Genoa 49th International Boat Show to be held from 3 to 11 October at Fiera di Genova
1,450 exhibitors have already confirmed their presence, once more bear witness to the Show's key role and international leadership
The boating industry will meet the Italian Government on the opening day of the Show

Business and passion for the sea will be the buzz-words during the nine days of Genoa 49th International Boat Show. The Show, organised in partnership by Fiera di Genova and UCINA - Confindustria Nautica, the Italian recreational boating industry professional association, is going to be held in Genoa from 3 to 11 October.
The main new features of the Show - which will include powerboats, sailing boats, inflatables, engines, technical apparel, accessories, nautical tourism and services - were explained last week by Fiera di Genova SpA's Chairman, Mr Paolo Lombardi, UCINA's President, Mr Anton Francesco Albertoni, Fiera di Genova SpA's Managing Director, Mr Roberto Urbani, and UCINA's General Director, Marina Stella.

Genoa Boat Show is confirming its international leadership in the boating sector and is going to play an anti-crisis role thanks to the presence (as confirmed so far, more than 2 months before the Show) of 1,450 exhibitors and 2,400 boats on display. These figures confirm the great liveliness of this sector, which is ready to take advantage of the first signs of recovery and for which Genoa Boat Show is a "must be there" event for all market players. Over 37% of exhibitors will come from abroad, proving once more the Show's international significance. The large number of new products on display reflects the highly innovative features of this year's Show: only among boats, the number of expected new models currently exceeds 550.

On Tuesday, 2 October the new Pavilion B will be officially opened in the presence of its creator, architect Jean Nouvel.

For Saturday, 3 October - the first day of the Show -, after the opening ceremony, UCINA has organised the very first Boating Industry General Assembly, inviting the Italian Prime Minister and the Government to take part in an open, constructive discussion on some of the most topical issues for this sector.

During the Press Conference, Fiera di Genova and UCINA Top Managements announced that an agreement was signed today for the establishment of a new company aimed at building the necessary infrastructures and promoting the development of the New Docks. The main objectives of the company will be to make this area available, as appropriate, during the International Boat Show, for which it in an essential resource; during the other months of the year, to promote effectively and in an innovative and coordinated way the development of an integrated platform for recreational boating; and to further enhance the value of a very important part of Genoa's waterfront through appropriate actions and management solutions. By signing the agreement, the two parties, Fiera di Genova and Ucina, have committed themselves to setting up the NewCo and to take all other necessary technical-legal steps, involving also third parties, by 30 September 2009.

To its more-than-aware public and to professional operators (who in 2008 accounted for 17% among Italian visitors and 42% among foreigners), Genoa International Boat Show will offer TechTrade, the section devoted to components and accessories for pleasure boating. Monday, 5 and Tuesday, 6 will be the b2b preferential days.

Structural and layout changes
Following the completion of finishing works (outdoor and indoor reflecting false ceilings, system and ancillary fittings) in Jean Nouvel's new Pavilion B overlooking the sea, the 2009 layout of the pavilion's floating section (over one hundred and ten square metres in the water) has also been further improved by removing part of the former breakwater in Marina Uno, thus allowing for the direct connection between the new docks, Marina Uno, and the western docks, and extending the overall length of the pathways along the sea to almost nine kilometres. After making its debut last year, the western basin will again be used for sailing boats. As regards ashore areas - four pavilions, a tensile structure by the sea and large outdoor areas - the layout of the TechTrade section in pavilion C and of the shopping area in the second gallery of pavilion S has been modified. The trade press will be hosted in the partially sheltered areas of pavilion S. This year too, the twenty-thousand-square-metre ground floor of pavilion S will be entirely used to display power boats up to 12 metres, "package" boats (inflatables and rigid boats with engine), and outboard engines. Electronic instruments and equipment for sports fishing, ports & marinas and related services, as well as financial & leasing services will be again located in the first gallery. Other inflatable boats and other trade publications will be hosted in pavilion D; inboard and inboard-outboard engines, engine accessories, and generators will be on display on the ground floor of pavilion C, while the institutions in charge of safety at sea will be in pavilion C's gallery. Pavilion B will be the stage for power boats up to 16 metres at the quay-level. The upper floor will host inflatable boats, while some of the leading Italian and international brands will be displayed under the tensile structure.

