This year the Biograd Boat Show, 17-18 October, celebrates its 21st show, after a successive run of 20 straight record shows. This is Central Europe’s in-water show attracting many visitors and exhibitors from neighbouring countries, and the biggest meeting point for Croatia’s nautical industry, marking the end of the boating season and the start of a new business year.
The show continues to gain international popularity among both exhibitors and visitors due to the Croatia’s importance as a boating destination, and Ilirija’s well managed facilities including Marina Kornati, Ilirija hotels, restaurants, and entertainment facilities. Favourable pricing for all adds to the leisurely atmosphere, while a pontoon bridge links the main marina with Marina Kornati West, offering a unique and attractive in-water exhibition. Due to the waiting list of exhibitors, Ilirija is working to include more space to accommodate additional exhibitors to provide a better visitor experience. This year, a fourth exhibition hall will be added near the show, to accommodate a new business to business (B2B) event for the yacht charter industry.
Sunset marks the end of the exhibition day and the beginning of an on-site evening program offering great food and live entertainment each night, continuing into the town centre until the late hours. It is the many side events that take place in this intimate, pedestrian friendly, seaside town that creates the unique BBS Experience. This is the key to the show’s success, visible in the eyes of the locals as well as many affluent visitors from Central Europe that make a holiday of the event. As usual, expect some new surprises.
