Over the years Boat Show organisers have trotted out a bewildering array of excuses to explain away disappointing visitor figures: transport strikes, tyre fires, the timing of Christmas and the wrong type of snow are traditional favourites.
Knotika however, organisers of the 2nd Kuwait Boat Show, shunned the opportunity to hide behind a ‘forces behind our control' defence when the event was struck by a truly destructive shamal.
Having successfully managed to get the show ready for its opening on 29th April, the organisers awoke the following morning to find heavy winds and a perma-cloud of sand battering the exhibition.
Throughout the day the wind continued to increase and, due to the destruction, the show remained closed on Health and Safety grounds.
Working in stifling heat and humidity, both Knotika and the exhibitors were then engaged in a frantic race to open in time on 31st April - a feat they achieved.
Full credit must be given to the Knotika team, not only for ensuring ‘the show went on' in the face of extreme difficulty, but also organising a marine exhibition that claimed to be 'the best ever' in Kuwait.
Despite opening for only four of the five days planned, Knotika reported year-on-year growth for the event.
"We were delighted with the results of this year's event and the extremely positive feedback we received from the general public and our international exhibitors" said Wael Juju, KBSI owner, organiser and CEO of Knotika Holding.
"The US$50 million of business transactions that were made during the show represent a significant increase of over 40 percent over last year's results. This is a strong indication of Kuwait's strength and expertise in this market when coupled with the very encouraging 12,000 visitors to the event."
The turn-out by local dealers and distributors was seriously bolstered by household names from here in the UAE, keen to display their wares in the most established marine market in the GCC. ART Marine once again secured the most exclusive location at the Show in the Central Marina.
The company displayed a selection of their Italian motor yachts: the Azimut 42, Azimut 50, Azimut 68 and Azimut 75. ART's Benetti Tradition also made a debut for the Kuwaiti market.
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