Sail-World.com : SCIBS day one CANCELLED!
For the first time in its 21 year history, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has rescheduled its opening date to Friday, May 22 due to high winds and driving rains.
'We can’t control the weather.' Never a truer word was said, and as brides and boat show organizers will attest, it can make all the difference to an important occasion.
Very strong winds and unexpected high rainfall have meant organisers have cut Thursday from the program, in the interests of public safety.
The Show will operate as planned on Friday, May 22, Saturday, May 23 and Sunday May 24 from 9am to 5pm daily.
'The unexpected and sudden development of very strong winds and high rainfall today has delayed set up,' said Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show general manager Mark Jensen.
'We want to ensure people really can enjoy this spectacular world class marine event and for this reason, we have rescheduled the start date to this Friday, May 22.'
The Show has attracted 406 exhibitors with at least 105 world and Australian marine product releases. .
As record rain falls in the south-east – officially the wettest May for 15 year – the SCIBS organizing committee is disappointed by not phased.
The Show is one of the largest shows in Australasia in exhibitor terms and has maintained its status as a significant marine event.
'These very difficult and sudden poor weather conditions have forced us to cut the Thursday opening from the Show. However visitors can expect a great event when we open Friday. The official opening will be rescheduled to Friday as well.'
All ticket and visitor entry and transport arrangements will operate as planned on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Any Boat Show visitors who have purchased online tickets can use a Thursday ticket for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
'This is very unfortunate for everyone however we have made this decision in the interests of public visitor and exhibitor safety and to ensure that when we do open on Friday, everyone has a great event,' said Mr Jensen. Park ‘n’ Ride and transport arrangements remain the same for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
According to event manager, Phil Shaw, no displays or events will be cancelled. 'It’s all going ahead as planned. There have been no incidents and no changes to the program.' Around 40% of the precinct is undercover, including the pavilions, displays and restaurants, shops and entertainment venues.
'There’s plenty to see and do. People won’t be disappointed. Numbers will be down, that’s a given, but it is forecast to fine up over the weekend, which is our busiest time, so you never know!'
Industry veteran and Powerboat-World.com editor, Bob Wonders, who has seen all 20 of the SCIBS events so far, says he is gobsmacked. 'There have been occasion when heavy ran has hit the show. In fact, I think there were two in succession, but certainly, while it was heavy tropical style downpour, it has never forced a cancellation before.'
Bob continues: 'It will definitely have an impact on sales and will also cause problems with the many launches which had been arranged for the Thursday. The difficulties that many of the exhibitors will face is getting in touch with those invited to the launches, who are all in transit. There would also be plenty of people who have arrived on the Gold Coast for the official opening and then going home, one assumes. They will miss out.'
by Jeni Bone
7:22 AM Wed 20 May 2009 GMT
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