Berlin, 7 December 2023 – As winter descended upon Germany with freezing temperatures, bringing with it the first snow on the first weekend of Advent, BOAT & FUN BERLIN on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds radiated a summer atmosphere, whetting appetites for the upcoming season of water sports and outdoor activities. From 30 November to 3 December 2023, on an area of more than 90,000 m² in 16 halls, the focus was on everything to do with water sports, adventure and mobility in, on and around water. As one of the largest boat shows for inland waterways and coastal waters, in addition to trends and innovations for fans of water sports and water tourism, BOAT & FUN BERLIN also offered fishing enthusiasts, travelholics, camping fans and outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of products and ample inspiration. In partnership with ANGLING WORLD BERLIN, Germany's largest trade fair on the popular sport of fishing, AUTO CAMPING CARAVAN and the BERLIN TRAVEL FESTIVAL, BOAT & FUN BERLIN is Germany's largest boating and leisure exhibition for water sports, outdoor activities, adventure and travel.

“This year the success story of BOAT & FUN BERLIN continues. What is particularly worth noting is the growing international participation in the event. As well as an annual increase in international exhibitors and brands at BOAT & FUN BERLIN, the proportion of visitors from other countries is growing too. That is a fantastic development and underlines the importance of BOAT & FUN. In Germany and Europe we are now among the leading players in the market, one of the most important exhibitions, and with that the first place people head to for water sports, outdoor activities, adventure and travel“, was the positive conclusion drawn by Daniel Barkowski, project manager for BOAT & FUN, at the close of the event. “And all this despite the challenging situation facing the industry: the rising cost of living, wars and crises in the world – there is widespread uncertainty in society. It is no surprise then that consumers are somewhat cautious as regards spending. Nevertheless, the feedback we received from exhibitors after the event was positive. Visitors, and thus potential buyers, expressed their interest. The stands were full and there were lots of promising talks. Yet again, it shows what a trade fair can achieve. They are sources of information, inspiration and dialogue – trade fairs bring people together so they can meet and talk. That is the basis for long-term successful business“, Barkowski added.

BOAT & FUN BERLIN exhibited an impressive range of models and brands for boating and outdoor activities in the heart of Europe's largest region for water sports. From canoes to luxury yachts – at BOAT & FUN BERLIN almost every class and size of boat was on show, including many debuting on the German, European and world stage. Models from all the leading international boat makes and manufacturers were on display in Berlin, among them Alfastreet, Antaris, Aqualine, Balt, Bavaria, Bayliner, Beneteau, Campi Boats, Delphia, Finval, Fjord, Floating Homes, Galeon, Greenboats, Greenline, Interboat, Hydrolift, Jeanneau, Karnic, Linssen Yachts, Luxboot, Marex, Marian, Mastercraft, Nautilus, Powerboat, Prestige, Quicksilver, Saffier Yachts, Sea Ray, Sessa, Silver, Sorrento, Sterk, Sunbeam, X Shore and many more.

With over 850 international exhibitors and brands occupying an area of more than 90,000 m², BOAT & FUN BERLIN outperformed the events of previous years and continued to grow – with international participation reaching record levels. Companies and brands from the following countries were among those taking part this year: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Uganda, the UK and Ukraine.

BOAT & FUN BERLIN fascinates people: a survey shows visitors’ satisfaction and wide-ranging interests

From Schleswig-Holstein to Bavaria – over 45,000 visitors from almost all corners of Germany came to BOAT & FUN BERLIN 2023 and were more than satisfied with the event, according to the initial findings of a survey by Messe Berlin. It showed that 93 per cent of respondents were satisfied with their visit. Whether motor yachts, houseboats, conventionally powered or electric boats – every class and size of boat attracted visitors to the event this year again. In addition, visitors were keen to find out about camping, caravans, fishing, equipment, fun sports, travel, tourism and sailing.

Nine out of ten interviewees said they had come to BOAT & FUN BERLIN to get information. For four out of five visitors the priority was “entertainment in general and fun“. About the same proportion said they wanted to test products. Around 50 per cent of respondents said it was their first time at BOAT & FUN BERLIN. Nine out of ten interviewees said they would revisit BOAT & FUN BERLIN next year and recommend the boating and leisure exhibition to relatives, friends and acquaintances.

Save the date: 2024 dates

From 30 August to 1 September 2024 fans of water sports and water tourism will gather in Werder an der Havel, when BOAT & FUN INWATER will be presenting boats in their element for the seventh time. From 28 November to 1 December 2024 – coinciding with the first weekend of Advent – BOAT & FUN BERLIN will again be extending an invitation to the exhibition in the halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, which traditionally opens with the GALA NIGHT OF BOATS. The digital services of BOAT & FUN ONLINE augment those of BOAT & FUN 365 days a year. The platforms to access are the social media channels with their wide-ranging coverage and the website of BOAT & FUN.

Mercury Experience Days featuring BOAT & FUN on 4 and 5 May 2024 in Werder (Havel)

A new partnership has resulted in next year’s BOAT & FUN event calendar featuring yet another highlight. In addition to the lifestyle event in Werder (Havel) (30 Aug. to 1 Sept. 2024) and the season’s grand finale in the display halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds (28 Nov. to 1 Dec. 2024), the Mercury Experience Days will be augmenting the BOAT & FUN event calendar with a fixture for testing Mercury-powered sportboats. On 4 and 5 May 2024 – at the start of the water sports season – visitors can find out all about engines ranging from 750 watts (electric) to 600 hp in Werder an der Havel, on and in water in the heart of Europe’s largest interconnected water sports region. Following the resounding success of the June 2023 debut event on inland waterways held in Düsseldorf, BOAT & FUN is bringing the Mercury Experience Days 2024 to the Berlin/Brandenburg region..

Print-quality images of BOAT & FUN BERLIN 2023 can be found in our media archive at www.boot-berlin.de/en/press-service/photos/

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.de, 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 and 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.