Exhibitor Feedback
Steve McLay, McLay Boats
Steve McLay of South Island aluminium boat manufacturers, McLay Boats says he was "blown away" by the number of genuine buyers at the show.
"Sales at the show have set us up for a good portion of the winter,” he says. “We already have five direct sales, more than we get from most boat shows. We also have a large number of demonstrations and trades to follow up.”
Steve McLay says he is glad he decided to attend the show in his own right, rather than just through his dealers.
“We will certainly be back next year, regardless of the economic climate.”
Glenn Shaw, Extreme Boats
Whakatane based Extreme Boats was another to have a great show.
“This was our best show ever — and by miles,” says Extreme’s Glenn Shaw. “We have secured at least 20 sales of boats and I believe the final tally will be far more than that."
"The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show is very important in our marketing, we get 30-40% of our annual sales from leads generated at this show."
Brian Firman, Firman’s Marine
Brian Firman of Firman’s Marine in Napier says the event is the most important boat show in the country and this year’s show was the most positive he had ever attended.
“We have page after page of genuine inquiries,” he says. “Our level of inquiry is greater than it was four years ago — at the height of the boom!”
“The Boat of the Show Awards are the most credible and carry more prestige than any other awards in the country.
“This is the No. 1 show in the country.”
Craig Lewis, Gulfland Marine
Craig Lewis of Whangaparaoa-based Gulfland Marine startled organisers on the last day of the show by loudly asking them if they had a spare fire extinguisher.
“We’re on fire,” he quipped with a huge smile as he raced back to his stand.
Lewis admitted that he originally did not want to attend the show, believing the economy was not strong enough to create sales.
"I was totally wrong, this show has completely exceeded expectations.”
Mark Milburn, Lusty and Blundell
Mark Milburn, CEO of major equipment distributor Lusty and Blundell agrees with Craig Lewis.
“Year on year, this was our best show for Raymarine electronics. Visitors to the show were really interested and were prepared to spend.”
“I just can’t think of us not attending this show; the companies that were not here have really lost momentum and missed an opportunity. They must be kicking themselves.”
Mark Havis CM Trailer Equipment
Ashburon-based CM Trailer Equipment says they chose to attend the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show rather than go to other shows, including the giant Fielddays.
“There was no question about us attending this show,” says CM’s Mark Havis, “it’s way up there in our marketing plan and we again got good results this year.
This is the best organised show we attend and always gives us excellent branding.
Toni Palmer, Surtees Boats
Toni Palmer from Kawerau-based Surtees Boats said the show’s unique finance deal with Marac helped them sell boats.
“Our demo day was completely booked out as a result of the show,” she says.
“We did not have huge expectations of the show this year but inquiry levels have been very, very good.
“It would have been a huge step back to not come, or even to have scaled back.
“We are certainly not disappointed in this year’s show.”
Kevin Mead, Kev’s Super Dredge
“We have to come to this show, it’s where we meet our customers,” says Kevin Mead, manufacturer of the popular Kev’s Super Dredge.
“If we don’t have those one-on-one meetings, it’s difficult to sell our products.
“We understand that everyone was frightened this year but you have to come and meet your market.”
Graeme Williams, Performance Imports
"Just a short note to express my gratitude for an extremely well presented and run Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show. The extent of advertising that was presented, even down here in the Waikato was rewarded by the huge number of patrons attending, and “quality” patrons at that.
"Although it is extremely rare to actually sell engine/drive packages at the show, our company fielded an unprecedented number of serious enquiries for us to follow up on which hopefully can be turned into sales.
"I look forward to your show next year."