The general scenario
The international economic crisis, which began last October, has certainly had an impact on sector results in 2008. However, thanks to a more-than-positive trend in the first nine months of the year, the drop in demand resulting from the downward trend in financial markets has only zeroed the overall growth in turnover. Essentially, the boating sector's total turnover was 3.8 billion €, with a +0.5 % deviation against 2007.

A detailed analysis of results will be provided in La Nautica in cifre (The Boating Industry in Figures), the dossier published by UCINA in cooperation with the University of Genoa - Economics and Quantitative Methods Department.

Starting in April, the boating industry has witnessed some first tentative signs of recovery, resulting not so much from improved market conditions, but, rather, from the important role played by recreational boating, meant as culture and love for the sea and for cruising.
This was confirmed by a recent survey carried out by Ucina-Ispo regarding the Italians' attitude towards the sea and boating, which revealed that freedom (for 42% of respondents), adventure (35%) and passion (31%) are the three core motivations for Italian yachtspeople.
Those were indeed the answers given by 67% of respondents. The percentage rises to 93% among yachtspeople (i.e. people who own a boat or at least go cruising on a regular basis), while only 25% considers boats as a status symbol. 49% of boat owners also said they are willing to use their boat more often in the next twelve months. To make their dream of enjoying a boat come true, 16% of Italians has chosen shared ownership, 3% leasing.

Conferences and side events
Today more than ever, cooperating with the institutions is vital to effectively tackle the current crisis, sustain competitiveness, and show a common will to define a sound national policy for the boating sector. To this aim, UCINA decided to organise the first Boating Industry General Assembly - which will be held on 3 October (the opening day of the Show) -, inviting the Italian Prime Minister and as many as 10 Ministers (Transport and Infrastructures, Economic Development, Economy and Finance, Welfare, Defence, Education University and Research, Tourism, the Environment, Regulatory Simplification, and Regional Affairs).
The assembly will have the goal of identifying practical, effective solutions to some of the main issues involving the boating sector, including taxation, protected marine areas, the creation of a widespread boating culture, and the organisation of nautical tourism.

Besides this important event, UCINA has also drawn up a calendar of round tables devoted to specific themes.

Here are the themes that will be debated by various panels of experts during the Boat Show: The boating industry - a new geography of "Made in Italy"; Nautical tourism as a driving force for coastal areas: from ports to inland areas; EU boating policies for the Mediterranean; The Boating Sector meets the Environment; When the sea washes schools: from playing to building a career.

This year too, Genoa International Boat Show will offer the public a real chance to experience sailing first hand, thanks to a spacial basin for trying out small centre-board boats, set up in the Piazza delle Feste in the Old Port, which for the occasion will turn into the "Navigar m'è dolce" village.

During the Boat Show, the village will become a reference point for all those wishing to get closer to the world of boating and the sea: indeed, thanks to the cooperation with the sea school Scuola DiMare and the "Navigar m'è dolce" partners, various teaching initiatives will be organised to provide an overview of the charm of the sea and the opportunities to sail, describe applicable rules (safety), provide training (where and how it is possible to learn how to sail), and offer information on boats (a guide to purchasing and services).
Starting in September, the website www.navigarmedolce.it will allow participants to register online and book activities at the Navigar m'è dolce Village.

Inside the fairground, the Sea Theatre will host a rich calendar of side events, giving the public the chance to discover boating and the sea. Conferences, meetings, and sports events will animate the fairground.
Many books will also be presented during the Show: from the one written by Admiral Piero Carpani devoted to "La più bella del mondo - Nave Scuola Amerigo Vespucci" (The most beautiful in the world - School Ship Amerigo Vespucci), which last month was awarded the Premio del Mare of Sanremo Casino, to the tale of a dream come true: a voyage around the world as told by Gabriele Olivo, the only Italian participant in the latest Volvo Ocean Race (A bordo di Telefonica Blue - Diario di bordo della Volvo Ocean race 2008/2009" - Aboard Telefonica Blue - Journal from the Volvo Ocean Race 2008/2009).

The calendar of side events hosted at the Sea Theatre will include the presentation of the Italiana Cup, the International Match Race regatta for crews under the age of 18, and of "Acquaticità e sicurezza 0-12 anni" (Water skills and safety from 0 to 12 years), a Water Safety and Education campaign for children aged 0 to 12.

