Best poster prize in 2011!

The Grand Pavois, international in-water boat show, is held each year in La Rochelle since 1973, and has received for the second year the prize for the best visual category "Fairs welcoming general public" given by the Federation of Fairs, Exhibitions, Conferences, Events in France (FSCEF).

The Grand Pavois in a new light

A few months before the show begins, we can already say that the 39th edition will be a "good one" on the side of news. First, the news of the show, which this year, changes its face and made punchy and innovative choices for its thematic areas. The purpose of such reorganization is to offer exhibitors the opportunity to better showcase their products, to facilitate the movement of visitors and to increase the number of boats on land and those that are available for sea trials.

New development inside the boat show
Besides the fact that the main entrance passes to the west, to be closer to the Press Centre / Pommery Club, the equipments, engines and accessories hall, the large boats and multihulls pontoons and the fishing space that also have migrate to the west.
The other big news this year is the organization of the boats afloat. Indeed the visitor's favourite space will be this year revolutionized: "Although today 97% of our exhibitors are satisfied with the overall organization of the Grand Pavois, we must, as an organizer of the event, develop and propose new solutions to marine professionals to maximize the visibility of their products and their innovations. We must also meet the expectations of our passionate audience, who comes to the Grand Pavois to discover the World previews, to try the boats at sea and to find concrete answers to their questions. “ stated Alain Pochon, President of the Grand Pavois.

Private marinas and boat available for tests
Big changes for boats afloat. The "Large boats pontoon" that was located Pontoon 15 since 2008, moves to the dock 10 ter, near the new main - West - entrance. The largest available width between the pontoons at this point permits to optimize the exhibitions of large models. The Multihulls pontoon, traditionally at the dock 14, moves at pontoon 10, to stay close to the large boats and to benefit from a larger area of exposure. The pontoon 14 is now dedicated to exhibit other boatyards models and the pontoon 15 will display the wooden boats.

The private marinas: New in 2011! The Grand Pavois offers this year to the exhibitors to own "private marinas". Trademarks can delimit by transverse pontoons their exhibition space in a way to present their models and ranges all together, with specific reception desks. These "mini-marinas" will be decorated in the colours of the manufacturers.

More boats available for tests
The space for boats available for tests is doubled and forty locations will be offered to exhibitors. The "Grand Pavois Fishing" boats will be located on the same dock near the new location of the Fishing Space.

The exhibitor’s news: + 25% over 2010
To date, the list of new boats given by the exhibitors is up by 25% over 2010. Indeed, at the same period last year we announced 75 new products for 102 today. Whether for powerboats or sailing boats, the 2011 Grand Pavois promises to be set under the sign of innovation and dynamism.

104 000 top-quality visitors!

The 2010 Grand Pavois was very expected by professionals and is undoubtedly a success. The sun shined, numerous visitors strolled along the pontoons and the alleys and all the exhibitors made sales. Optimism reigns again for many yards that left the boat show with signed contracts and purchases promises.

The 38th Grand Pavois ended last evening. Alain Pochon - President - said at the closing press conference: “It is too early to do the 2010 edition complete record. The Grand Pavois just closed its doors. But I can tell that it is a great edition, for visitors and professionals. What we know by now is that we had a 3% increase in the number of visitors with 104 000 people that came to the boat show. This is an important fact when we know that most of the boat shows have a frequentation decline. We noticed the come back of visitors that did not come for one or two years. Plus, they intended to buy! We also quoted a non-French visitors number increase with Spanish, English, Belgian and Swiss, Brazilian and Italian mostly. On the side of France, the visitors came from the West coast and the main Western cities, from Paris and the 2010 new comers where from the Mediterranean coasts. That is very interesting for us. Finally we had a 20% increase of professional visitors (ed. Pass’port nautique).”

Relief is for sure observable at the end of the boat show. And optimism reigns. “Confidence seems to be back and optimism reigns at the end of the boat show. However, we cannot yet talk about industry revival. It seems to start again slowly after a violent hinder but the activities levels will, this is my opinion, need some years to reach those of the “golden” years. Still, the atmosphere was very pleasant and our customers never stopped sailing… That is already very comforting. It seems to me that the customers - by now - consider the purchases that were not done because of the crisis. All sectors and all the professionals that attended the boat show made sales. The boatyards admit a renewed interest for boats from 35 to 38 feet, which is new. As an ending, we can say that the Grand Pavois is a business boat show. Professionals tell us so and confirm it each year. Now, we hope that it will continue for the next weeks and months.”

2011 Grand Pavois…
“The 2011 Grand Pavois will be held from the 14th to the 19th of September. This edition starts an important countdown for the association. In 2012 the Grand Pavois will celebrate its 40th edition!” said Alain Pochon, President of the Grand Pavois, as a conclusion to the Press Conference.

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