The German Boat and Shipbuilding Association (DBSV) is to host a new boat show in Hamburg this year and has formed a ‘North-South Alliance’ with event organisers Messe Friedrichshafen and Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC) to pool their experiences together.
The inaugural 2018 Hamburg Boat Show will be held from October 17-21 at the Hamburg exhibition complex. Almost 300 companies have already expressed an interest in attending.
'We decided to act based on the express wish of the industry,' says DBSV president Torsten Conradi.
'We are confident that this joint set-up provides a strong alliance on the North-South axis,”'he adds. 'It aims to fulfil the wishes and requirements of exhibitors from the boating industry, and provide major stimuli in the North.
The new exhibition concept is also a starting point for the North-South Alliance formed by the association and the shows in Friedrichshafen and Hamburg. This should impact positively on the Interboot show in Friedrichshafen, southern Germany. The DBSV is therefore not only playing a leading role in Hamburg, but its presence at the watersports exhibition on Lake Constance will also be increasing.
'In future, we would also like to fly the flag more in the south and use synergy effects on both shows,' Conradi explains.
Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC) will be providing the site as well as the infrastructure and services for next year’s event. HMC managing director Bernd Aufderheide says: “I am delighted that the DBSV is following the wish of its members, particularly those from the accessory and equipment supplier sectors, and is now organising a new watersports event in Hamburg together with us and Messe Friedrichshafen.
'We have pooled resources in order to provide attractive and suitable offerings for watersport enthusiasts in the metropolitan region and Northern Europe. The new autumn show and our hanseboot ancora boat show in the spring will complement each other very well in the north.'
Also welcoming the initiative is Frank Horch, Hamburg’s Senator for Economics, Transport and Innovation. 'Hamburg is a maritime city with many traditions,” he says. “The idea of establishing in this area a new concept that is supported by the industry, and appeals to private customers and exhibitors alike, is good. I warmly welcome it.'