The Show will also be the perfect occasion to present Premio Carlo Marincovich, the Prize named after the unforgettable Italian sailing journalist, and the contest "Una barca per tutti" (A boat for everyone) organised by Aspronadi and devoted to all those designers that want to take up the challenge of proposing innovative ideas for the design of new models. Traditional events at Genoa International Boat Show will include the 11th Nautical Marathon organised by UCINA, Circolo Nautico Mandraccio and Yacht Club Città di Genova, and the 31st International Optimist Meeting - 13th Trophy Umberto Pitti, whose prize-giving ceremonies will be held on Sunday, 11th October.

The website www.genoaboatshow.com
The Boat Show's website has been further enhanced this year in the Services area, enabling exhibitors to access a dedicated area for the management of all necessary formal procedures, and in the Information area, with an in-progress page allowing to buy tickets on-line, book visits to individual stands, consult the Show's catalogue, and find useful information on accommodation and initiatives in town, as well as previews on new models on display at the Show.

TV coverage
The presence of Raisport studios and staff at the Boat Show and the live broadcasting of TV programme Lineablu on the Italian national channel Raiuno have already been confirmed.

Sponsors
For the first time ever at Genoa International Boat Show, Rolex will be the "official watch" of this 49th Show, and will join a pool of sponsors including Allianz and Banca Carige.

The "Welcoming Project" and the Info Points at the Show
Shuttle buses from the airport, railway stations, parking areas, and the main hotels in town (including 3-star hotels), an information kit for all Show visitors, and a large Information stand inside the Show will be the core elements of the new, enhanced 2009 "Welcoming Project" organised by Fiera di Genova and UCINA in cooperation with the City Promotion Board (including Genoa Municipality, Genoa Province, Genoa Chamber of Commerce, Genoa Port Authority) and the Liguria Region. All the above-mentioned services have been developed to make the visitors' stay in town more enjoyable, and will also include a bus line connecting the Boat Show to the city centre, devoted to shopping and a tour of the city, as well as connections with the hotels along the two Rivieras and with the Valle Scrivia. The improvement in accommodation services in Genoa for this year's Boat Show results also from specific agreements promoted by Genoa Chamber of Commerce, like the one signed with the restaurants members of Fepag-Ascom and Fiepet-Confesercenti, which will offer Boat Show exhibitors and fitters a 10% discount on their "Menù Qualità-Territorio". The list of participating restaurants will be published on the website www.genoaboatshow.com.
To make visiting the show easier for the public, ten dedicated information desks will be located in key areas - six outdoor and four in the pavilions.

Opening hours, entrances, parking in town, and boat services
The Show will be open every day from 10 am to 6.30 pm. The entrance ticket will cost 15 Euros, concessions 12 Euros. Free entrance for children up to the age of 6 and concessions for groups of at least 30 people. There will be three accessways to the Show: from the Eastern Gate in Piazzale Kennedy; on the western side through the Ship Repair area (Riparazioni Navali); and from the quay reserved to ferry boats transporting passengers from the Old port, Pegli, and any other parking areas located in the port. Dogs, on the leash and muzzled, will be admitted to the Show. Like every year, the organisers recommend the use of public transport - trains, buses (frequency will be increased and a special line will be added), taxies, and ferries. Over 6 thousand parking spots will be available close to the fair and exhibition centre, and will be highlighted by ad-hoc signs.

Moving freely around the fairground
For those who have difficulties in walking, this year too Fiera di Genova - in cooperation with Terre di Mare (Genoa Provincial centre for accessibility and tourism for the disabled) and with the technical-operating support of the social cooperative La Cruna - will set up a dedicated ticket counter and accessway in Piazzale Kennedy as well as a welcoming service making available four-wheel electrical scooters and wheelchairs to ensure everyone can visit the Show freely. An ad-hoc map showing the recommended routes will be distributed, while an on-demand shuttle service will connect nearby parking areas to the Show. Reservations and information: 339.1309249 - 010.542098 www.terredimare.it


Fiera di Genova Spa Press Office
Giusi Feleppa - Graziella Bonini - Matilde Bardella
tel. +39 010.5391211 - 262 - 394
ufficiostampa@fiera.ge.it

UCINA Press Office
Chiara Castellari
tel. +39 010.5769812 - Fax +39 010.5531104
promotion@ucina.net
Barabino & Partners:
Danila Sabella tel. 02.72023535
d.sabella@barabino.it
Giulia Faravelli tel. 010.2725048
g.faravelli@barabino.it