Challenges and Opportunities
Boat Show: Key Selling Tool
Additional good news was found in the study indicating boat shows are highly important in the boat buying process and that visitors to shows are generally satisfied with what they find there. The industry is beneficiary of approximately 200 boat shows held annually across the nation.
Research confirms almost all recent buyers have been to a boat show and that two-thirds attended one or more shows during the six months prior to a purchase. More than 40 percent of recent new boat buyers either ordered their boat at a show or bought it from a dealer they spoke with at a show. Show goers were moderately satisfied with boating displays, ease of shopping and the time of year shows are held.
RPC members discussed a need for additional research to find ways to get more people to the shows, determine their shopping processes and track their actions after the show to see if a standardized follow-up routine could be established. They called on NMMA Boat Shows and the Shows Committee to assist regional and local shows to help them grow and better serve buyers' needs and to consider, among other enhancements, broadening the availability of boat demonstrations at in-water shows.
