Organizers and exhibitors are getting all hands on deck for Nanaimo’s biggest annual boating show.
The fourth annual Nanaimo Boat Show happens at Waterfront Suites and Marina April 12-15.
“The show is growing year over year,” said Odai Sirri, event organizer. “It started out as a three-day show, it’s now a four-day show. We were bringing in about $20 million worth of product. We’re now pushing $26 million worth of product that’s going to be showcased, so you get to see a larger array of boating inventory and marine-related services and inventory.”
The broad range of product makes the Nanaimo Boat Show an exhibition for everyone and every budget with everything from economically priced runabout craft to multimillion-dollar craft.
“The show not only promotes getting people on the water, but helps promote accessibility to the water, which is what we’re trying to encourage, but it also shows that this industry is a big industry, whether it’s in yacht servicing or whether it’s in tourism services pertaining to water-based excursions,” Sirri said. “It highlights that for the community and it highlights it for the mid-, north-Island region.”
Sponsors and supporters, such as Island Savings Credit Union and Parksville-based Ideal Teak have helped the show become become a bigger event each year.
Thanks to sponsorship, the boat show will have even more appeal for children with fun events for kids scheduled throughout the weekend.
The Nanaimo Boat Show is a fundraiser supporting the John Howard Society.
“It’s the only boat show that we’re aware of in Western Canada or in Canada, for that matter, that actually gives back to the community and so I think that’s a really important part of this show, is the community component,” Sirri said.
To learn more, buy tickets or to register as an exhibitor, visit www.nanaimoboatshow.com.