increase of over 12%, with gate sales returning to levels of two and three years ago. One of the top five largest in-water boat shows in the U.S., this year’s Newport Show included 650+ exhibitors with more than 500 boats ranging in size from 16 to 92 feet.

“The show was one of the best - the weather cooperated all four days and that does make a difference.” stated Nancy Piffard, Newport International Boat Show director. “About the same number of sailboat companies exhibited this year, however they brought fewer boats. The basins appeared full and people walking the docks were very positive. Sailboat exhibitors reported selling boats and meeting qualified customers. We were very happy with the results.”

“Discover Sailing had four sailboats in various sizes, including a multihull, going to and from the show docks, giving attendees who were interested in sailing a cruise around Newport Harbor,” she added. “The boats were busy all four days. We appreciate having them at the show and it’s a great event for families and individuals who have never been on a sailboat to experience the sport. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!”

That same positive feedback was echoed by participating Sail America exhibitors.

“Newport for us and our dealers certainly seemed to be a gauge that the market may be stabilizing,” said Greg Emerson, market development manager for Hunter Marine. “We didn’t hear customers complaining about the economy or the ‘waiting to see what’s going to happen’ line as we have heard over the past 12 months. Some increase in consumer confidence was definitely noticeable.

“We closed several deals at the show,” he added, “and we have other customers saying that they are coming to Annapolis to make a deal.”

Gill NA Sales Manager Jerry Richards concurred.

“We were encouraged by the number of people in the aisles, passing through the booth and who purchased Gill product,” he said. “The mood was very positive and we had steady and healthy increase in sales each day over last year.

“The glorious weather made the time in Newport very enjoyable,” he said. “Let’s hope this is an indication for good times ahead and the Annapolis show in October.”

Edson International Sales Manager Chuck Gilchrest, whose company has its largest booth space at Newport, was equally optimistic.

“We had a good experience with the Newport Show this year and were encouraged by the traffic and the general mood of the attendees,” he said. “Several individuals stopping by the booth had taken advantage of available bargains in the used boat market and were actively looking for ways to update and improve their "new" purchases. That seems to bode well for the upcoming season for refits and aftermarket sales.”

Edson also used the show to capitalize on three separate promotions. It sponsored a "5 Star Best Booth Award," announced the winners of its summer photo contest, and introduced a drawing to win an Edson cockpit table for boat show attendees.

“Overall, as long as there were some boat sales to go along with the increase in attendance, we have no complaints at all,” he said.

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