Mandurah businesses miss out on boat show as event sails up to Perth

Instead, there will be one state-wide boat show, similar to the Sydney Boat Show, held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and Elizabeth Quay in September.

Premier Events director Peter Woods said the move followed a national trend, already existing in Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, with boating exhibitions moving to state capitals.

He said Mandurah’s boat show had been a very successful event for the last 20 years, but the boating industry wanted to adapt to changing market conditions by putting on a single state-wide show.

"A boat show is only as good as the people who want to support it,” Mr Woods said.

“And the industry wanted one central show in Perth.

“Market conditions have changed, it’s been an economic decision.

“And a multi-million dollar venue has also become available at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre for the industry to make that shift.”

However, Mr Woods said there was a possibility for a boating event in another format to be held in Mandurah in the future. 

The decision has disappointed local retailer Scott de Mouncey, who had taken part in the show for the last ten years.

“It’s devastating news to Mandurah,” he said.

“It’s not just people like me who have boat businesses that rely on this, you are talking about tourism, hospitality and potentially real estate.

“It’s the biggest event we have and it’s gone and it’s a done deal.

“I understand what they are trying to do but we are not Melbourne or Sydney, and we will never be.”

Mr de Mouncey said he believed the decision would affect local employment rates and impact family-operated businesses in the Peel region.

He said the new Perth boat show prices were ‘prohibitive’, and that he, as a small family-owned business, won’t be able to afford paying for a spot in the event.

“There’s no way I can do that now whatsoever, in no possible way I could do it,” he said.

Mr de Mouncey said he would like to see the show come back to Mandurah.

“Mandurah and the Peel region need it,” he said.

The Club Marine Perth International Boat Show will be held in Perth from September 22 to September 25, 2017.