Record Year of support for the Poole Harbour Boat Show

Event organiser, Poole Harbour Commissioners has confirmed that the 2018 Poole Harbour Boat Show in association with Sunseeker has seen a record amount of support for its fourth annual event. The boat show, which is to be held at the award-winning Poole Quay Boat Haven from 8th to 10th June, boasts a strong line-up of sponsors, exhibitors and partners for 2018.

Leading the prestigious sponsor roster is global brand Sunseeker, who has been the ‘in association’ sponsor for the event hailed “the south coast’s biggest ever free to attend boat show” since its inception in 2015.

Bryan Jones, Marketing Manager at Sunseeker International, commented “Being Dorset-based we are delighted to be part of the biggest free boat show in the south. Not only will we have our award-winning Manhattan 66 on display, it will be a a great opportunity for prospective new employees to meet our recruitment team and find out about what apprenticeships and career options we have available.”

The British luxury motor yacht manufacturer, will be returning with the ‘Sunseeker Sessions’ live music stage. A central feature at the event, the stage will showcase a great range of British performances with musical talent from across the region.

Bryan went on to say: “After last year’s record attendance we’re expecting to see even higher numbers of boat enthusiasts descending on Poole Quay for the show, and the ‘Sunseeker Sessions’ stage will be a real focal point on the quayside. I would encourage all visitors to come and enjoy some great music whilst enjoying everything the Boat Show has to offer.”

In a true show of community spirit for the event, Anna Doyle, landlady of the Lord Nelson public house, has shown her support by partnering up with Poole Harbour Commissioners to help them bring a fantastic line-up to the ‘Sunseeker Sessions’ stage for 2018.

“We are delighted that Sunseeker has once again returned as the principal sponsor of the Poole Harbour Boat Show. Sunseeker is an internationally renowned brand and a cornerstone of the Poole economy. The ‘Sunseeker Sessions’ live music stage is a real highlight for the show and thanks to Anna from the Lord Nelson, this year’s line-up is promising to be better than ever” said Tracy Payne, marketing manager at Poole Harbour Commissioners.

Anna is well known locally for her music events and is the driving force behind the popular Blues on the Quay festival, which will return to Poole Quay form 7th - 9th September.

Continuing the impressive line-up of sponsors, Sibbett Gregory, Coleman Insurance, Conker Spirit, Elite Signs, Greenslade Pleasure Boats, Dorset Cruises, Lester Aldridge, PKF Francis Clark, British Marine Wessex, MS Amlin, MAC Marine Claims, Designosaur, Brittany Ferries and media partners, Bournemouth Daily Echo and Wave 105 have all pledged their support this year.

“We are delighted with the huge amount of support that we have received for the fourth annual Poole Harbour Boat Show. The event wouldn’t be possible without our show sponsors and media partners. We would like to extend our thanks to each and every one of them” said Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners.

Support from exhibitors continues to gain momentum year on year, and the quay side bookings are up 10 per cent on this time last year, with a strong mix of past and new brands including Weird Fish, Ray Marine and Two Bare Feet.

The marina exhibitors have also exceeded expectations with all berths selling out by mid-January. To keep up with demand, the boat show team reconfigured the marina space available to make room for extra vessels, resulting in the marina’s 2018 exhibition being bigger and better than ever. Marina exhibitors for 2018 include Sunseeker, Princess, Bayliner, Hylas Yachts, Cobra Ribs and Clipper Marine who will be launching its new Bavaria C45 Yacht in the UK for the first time.

“The Poole Harbour Boat Show in association with Sunseeker is the perfect opportunity for our visitors to see everything from standup paddleboards to multi-million-pound yachts” commented Kerrie Gray, manager of Poole Quay Boat Haven.

The Poole Harbour Boat Show in association with Sunseeker is free to attend and is open between 10:00 to 18:00 on 8th to 10th June 2018.