BIA on board
Andrew Scott, Chief Executive Officer of the BIA Ltd, has been invited to join the Executive of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO) as Treasurer.
11 June 2024
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Recently elected President of IFBSO, Niels Klarenbeek reached out to BIA to get more involved in this valuable international collaboration and it was received as the “ideal opportunity to build on this significant partnership”.
Niels has served as Director of the global marine event METSTRADE (Amsterdam) for four years and successfully steered the world’s largest marine tradeshow through the challenging pandemic period. Neils succeeds Anne Dunbar from IBEX, who led the organization for the past two years.
“Boat shows are a vital showcase for the boating industry, bringing products and boaters together,” said Niels following his appointment, 29 May 2024. “Nowhere else can consumers so extensively view and compare the industry’s offerings to make informed decisions.
“IFBSO’s mission is to foster cooperation among exhibition operators and advance the industry to better meet the needs of customers and adapt to rapid changes,” he continued. “I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead the continuous development of the exhibition industry through IFBSO.”
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IFBSO represents the world’s leading boat shows and is dedicated to helping member organisations mount cost-effective, quality exhibitions for the recreational marine industry around the world, by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and the development of co-operation between members.
IFBSO also encourages its members to commit to environmental sustainability concerning all aspects of their individual shows and for them to appeal to their customers to do the same.
Andrew Scott, CEO of BIA Ltd, holds public practice qualifications in Accounting and has worked for the past 35 years in CFO roles in industries including marine, hospitality and mining, as well as consulting to and working within small to medium organisations.
At the IFBSO Annual General Meeting the new Board of Directors was confirmed, and includes Treasurer Andrew Scott (BIA Australia), Felix Klaarman (Interboot, Friedrichshafen), Daniel Barkowski (Boot & Fun, Berlin), Jussi Kivikari (Helsinki International Boat Show), Jennifer Thompson (NMMA, USA), Jerry Flaxman (Atlantic City Boat Show, USA), Anne Dunbar (IBEX, USA) and Niels Klarenbeek (METSTRADE, Amsterdam).
For the BIA, this is a golden opportunity to grow the value of the Sydney International Boat Show, which is now the next major boating event on the calendar in Australia.
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show each May and the Sydney International Boat Show in August are part of the IFBSO calendar of internationally recognising events.
Andrew Scott commented, “As to the Sydney International Boat Show, we’re now pulling out all stops to deliver a wonderful event for our members, exhibitors, partners and public over four days in Darling Harbour.
“Plenty of preparatory work has already been undertaken, but there’s more to do as we approach the event, which this year is expected to attract more than 50,000 people to a show that last year returned an economic output of $345 million and created 980 jobs.
“The show has also proven itself as high value to the public, with surveys revealing 71 percent of attendees agree the show helps promote and educate a healthy lifestyle through boating, while 85 percent of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the event helps to promote and educate boating as a social and/or family activity.
“In addition, 75 percent strongly agreed or agreed that the show helps to promote participation in boating to people of all ages, genders, abilities, and budgets.
“The BIA aims to build upon the successes of last year and that includes expanding the Discover Boating promotions both in the Halls and the Darling Harbour public domain, and in the lead-in advertising/marketing campaign.”
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