Event & Marketing Manager Emma Milne and Exhibitor Coordinator
Shannon Brice with the Best Exhibition trophy awarded to Expo by the
Australian Events Industry.

The innovative Gold Coast International Marine Expo – which shares its dates with the Riviera Festival of Boating from 19-22 May 2016 – is celebrating a year of growth and success after winning Best Exhibition for 2015 at the Australian Event Awards in Sydney recently.

Judges of the pinnacle awards for the Australian events industry acknowledged ‘the boat show with so much more’ for the successful outcomes and amazing experiences enjoyed by both visitors and exhibitors across Expo’s four fantastic days in May.

Event & Marketing Manager Emma Brown said Expo’s small but talented team was very proud and extremely humbled by the major national award win.

“We gratefully accept the Best Exhibition title for 2015 on behalf of our loyal exhibitors, our valued partners and, importantly, our Expo fans – our visitors – who have all shown great commitment to our industry-run marine exposition that continually reinvents the concept of a traditional boat show.”

In accepting the award on behalf of Expo’s organisers, foundation committee member, Riviera’s brand and communications director Stephen Milne, said the 2015 Best Exhibition honour marked the beginning of the next inspiring chapter for the industry’s truly unique showcase of all things aquatic.

“Expo was created by marine industry leaders in extremely challenging times five years ago. We had little or no money yet a great deal of ambition and the fact that in 2015 the biggest Expo yet achieved over $50 million in sales for our exhibitors is testament to the drive and determination of those marine businesses and industry professionals who stand solidly behind the event,” said Mr Milne.

“In 2015 the Expo aligned its dates with the Riviera Festival of Boating and showcased over 500 boats both on the hardstand and on the water, and over 230 industry exhibitors displaying over 300 major marine brands. Over five years we have welcomed over 90,000 people to Expo and in 2015 we welcomed over 17,000 qualified visitors across the four event days,” he said.

“We announced several new key initiatives for 2016 in early October, including our new precincts, indoor pavilion and sea trial berths and we have more exciting announcements to make in the coming months.

“Expo 2016– and the Riviera Festival of Boating – will both certainly be our biggest and best yet.”

• Riviera Festival of Boating guests receive VIP treatment at Expo. If you would like to register your interest for the Festival, please click here.