50th Vancouver Boat Show Sees Bigger Crowds, Positive Mood
Vancouver International Boat Show marked its 50th anniversary February 8-12 with increased attendance, enthusiastic crowds, and strong boat and equipment sales. The show ran indoors at newly renovated BC Place Stadium and afloat at Granville Island Marina, its first year at the latter venue.
Show organizers reported total attendance of nearly 33,000 – up six percent from 2011. Despite showery weather, more than 3,900 show-goers crowded the Granville Island docks on Saturday – a one-day record for the in-water show.
There was a distinctly positive buzz among attendees and exhibitors right from the opening of the show, likely reflecting renewed consumer confidence and pent-up demand, said show manager Eric Nichol. Many exhibitors reported “dramatic” year-over-year increases in sales, he added.
