Good Weather, Popular Seminars and Family-Features Draw Large Crowds to Strictly Sail Pacific® & Power Boat Expo

 
Good Weather, Popular Seminars and Family-Features Draw Large Crowds to Strictly Sail Pacific® & Power Boat Expo

More than 12,000 Boating Enthusiasts Turn Out for Newly Combined Sail and Power Show

Middletown, RI – April 28, 2009 - Despite the tough economic conditions facing the marine industry, the 2009 Strictly Sail Pacific & Powerboat Expo drew more than 12,000 boating enthusiasts to the five-day event. While total attendance was down slightly (this year’s gate was 12,100 versus last year’s gate of 13,200), exhibitors reported quality traffic and strong sales. The newly combined show brought together over 250 sail and power exhibitors from April 15–19, 2009 at Oakland’s newly remodeled Jack London Square. The event featured a large in-water fleet of sail and power boats in addition to an impressive array of on-land exhibits, special events, features, and seminars.

“By all accounts, Strictly Sail Pacific & Power Boat Expo was a great success,” noted Jonathan Banks, executive director of Sail America. “We had the same number of exhibitors as last year, and while attendance was down slightly, exhibitors were pleased with the quality of the attendees and the level of retail activity. We’re very pleased with the results considering the current state of the economy and the dramatic drop in attendance that many other boat shows have experienced this year. The strong attendance underlines the importance of boat shows and the continuing passion people have for sailing and other boating activities.”

Craig Fecker of Cruising Yachts was pleased with the marketing efforts of the show and reported positive reception from attendees, “The show has been excellent,” said Fecker. “The response we’ve received is the first indicator for us that the market may be moving in a positive direction.”

The show’s special events and features helped to draw a large and diverse crowd to the show. Attendance at Sail America’s popular seminar series exceeded 5,000, which is the largest turnout ever. More than 350 people signed up for a free Discover Sailing sailboat ride, and the Latitudes and Attitudes Cruiser’s Bash had a record turnout of nearly 400 people. The show also introduced several new features and events this year, including the Green Boating Zone; Kid’s Day from West Marine; free seminars for kids from Call of the Sea; sailboat rides for kids with special needs from Heart of Sailing; as well as tours of the educational vessel, The Derek M. Baylis. Combined with the O’Pen Bic demos, a junior windsurfing program, and a Mercury and Snipe regatta there was never a dull moment at the show.

The new sail and power format was positively received by power exhibitors. “The combined show was an excellent move, and offered great value for both sailing and power boat enthusiasts,” noted Trish D’Anna, owner of D’Anna Yacht Center. We’ve received several promising prospects from the show and we are looking forward to the start of the spring season.” "Combining the two shows was a positive step for the industry and allowed us to achieve far greater reach in our marketing efforts,” said Jorgen Bateman, director of sales, NCMA. "The sailing activities and show features helped us create a bigger, more exciting event and reach attendees interested in both sail and power."

Next year’s show is scheduled for mid April at Jack London Square. For more information, visit StrictlySailPacific.com.

About Strictly Sail Pacific & Power Boat Expo:
Strictly Sail Pacific & Power Boat Expo is co-produced by Sail America, the national trade association for the sailing industry and the Northern California Marine Association, a non-profit trade association representing the recreational marine industry in Northern California. More information can be found at PacificBoatExpo.com.