Smooth Sailing as Boat Show Comes Home

After a nearly 20 year hiatus, the Brisbane Boat Show will moor at its original home next year - the RNA Showgrounds - to take advantage of the new world class Royal International Convention Centre.

More than 20,000 people are expected to descend on the convention centre for the four day event from September 5 - 8, 2013.

The show will be exhibited across 19,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor space, including both levels of the five-star RICC.

RNA General Manager of Venue Sales and Marketing Sue Hocking said it was the third major event secured in the past month to feature at the RICC in its opening year.

"The RNA Showgrounds is Brisbane's biggest indoor / outdoor events venue and attracts on average close to a million visitors a year,'' she said.

"The Brisbane Boat Show event is celebrating its 53rd year and we're thrilled it's returning to the RNA Showgrounds for the first time since 1996."

Marine Queensland President Greg Nickerson said the show continues to be a key retail event for marine
dealerships and products suppliers in South East Queensland.

"The redeveloped showgrounds provides a fantastic mix of indoors and outdoors space allowing us to tailor
exhibition options to suit varying needs and budgets,'' he said.

Mrs Hocking said the RICC was currently in its final stages of construction and excitement was building.

"It's the only convention centre under construction in Australia and has already secured more than a quarter of its projected bookings, including two major international conferences.

"These two events alone will attract more than 1,200 delegates from the United States and inject at least $3 million into the local Brisbane economy, adding further weight to Brisbane being recognised as Australia's new world city."