Press Releases
View All Press Releases| Dubai International Boat Show 2010 | 20 Feb 2010 |
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW WILL BE CATALYST FOR MIDDLE EAST BOATING INDUSTRY
Internationally-Renowned Boat Designer Donald Starkey to Deliver Keynote Address at the Annual Gulf Boating Conference;
‘Green Marine’ to be Top Trend for Industry in 2010
The Dubai International Boat Show is set to inject life into the Middle East boating industry, according to one of the world’s leading yacht designers.
Donald Starkey, the founder of internationally renowned Donald Starkey Design, will inform delegates at the sixth Gulf Boating Conference that green marine technical developments and projects to be unveiled at the show will contribute to the injection of new life into the industry, during his keynote address.
The Gulf Boating Conference runs alongside the Dubai International Boat Show and Dive Middle East Exhibition (DMEX) and takes place at the Westin Dubai, Mina Seyahi on 10 March 2010, starting at 8.30am.
“Whilst we are experiencing the most difficult times ever in the leisure marine industry, new technologies and a focus on more environmentally-friendly engineering could be a catalyst to help move the market forward,” said Donald Starkey. “There are global and regional signs of increasing confidence in the overall economic situation returning to the market and that better times are on the way.”
Starkey added: “Now is an appropriate time for people to be encouraged to invest in a new boat as a means of enjoyment and escaping the stresses of work by spending quality time with friends and family. Waterside facilities in the region should continue to be developed in a way that makes this possible. The spin off effect on other leisure and service businesses will be felt in a very positive way.”
“The Dubai International Boat Show is the ideal platform to bring the industry together and help companies kick start new business in 2010,” he concluded.There will be 13 Global Launches and 25 Regional Premiers on show at the Dubai International Boat Show, as international companies recognise the opportunities still available in the Middle East.
Leading industry experts at this year’s Gulf Boating Conference will join Donald Starkey to discuss a broad range of topics including an address from Erwin Bamps, Chief Operating Officer, Gulf Craft on the ‘Current Situation in the Middle East and Future Plans’, while Angelo Tossio, Marpol Surveyer for DNV Maritime Services will focus on ‘Green Marine, Technology and Boat Design’. Other topics include ‘Marina Update and Future Plans’, ‘Boat Manufacturing – Trends in the Low Cost Areas of Manufacture’ and ‘Current Situation: Where is the Middle East industry going?’.
An expert panel discussion will also be led by senior representatives of the boating industry including Andrew Wagner, Managing Director, Al Massaood Marine; Constantinos Constantinou, President and CEO, ART Marine; Toby Hawes, Business Development Manager, Hatteras Collection UAE and Simon Arrol, Principal, The Arrol Consultancy Ltd.
The Gulf Boating Conference is chaired by industry expert Doctor Mohammed Hamdan Al Shamsi, who is anticipating an invaluable day of knowledge exchange. “We are delighted to have some of the most influential names in the leisure marine industry and believe that the Gulf Boating Conference will help to generate new ideas to cement a strong foundation for future growth in the region.”
There are limited places available for the sixth Gulf Boating Conference. Interested delegates are asked to book their place by contacting dubai.boatshow@dwtc.com
Dubai International Boat Show takes place from 9 – 13 March 2010 at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) - Mina Seyahi. The show is open to trade visitors and general public from 3pm – 9.30pm daily.
Admission is AED 55 per person for all attendees without an invitation. Children under 12 will be admitted free and must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Access to the Marina Display Area may be restricted at certain times. For more information please visit www.boatshowdubai.com
