Doha 16 June 2015 – The third edition of the Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS) is to be held this November from 10 to 14, under the auspices of H.E. the Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani at Mourjan Marinas-Lusail City.
QIBS 2015 has already secured a great number of international exhibitors such as Amels, Amer Yachts, Azimut, Benetti, Blohm+Voss, Boston Whaler, Cranchi, Everglades, Gulf Craft, Ferretti, Lagoon, Moody, Prestige, Princess, Sea Ray, Sunseeker and more. The Qatari maritime industry is fully supporting the show with exhibitors such as Alfardan Marine, Al Udeid Boats, Halul Boats, Speed Marine and others. Also this year, the show is expected to reach full capacity with 85 boats being exhibited in water and on land, ranging from 6 meters to 77 meters in length.
Essa Al Mannai, QIBS Chairman said: “We are honored once again by the fact that, His Excellency the Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, is giving QIBS 2015 his full support. As the organisers of Qatar’s very own international boat show, our aim remains to bring mutual benefits to the marine industry and for Qatar as a whole”.
Mohamed Al Marri, Finance Director at Lusail City Real Estate Development Company (LREDC), said: “At LREDC we believe in the importance of supporting Qatar’s marine tourism industry. This commitment led to our cooperation with Mourjan Marinas to work alongside Snowcomms to organise the first International Boat Show, and now we are here to celebrate the success of that event and announce the third edition”.
“Lusail Marina, the host district of this unique exhibition, has been designed to provide an interesting and unique experience for yacht and boat owners with access to high standard facilities. Since its opening in 2011, the Marina has been attracting not only yacht owners and fans of high-end marine tourism but several members of the community who are looking to benefit from the facilities available and the unique sea side promenade”, he added.
Faysal Mikati, Founder and CEO of Snowcomms, the organizer of QIBS said: “The Qatar International Boat Show and all other major events organised in the country enhance Qatar’s aim to become a leading destination for international events and attract short term tourists. Boat Shows are considered as one of the premier events worldwide, and as such QIBS will continue to expand, improve and bring to the visitors major yacht launches and news by top-notch boating brands, while supporting the local market”.
“QIBS has earned the title of being a ‘UFI Approved Event.” – making it the first ever approved event to be held in Qatar as a member of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. Our promise is to continue working towards bringing the best and latest on the maritime sector in Qatar and support the local industry”, Mikati said.
Sponsorship requests for the Show have also risen, with strong support being shown from a number of high profile companies and government entities, including: Lusail City and Qatari Diar, the venue for QIBS; Mourjan Marinas – Lusal City, a leading industry provider for marinas and management services; Peters & May, which is the official freight forwarder; Ulysse Nardin, the official watch sponsor, World of Yachts and Boats, the Show’s official magazine and many others currently under discussion.
Wayne Shepherd, General Manager of Mourjan Marinas – Lusail City said: ‘’Mourjan Marinas is excited to welcome back the Qatar International Boat Show, with the third edition set to be the biggest and best yet at the prestigious Lusail City. With the exhibition growing in popularity and significance year upon year, we are proud to be the official host venue for this showpiece event at Mourjan Marinas – Lusail City.
‘’The Qatar International Boat Show has been instrumental in celebrating and promoting the country’s booming marina and boating community. We believe that it will continue to shine an international spotlight on Qatar’s industry and boating culture for many years to come”, he continued.
Pantelis Stathis, Boat Show Director said: “More recognition has come for QIBS, by becoming a candidate member of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO). IFBSO brings together more than 35 of the world’s leading boat shows and marine / maritime trade exhibitions and in order to be admitted, the exhibition needs to be of an international standard and is expected to be of national significance”.
“Last week we flew off to Gdansk in Poland in order to attend the latest IFBSO Congress and were given the opportunity to present the Qatar International Boat Show to our fellow members. We also had the opportunity to exchange ideas and views with the other international members”, he continued.
“Since the inception of QIBS, we have been travelling to a number of other Boat Shows around the world, including Amsterdam, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Greece, Istanbul, London, Miami, Paris and Singapore, to promote QIBS and ensure the show is of international standards.”
“The show will also have many more side events this year, including cruises, awards, nautical activities, sea races, seminars and evening parties – for we understand that one of the attractions of a show like this is that visitors can meet their peers from other parts of the region and the world”, Stathis concluded.
QIBS has expanded its sales agents network which now covers Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and of course the USA.
Because of increasing demand from visitors, the Show’s organiser, Snowcomms, has extended the show timings this year as follows: Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday from 14:30 until 21:30 and Friday / Saturday from 12:30 to 21:30, from November 10th to November 14th.