The second annual Gold Coast International Marine Expo is on course to becoming Australia’s most innovative boating lifestyle marine exposition and has this year attracted a raft of new exhibitors, attractions and interactive displays.

Organisers are tipping this year’s event will be bigger and even more entertaining than last year with more than 20,000 people expected through the gates over the three day, free admission event.

The not-for-profit expo will showcase the latest products and services from Australia’s leading marine manufacturers with kayaks to superyachts and everything in between, so there will be something for everyone at the Gold Coast International Marine Expo.

There will be a significant number of ‘firsts’ at this year’s event including the new Endurance 720 by Hampton Yachts which will be launched at the Expo by Leigh-Smith Cruiser Sales, the new Kawasaki 3013 ultra 300x Jetski launched by Jetski World, Tailored Marine’s new TMA27 Recreational Centre Console trailer boat, the new 445 SUV from Riviera which has never before been seen at a Queensland boat show, the new generation of wind generators by Silentwind has just arrived in Australia, and the Australian Marine Centre will launch the new 1600 Allrounder from Tournament Pleasure Boats to name just a few of the new releases.

Gold Coast International Marine Expo spokesman Stephen Milne said the Expo was shaping up to be another vibrant family fun-filled event.

“We have more than 200 leading marine brands on display and this is continuing to grow daily in the lead up to the Expo,” Mr Milne said.

“These brands will be displayed over a 2.5 kilometre circuit and the Expo will once again support our valued community groups, the Rotary Club of Coomera River, Sailability, Wasp Creek Rural Fire Service, Paradise Kids and the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Rescue Service.

“We have an exciting line-up of entertainment this year with the RAAF Roulettes performing an aerial acrobatics display at 12 noon each day above the Coomera River, the Yamaha Supertank Travelling Fishing Show, the Jetlev Jetpack Flyer Australia, a Class 2 Offshore race boat display and the opportunity to meet the drivers from the Queensland division of the Australian Power Boat Association, the Little Pirates Kids’ Club will once again entertain the children with jumping castle and face painting, there will be a host of international food stalls and live entertainment.

“The on-water display will showcase an impressive 120 boats ranging in size from four feet to more than 100 feet.  The Saturday night Shipyard party that is open to the public with free admission, is expected to be one of the many highlights of the Expo which culminates with a spectacular fireworks display at 7pm.

“The fundraising art auction and Artists’ Quarter has also proved popular with amateur and professional artists creating nautical themed masterpieces during the Friday and Saturday in front of Expo visitors that will then be auctioned off to raise funds for all the charities.”

There are more than 30 new exhibitors this year including, Marine Control Systems, Blue Reef Yachts, Nautique Central, Aussie Soles, Gold Coast Waverunners, Hancock Marine, Marionics, Outback Marine, and STS Marine and Industrial Products to name but a few.

Cameron Suter from Blue Reef Yachts said the free parking, free entry and low exhibitor cost is what attracted him to the Gold Coast International Marine Expo.

“I like that the Expo is run by the industry for the industry and that keeps the costs down for both exhibitors and the boating public.  It is also good to know that everything is there onsite and it is all very easily accessible,” Mr Suter said.

“Blue Reef Yachts has a very niche market.  We offer new trailerable sail boats and at the Expo I will demonstrate how to rig up a sail boat in under five minutes.

“We will have three boats on display, the Eclipse 21, the MacGregor 26 Powersailer and

the Suncat 17, the latter being the quickest boat to rig up.”

Nick Binstead from Marine Control Systems said the Gold Coast International Marine Expo provided a platform for demonstrating products through interactive displays and workshops.

Nick said it has been seven years since they had a display at an international boat show.

“I went to the Expo last year as a member of the public and I was really impressed.  It seemed well laid out and very well organised and offered a very wide choice of exhibits,” Mr Binstead said.

“At this year’s Expo I will have a hands-on, interactive display for our steering and cable systems.”

The second annual Gold Coast International Marine Expo has also announced the Nine Network as official television media partner who will launch an exciting national viewer competition on the Today Show in the lead up to the Expo.

The second annual Gold Coast International Marine Expo will be held on November 2, 3 and 4 and will be open to the public free of charge from 9am to 5pm over three action-packed days.