o Over 104 000 visitors in six days
o A boat show representing the French leisure marine market
o A exhibition surface of 100,000 sqm
o 832 International exhibitors
o 700 boats including 330 afloat

The 35th edition of the Grand Pavois closed its doors the 24th of
September 2007. 832 exhibitors from 35 countries on a 100,000 sqm show exhibition surface. The Grand Pavois welcomed 104,500 visitors over 6 six days.
12 thematic areas, 700 boats, 330 boats afloat. Croatia was the guest of honour country for 2007. Dates for 2008: 10-15 September.

Alain Pochon, Grand Pavois President: “The Grand Pavois had the benefit of excellent weather conditions.

Concerning the visitors, we completely respected our objectives and welcomed over 104,000 visitors. We have accredited 250 French journalists and 40 journalists from the International press. We welcomed several delegations of Irish, Chinese, Portuguese, and
South African industry representatives… In the end, we estimate the audience for Night Sails at about 35,000 persons.”

“ The Grand Pavois is for sure a business show.
Many sales were done this year again. We can quote an increase in sailing boats sales due to the new ranges proposed by boat manufacturers and constructors. Also, we noticed an increasing interest in motorboats over 50 feet. By contrast, it is arguably more difficult for units under 6 meters.

Multihulls sold well too. The global feeling at the end of  the Grand Pavois 2007 is that it was a good show according to the shipyards, some even said it was the best ever!

Leisure marine listings and further information can be found at boatpartsdatabase.

Nevertheless, we noted a decline of small leisure marine equipment sales (for example VHF radio and GPS equipment) due to the increase in Internet sales. The inflatable and semi-rigid craft sales are also declining.”

The Grand Pavois : the one for real fans  Christophe Vieux, Director of the Grand Pavois: “We did a visitor’s survey courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Based on 1,200 surveys, we already can tell waht the trends are. 1/3 of the persons surveyed were boat owners,

40% thinking about buying a new boat. The others say that they sail on friends’ boats, rent boats or practice a water sport.
The areas the visitors prefer are: the afloat exhibition, the Guest of Honour Country Hall, the Wood Village and the Extreme sports and Light Sailing Village. Looking at the International presence, the most represented countries are: Spain, Great Britain and Belgium. Also we had visitors from Japan, China, Namibia and even Uzbekistan!”

Alain Pochon, Grand Pavois President: “The Pool and relax area has been a success and the exhibitors asked for more exhibition surface. The new version of the Extreme Sports and Light Sailing Village is a complete success. The professionals are fully satisfied. Also, we are happy with the quayside exhibition area, but we are convinced of the necessity to increase the afloat exhibition surface. That is why we are working on having a second
exhibition site in 2008 that would be the Bassin des Chalutiers in La Rochelle. That would enable us to host bigger units, bigger sailing boats with bigger drafts. Also, we are thinking about a fishing area - again in 2008 - and a brokers' area.”

“The 2008 Grand Pavois will be set from Wednesday the 10th to Monday the 15th of September. You should know that we pick our
dates 5 years in advance depending on the tides coefficients. We will choose the dates for the next five years, this year.”

The Grand Pavois 2007 …a summary…
􀃎 Dates: 19 - 24 September from 10am to 7m
ô€ƒŽ Where: Minimes Harbour – La Rochelle
􀃎 One of the Top 5 biggest International afloat boat show
􀃎 100,000 sqm exhibition surface and 2,5 km of pontoons.
􀃎 700 boats, over 300 afloat.
􀃎 832 exhibitors
􀃎 Over 35 nations represented
􀃎 Over 250 journalists accredited in six jours.
􀃎 25 millions Euros generated on the local economy (not including the boat or equipment sales)
Press contacts:
GRAND PAVOIS
Port des Minimes, avenue du Lazaret
17042 La Rochelle Cedex 1
tél : +33 5 46 44 46 39
fax : +33 5 46 45 32 24
www.grand-pavois.com

pgarenne@grand-pavois.com / fbouillard@grand-pavois.com / communication@grand-pavois.com