Boat Expo: Everybody wins at Jersey Shore Boat Expo

Just a FYI, today is the last day.

Everybody wins at Jersey Shore Boat Expo

After last year's success, group returns with show that's good for dealers, buyers, industry


By JOHN OSWALD • STAFF WRITER • May 14, 2010
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The Marine Trades Association, organizer of the Jersey Shore Boat Sale & Expo at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood, wants to make everybody happy — the dealers, the buyers, its members and those who just want to come and browse.






If last year's fall show is any indication, they will succeed.
"The show last fall worked out very well so we expanded it for this this year, with more than 30 lines of boats and more than 50 booth exhibitors," said Rick Traber, president of the Marine Trades Association and owner of Pier 47 Marina in Wildwood.
"This is the last spring show that's going to offer consumers a chance to look at so many boat lines in one location where they can compare features and benefits," Traber said. "And it may be the last chance for buyers to get a good deal on a boat for this coming season because most boat dealers have been clearing out their inventory and been very conservative in reordering.
"There's a chance customers may not get the boat they want for this season if they wait too long," he added.
In what has been a crazy couple of years in the boating business, demand, it appears, has picked up, while the supply has not.
The Jersey Shore Boat Sale and Expo begins today at FirstEnergy Park, home of the Lakewood BlueClaws. The three-day event runs today, Saturday and Sunday and will feature 14 local marine retailers displaying multiple lines of boats, plus a Boater Marketplace, where a wide variety of boating products and services will be available. The Expo will also offer a selection of pre-owned boats, a feature not normally found at other boat shows.
"That kind of the nice thing about this show in that it allows dealers to bring some pre-owned boats, whereas most boat shows are geared to new product," said Don Ditzel, sales manager, Comstock Yacht Sales & Marina in Brick.
For the dealer, there are other advantages to the Jersey Shore Expo.
"It's kind of a no-brainer for a dealer to say yes to this show because your looking at a lot less for a booth space versus an indoor show where you can spend, $10, 15 or even $30,000 in some cases," said Ditzel." So from a return on investment standpoint, it's much more affordable.

http://www.app.com/article/20100514/...hore-Boat-Expo