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Press Release

November 30, 2022

BOAT & FUN BERLIN continues to expand

Over 800 international exhibitors and brands reported good business and displayed a wide range of products and services focusing on water sports, adventure and mobility on, in and around water. From 24 to 27 November, over 48,000 visitors from all parts of Germany came to the boating and leisure exhibition on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds

Berlin, 29 November 2022 – From 24 to 27 November, on around 85,000 m² in 14 halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, the focus was on water sports, adventure and mobility on, in and around water. As one of the largest boating exhibitions with an emphasis on lakes, inland waterways and coastal waters, BOAT & FUN BERLIN not only presented trends and innovations for water sports enthusiasts and tourists, but also a wide range of exhibits for fishing enthusiasts, travelholics, fans of camping and outdoor activities. Together with Germany's largest trade fair on the popular sport of fishing – ANGLINGWORLD BERLIN –, AUTO CAMPING CARAVAN, TRANSPORTER DAYS BERLIN and for the first time the BERLIN TRAVEL FESTIVAL, BOAT & FUN BERLIN has become Germany’s largest boating and leisure exhibition for water sports, outdoor activities, adventure and travel.

“A wider range of products, more exhibitors, higher turnover – BOAT & FUN BERLIN continues to expand and is now even stronger than in the years before the pandemic. More international exhibitors, visitors from all parts of Germany – today BOAT & FUN BERLIN is much more than a regional trade fair in eastern Germany. We have become a major player in Germany and established ourselves as the exhibition and place to be for water sports, outdoor activities, adventure and travel. We are absolutely delighted that BOAT & FUN BERLIN has become a firm fixture on the calendar of international exhibitors and brands“, said Daniel Barkowski, the project manager for BOAT & FUN BERLIN, in his positive assessment of the trade fair. “We had good feedback from exhibitors. Expectations prior to the event were somewhat low due to a situation dominated by crises – so we were delighted to hear reports of numerous business deals, high turnover and keen interest in purchases“, Barkowski added.

With over 800 international exhibitors and brands on a display area of around 85,000 m², BOAT & FUN BERLIN’s results exceeded those of 2019, which was a record year. It means the trade fair is continuing to expand strongly – with more international exhibitors than ever. Taking part this year were companies and brands from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Hungary, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.

BOAT & FUN BERLIN presented an impressively wide range of brands and models for water sports and outdoor activities in the heart of Europe’s largest region for water sports. From canoes to luxury yachts – BOAT & FUN BERLIN displayed boats in practically every size and class, including many making their first appearance in Germany or on the world stage. Models from all the leading international brands and manufacturers were represented in Berlin, including from Alfastreet, Aqualine, Bavaria, Bayliner, Beneteau, Comitti, Delphia, Fjord, Frauscher, Galeon, Greenline, Interboat, Jeanneau, Karnic, Marex, Marian, Mastercraft, my-electroboat, Powerboat, Prestige, Quicksilver, Ryck, Sea Ray, Silver, Sunbeam, Tes Yacht, X Shore and Zodiac, as well as many others.

From Schleswig-Holstein to Bavaria – over 48,000 visitors from almost every corner of Germany came to see the 20th edition of BOAT & FUN BERLIN and were more than satisfied with the event, as was confirmed in an initial survey by Messe Berlin. Accordingly, over 90 per cent of the visitors polled were satisfied with their visit. Whether electrically powered or conventionally motorised models – this year, motorboats and motor yachts were again in demand. At the same time the Camping & Caravan, Equipment, Fishing, Sailing and Houseboat segments also attracted keen interest. Nine out of ten respondents said they would visit BOAT & FUN BERLIN again next year and also recommend the boating and leisure exhibition to relatives, friends and acquaintances.

Save the date: event dates in 2023

Water sports enthusiasts and tourists will already be meeting in August in Werder an der Havel, where from 25 to 27 August 2023 BOAT & FUN INWATER will be displaying boats in their usual surroundings for the sixth time. In late November, BOAT & FUN BERLIN will again be extending an invitation to this event in the halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, which traditionally opens with the GALA-NIGHT OF THE BOATS. The virtual platform of BOAT & FUN ONLINE is the third member of the BOAT & FUN brand family and available 365 days a year. The social media channels with their global reach and the website of BOAT & FUN each offer respective platform services.

