By Roselle Tenefrancia – Editor Boat Gold Coast Magazine.
Are boat shows still relevant? The straight answer is yes. Boat shows play a crucial role in Australia’s vibrant marine industry, offering unique platforms for manufacturers, dealers, and enthusiasts to showcase and discover innovations in boating. One prominent event is the upcoming Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS), renowned for attracting maritime businesses and boating aficionados alike. It serves not only as a marketplace but also as a forum for fostering connections within the industry.
So why should we participate in a boat show? Participating in a boat show offers numerous benefits for regular boaters, enhancing our experience and knowledge within the marine community. We have the chance to connect with fellow boaters, industry experts, and manufacturers. We can explore new models, learn about cutting-edge features, and discover products that can enhance our boating experience. This firsthand exposure to the latest offerings helps you and me make informed purchasing decisions.
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Many boat shows also offer workshops and seminars led by knowledgeable experts. These sessions cover a range of topics, such as maintenance techniques, safety practices, and navigation tips. We can all benefit from this education, acquiring new skills and insights that can enhance our boating safety and enjoyment.
Personally, I would like to see a stronger emphasis on inclusion and sustainability, addressing both economic and ecological aspects. Ensuring that diverse voices are represented—whether they are newcomers to boating, indigenous communities, women, children, elderly, or other underrepresented groups—can enrich the dialogue surrounding the marine industry.
As active participants in waterways and boating, we play a crucial role in bolstering the marine industry’s economic sustainability, influencing key sectors such as tourism and commerce. Our boating activities generate significant economic benefits, supporting local businesses and communities.
Additionally, promoting ecological sustainability is essential. By fostering practices that protect marine environments, we can ensure that our waterways remain vibrant and healthy for future generations. A focus on inclusion of diverse voices, alongside economic vitality and ecological stewardship, will create a thriving marine community that values different perspectives, enhances innovation, and fosters an environment where everyone can contribute to the industry’s future success.
Boat shows have a unique opportunity to promote both inclusive practices and sustainability within the marine industry. Implementing specific strategies can create an environment that welcomes diverse participants while encouraging responsible practices. For instance, featuring speakers, panel discussions, and workshops led by individuals from varied backgrounds can enrich the conversations around boating and sustainability. These diverse perspectives can introduce innovative ideas and solutions, fostering a more inclusive dialogue. Additionally, offering workshops that educate attendees about ecological practices, such as sustainable boating techniques or local wildlife conservation, can promote awareness and engagement. These sessions can also highlight the economic benefits of adopting sustainable practices.
This is my personal vision of how boat shows can remain relevant in the decades to come. These lifestyle events aim to promote not only the marine industry, but also to provide a platform for us to engage in meaningful discussions on matters that affect our communities.
How do you envision what boat shows in the future look like?
Roselle Tenefrancia
Roselle co-owns and is the Editor of one of Australia’s most popular Boating Magazines, Boat Gold Coast.
Roselle is both a journalist and lawyer, having practiced her trades across several well respected and well-known organisations. Roselle started Boat Gold Coast with husband Andy in 2014 having arrived in Australia from the Philippines two years earlier.
Roselle is passionate about the environment and human rights as is called on to speak at conferences or to provide advice.
Roselle has been Editor in Chief of a number of publications as well as applying her law background to work as a Legal Aid Program Adviser to the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines.
Most recently Roselle was part of a panel during the Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference, telling her own diaspora story through the remembering and retelling of Filipino folklore.
Roselle is now permanently located on the Gold Coast where she lives with her husband and son.
To view the current and past editions of Boat Gold Coast – visit their site HERE
