The 2010 Seattle Boat Show wrapped up on Saturday, February 6, and everyone in the recreational boating industry is wondering: how was it? Did consumers show up? Did they spend any money? What does it mean for the industry as a whole? The entire boating world is holding its breath, waiting for somebody to answer these crucial questions.
OK, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but the Seattle Boat Show is the largest boat show on the west coast, and manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers really do want to know about it.
Never fear, Navagear is here. I attended the boat show every day it was open, from the preview event to the very last day. I met new people, I caught up with old friends, I learned about lots of new products, and I brought home a new Feathercraft BayLee dinghy for my boat.
KIERA RUDDEN-FLANAGANThis year's total attendance (at both the Qwest Field Events Center and the Lake Union "Boats Afloat" location) was 59,607, compared to 54,835 a year ago, an increase of almost 9 percent.
While it was a successful boat show for me, what about the exhibitors?
First, let's talk about the "official" figures, provided by John Thorburn, Director of Communications and Marketing with the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA), which puts on the Seattle Boat Show. The 2010 Seattle Boat Show featured 472 exhibitors, down from 2009's total of 511.
That doesn't sound like progress, but remember that there was a lot of "thinning," to put it politely, in the recreational boating industries nationwide during 2009. Thorburn puts it this way: "It's probably worth noting that despite the decrease in the number of exhibitors from 2009 to 2010, many of those that participated in the 2010 show requested more space than in 2009 – which is why the footprint of the show was essentially the same."
In terms of Seattle Boat Show attendance, the numbers are up. This year's total attendance (at both the Qwest Field Events Center and the Lake Union "Boats Afloat" location) was 59,607, compared to 54,835 a year ago, an increase of almost 9 percent. That's especially gratifying when you consider that the show was shortened from 10 days last year to 9 days this year.
TIM FLANAGANWith over 70 boats on display from 10 to 60 feet, Lake Union Sea Ray had not only the largest boat display at the Seattle Boat Show, but the largest display of Brunswick boat lines at any boat show in the world.What about boats sold? "We never have data of boats sold at the show," according to Lisa Samuelson, who works closely with the NMTA. "Dealers/brokers are not required to report boat sales to the NMTA, and there's no way to accurately measure it, anyway; many deals start at the show but are closed later."
With that in mind, I decided to contact one of the show's larger boat exhibitors. With over 70 boats on display from 10 to 60 feet, Lake Union Sea Ray had not only the largest boat display at the Seattle Boat Show, but the largest display of Brunswick boat lines at any boat show in the world. So if anybody is going to have a reasonably good "big picture" impression of what the 2010 Seattle Boat Show means for the recreational maritime industry, it's these folks.
Lake Union Sea Ray Marketing Manager Kay Woltman attended the show every day. "The boat show was very successful for us this year. Honestly, it was incredible. From entry-level sport boats to larger sport yachts, we sold a really nice blend of boats across all our lines." Those lines include Meridian, Boston Whaler, Bayliner, Sea Ray and Trophy.
She was particularly enthusiastic about those smaller boats. "Last year a lot of entry-level buyers appeared to be sitting on the fence, and this year we saw that change. It's kind of like this cloud has lifted."
In fact, Ms. Woltman felt the same way about the entire show. "Attendance was up, and there was a lot of excitement among both exhibitors and attendees. Even the boating and fishing seminars were packed. This is just a great indication that people are getting back into living life and feeling good about it."
TIM FLANAGANSo what about after-market gear, gadgets, and accessories? The type of products we discuss at Navagear, for instance? I spoke with many exhibitors during the show, and I heard optimistic assessments.So what about after-market gear, gadgets, and accessories? The type of products we discuss at Navagear, for instance? I spoke with many exhibitors during the show, and I heard optimistic assessments from all but one exhibitor.
First, the good news. Attendance was up, enthusiasm was up, and sales were up. Bob Hale, editor and publisher of the Waggoner Cruising Guide (the "bible" for northwest cruising), was very happy with this year's numbers. "In 2009 our display alone sold 416 copies of the Waggoner. Considering the perilous economy at that time I considered it a good performance. We sold 548 copies at the 2010 show, so obviously the mood has improved. People are planning to use their boats."
Jeff Hummel of Rose Point Navigation Systems told me that 2010 was the best Seattle Boat Show his company had ever had, which really surprised me. In general, most everybody is noticing growth compared to 2009, but almost nobody is matching the levels of success they enjoyed in 2008.
Still, attendance fell off a little during the weekdays, and even the final Saturday was lighter than some exhibitors expected, after the opening weekend's huge crowds. One exhibitor near the back of the East Hall (one of the two most remote locations at the show) was dismayed at the light foot traffic he was experiencing. There were lots of interesting products back in this area, along with two of the show's seminar stages and the World's Largest Toy Boat Collection, so I would have expected reasonably good traffic even through this part of the show. He wasn't convinced, though.
So what does it all mean? I'm no economist, but I know what I felt while at the show. Overall, everything just felt a bit more "up" than last year. I agree with Kim Woltman's comment above: "It's kind of like this cloud has lifted." It felt like that to me. In terms of our numbers at Navagear.com, visits to the website are up over 50 percent compared to last year. I may not be completely objective on this, but I figure that's a great economic indicator.