Impressions from BOAT & FUN BERLIN 2022

Comments on BOAT & FUN BERLIN 2022

Stefan Naust, Beautiful Boats:
“The individually themed segments are what define BOAT & FUN BERLIN – visitors can navigate the fair easily and find out directly what interests them. Those keen on electric models can check out the E-Boat Salon for example. We felt very much at home here. We talked to lots of interested visitors on our stand who wanted to find out more about electric boats. We were particularly surprised as well as delighted by the crowds on the opening evening. The GALA-NIGHT OF THE BOATS really was a great start to a great trade fair.“

Norman Bauer, Boat Lounge:
“We have been coming back to BOAT & FUN BERLIN since 2006, and I must say that Daniel Barkowski and his team have elevated the boating and leisure exhibition here in the Berlin/Brandenburg region to another level. This is a fantastic development for the region and for Germany as well. I would actually go so far as to say that in Germany all we need is Boot in Düsseldorf and BOAT & FUN here in Berlin.“

Catina Buchardi, aqua marin – Boote und Yachten:
“Demand for electric boats is growing, there is keen interest. So it was fitting that with the presentation of the Delphia 10 LoungeTop, a world debut, we displayed a model that is also electrically powered. The response was impressive. In addition to customers, other retailers also came to the show to see the boat for themselves. Overall, we registered keen interest and feedback from both customers and trade visitors on the stand. Once again, we are extremely satisfied. We did good business and as a team enjoyed our stay in Berlin. It really was a wonderful, successful end-of-year event here at BOAT & FUN BERLIN.“

Olaf Lieberwirth, Reiseland Brandenburg: 
“For Reiseland Brandenburg, having the Berlin Travel Festival 2022 at a new venue was a success. The fascinating and diverse selection of companies at the festival resulted in excellent opportunities for networking and created a friendly atmosphere among exhibitors. We benefited from the wide range of visitors at the combined events and were able to fascinate them with the festival mood at the event and naturally by promoting Brandenburg as a travel destination along with the regions represented here.“

Tobias Girard, WeRoad:
“With so many various audiences at the event, we had interesting conversations and meetings with people and companies we would otherwise not have met. The Berlin Travel Festival under the umbrella of BOAT & FUN BERLIN had a different atmosphere, which also enabled us to enjoy much longer meetings with potential customers and partners.“

Dustin Schöne, Nays:
“This year was absolute madness for us. Lots of people on the stand, excellent meetings, a great atmosphere – altogether an all-round success. I thought 2021 was really good – but 2022 definitely topped that. Berlin is the ideal city for a trade fair like this, in particular because it has lots of water and many fishing enthusiasts come here. In my view, combining fishing, boats and water sports with camping and caravanning is a great idea because it naturally creates synergies.“

Kai Launhardt, Shimano:
“This year is the first time we were at ANGLINGWORLD BERLIN and I have to say my expectations were exceeded. We had a great many visitors on our stand, witnessed keen interest and had very positive feedback from all sides. ANGLINGWORLD BERLIN is a fantastic platform for the fishing scene. The exhibitor line-up was impressive and really was a highlight, not only for visitors but for us as exhibitors too.“

Portraits of those who commented on the event are available online. Simply click on the image above to access the selection.

Print-quality images of BOAT & FUN BERLIN 2022 can be found in our media archive at www.boot-berlin.de/en/press-service/photos/. Portraits of those who commented on the event have been compiled in a media kit which can be downloaded here.

You can find logos for your own use in the press section of BOAT & FUN.

Additional information on BOAT & FUN BERLIN is available online at www.boot-berlin.com, on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

About BOAT & FUN BERLIN

Every year during four days in November at BOAT & FUN BERLIN the focus is on leisure, adventure and mobility in, on and around water. The boating and leisure exhibition displays an impressive range of models and brands for boating and outdoor activities in the heart of Europe's largest region for water sports. This is an end-of-season event on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds for water sport enthusiasts to enjoy, where they can find out about the latest trends for next year and try out the hottest new water sports. The comprehensive displays of BOAT & FUN BERLIN are augmented by parallel joint events: in addition to Germany’s largest trade fair on the popular sport of fishing – ANGLINGWORLD BERLIN – AUTO CAMPING CARAVAN, TRANSPORTER DAYS BERLIN and – for the first time this year – the BERLIN TRAVEL FESTIVAL are all taking place under the same roof as BOAT & FUN BERLIN. www.boot-berlin.com

About Messe Berlin

Berlin has been a trade fair destination for 200 years, and has been one of the most important such hubs for many decades. Messe Berlin – the state’s own trade fair company – conceives, markets and organizes hundreds of live events every year. It strives to be an outstanding host for visitors at all events, generate optimal business stimuli, and provide fair conditions for everyone. This concept is reflected in the company slogan: Messe Berlin – Hosting the World.