The 20th annual edition of the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS), which opens tomorrow (March 13), will feature superyachts, water sports, fashion shows, live entertainment and prize giveaways.

DIBS 2012 will run for five days at the Dubai International Marine Club, and will offer attendees more to see, with easier access to choice exhibits than ever before.

Home to more than 430 boats, the show will feature 20 superyachts and 33 premiers, including nine world launches and 24 regional launches.

“Everything is set for the opening of the 20th anniversary Boat Show which will mark one of the region’s great milestones within the leisure maritime sector,” said Trixee Loh, senior vice president, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the event.

“And we intend to highlight this achievement with our best show ever, from the record number of super yacht builders exhibiting, to amazing investment opportunities to secure optimum purchases on the full-range of boats and products on display, plus the spectacular entertainment and educational opportunities on offer. The boat show brings together the full range of marine offerings and is ‘the’ event on Dubai’s social calendar which is not to be missed,” Loh added.

With exciting opportunities and experiences to be had during the Boat Show’s 20th anniversary, visitors can enjoy the ‘Try out zone’ and test their natural water skills by enjoying the use of equipment such as surf boards, kayaks and kite-surfing.

Visitors also have the chance to win a spectacular, fully-equipped 22-foot fishing boat worth an estimated Dh250,000 ($68,000).

Following last year’s success, 2012 will see the return of the hugely popular Supercar Promenade where visitors will be able to get behind the wheel of some of the world’s fastest and most expensive cars – such as Bentley Continental Series 51, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, and Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé – all of which can be purchased at the show and driven off the site.

Visitors can also enjoy the exclusive opportunity to see the world’s only Alpha Romeo of its kind, and meet and greet the chief designer from Stile Bertone at this year’s Supercar Promenade.

The Dive Middle East Exhibition (DMEX), the only dedicated diving exhibition in the region, in association with Emirates Diving Association, will bring together international manufacturers and local suppliers of sub-aqua diving equipment and services, with live demonstrations and daily 'try-a-dive' sessions.

For the first time in the UAE, an eight piece swing band from Italy will be performing, along with a series of local DJ’s creating an atmosphere that is sure to delight boating enthusiasts and families looking for a wonderful day out.

There will also be a number of fashion shows at various stands along with an ‘on water’ nail services feature compliments of The Nail Spa.

Competitions, prize giveaways will be running throughout the show, with the popular feature 'Heritage Village' presented by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

Visitors to the event will be able to gain easy access to the venues free parking on levels one and two of the Monorail Station Parking, Palm Jumeirah - including free shuttle buses throughout the day to and from the venue.

Also, take the opportunity to experience the new RTA Water Bus free-of-charge during the show, to and from the unlimited visitor parking area on the breakwater.

The Dubai International Boat Show is open to trade visitors and the general public from 3pm to 9:30pm daily.

Admission is Dh60 ($16.33) per person for all attendees without an invitation, while children under 12 will be admitted free of charge. – TradeArabia News Service