This year’s 20th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show will celebrate the rich history and incredible growth of the regional maritime industry, bringing together the ‘who’s who’ in the vast sector from across five continents, said the organisers.

In addition to an impressive number of global and regional firsts, the world’s leading marine leisure industry players will unveil their product before tens of thousands of boating enthusiasts, confirming the event’s growing global reach and continued ability to attract top quality buyers in record numbers two decades after its inaugural staging, they said.

“20 years ago, the boat show was conceived to connect the worldwide maritime industry to a country and region with a passion for the sea. It has now grown to be the single most significant driver of the leisure marine industry in the region,” remarked Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, the event organisers.

20 years ago, the event was originally launched as the ‘Watersports & Powerboat Show’ as a fully indoor event held at the DWTC. The 1992 edition attracted 55 local and regional exhibitors and 3,000 visitors, and has witnessed sustained growth and development over its 20 year history.

As the show quickly evolved and expanded, the industry demand steadily increased with the event moving from an ‘on land’ display to a ‘land and water’ – split venue display in both the Dubai Creek on water and Dubai World Trade Centre for the indoor land display.

In 2004 the event settled into its current home at the Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi which accelerated its transformation into one of the most influential brands in the world, encompassing the Luxury Supplies & Services Hall, The Equipment Supplies and Services Hall, The External Boat Display on Land, The Diving Exhibition, The Supercar Promenade and an extensive on-water Marine Display featuring some of the world’s most luxurious superyachts.

Dubai International Marine Club became the permanent home of the Dubai International Boat Show.

“The event is a spectacular showcase for those companies who see the enormous business potential in this region, and Dubai is ideal in terms of infrastructure, geography and international trade experience to realise that potential,” he added.

With an astounding 33 premiers, including world and regional launches, and 750 companies plus 430 boats on display, the strength of this year’s 20th anniversary event programming clearly reaffirms its position as one of the top five international boat shows and the Middle East’s number one destination for leisure marine trade.

A total of 46 countries including first-time country participation from Austria, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Hongkong, Madagascar, Poland, Philippines, Seychelles and Tunisia – will be making their mark at the show, running from March 13 to 17.

The show will feature 186 new exhibitors and some of the most renowned brands this year, including Abeking & Rasmussen, Al Futtaim Marine, Blohm + Voss Shipyards, Bombardier Business Aircraft, CSO Yachts, Dutch Thruster Group, Fehrmann Metallverarbeitung, Fraser Yachts, Green Marine, Kaiserwerft, Koot Yachts, Limassol Marina, Mave, Milano Teleport, Oldenburger Yacht Interior, Otto Pienning, RE-Boat Srl, Sunreef Yachts and Yamal Boats.

A highlight of this year's show will feature 11 members of the world’s most prestigious super yachts builders association (SYBAss), to include Abeking & Rasmussen, AMELS, Benetti, CRN, Feadship, Fincantieri, Heesen Yachts, Lurssen, Oceanco, San Lorenzo, and Trinity Yachts, with each showcasing their latest yacht models and designs in a dedicated SYBAss Pavillion.-TradeArabia News Service