Sydney International Boat Show generates A$353m despite attendance dip

The Sydney International Boat Show contributed A$353m (£181m) in total economic output from the 2024 event at Darling Harbour, according to the Boating Industry Association (BIA) CEO, Andrew Scott.

This is a slight increase from last year, despite a roughly 10 per cent drop in attendance between 2023 and 2024 – reflecting a broader trend related to a subdued economy.

The 2024 event was the third to take place under a deal signed in 2022 between the Boating Industry Association (BIA) and Mulpha Events, which owns and organises the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

The event, which ran from 1-4 August 2024, showcased a range of boating products across paddle, power and sail categories. Over its four days, the show featured 185 exhibitors and 618 boats, including 194 in the marina and 424 in the ICC Halls across 19,030 sqm. Exhibitors and organisers hailed the event as a success, despite a dip in attendance and exhibitors compared to 2023.

Last year’s event welcomed almost 47,000 visitors and had over 200 exhibitors showing 646 boats, including 220 vessels on the marina – the show’s largest on-water display since 2018. This year’s event attracted 42,000 people.

In 2023, BIA commissioned, for the first time in the event’s history, an independent economic and social impact report of the show. The findings revealed the 2023 event had a A$345m (£177m) impact on the economy and created 980 jobs.

“The Sydney International Boat Show attracted 42,000 attendees and there were thousands more enjoying the non-ticketed areas where our Discover Boating activities were accessible to the general public,” says Scott.

“The social value and impact is important to BIA and it was great to see 87 per cent of attendees surveyed agree the event helps promote boating as a social and healthy family activity.”

An economic and social impact analysis, led by Farnbach Consulting Network, revealed the event added A$353m (£181m) to both national and New South Wales (NSW) economies. This figure includes direct economic contributions, supply-chain effects and consumption-related impacts. The NSW economy alone benefited from an additional A$243m (£125m).

The 2024 show set records, including 700 young attendees at the Marine Careers Days and over 1,500 participants in 10 marine-industry events. These conferences featured representatives from Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, and covered topics such as boating safety, vessel standards, marine careers, maritime property, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability in propulsion.

The Boating Safety Zone featured 13 state and federal government agencies, as well as non-government organisations, offering advice on safe and responsible boating.

While attendance was lower than in the previous year, BIA highlights that this trend mirrored declines in other major Sydney events, attributed to the subdued economy and cost of living pressures. Exhibitor costs also rose by 40 per cent, reflecting increased expenses in logistics, staff transport, accommodation and food, on top of rising venue costs.

BIA has organised this event, the largest in the Darling Harbour precinct, 55 times.

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