Both Sales and Attendance Up At 2016 Toronto Boat Show

In spite of concerns over an unfavorable currency exchange rate, boat sales were up at the 2016 Toronto International Boat Show, which was held at Toronto’s Enercare Centre from January 8 to 17 inclusive.

Show producer Canadian Boat Shows Inc. reports 984 boats were registered in it’s annual Buy A Boat And Win sales program this year, which offers consumers with the opportunity to win $10,000 toward their boat purchase. That figure – up by a whopping 141 units over the 843 boats that were sold during the 2015 show – represents a year-over-year sales increase of 16.7%.

More importantly, it’s even more boats than were sold during the 2014 Toronto Boat Show, when the Canadian dollar was trading at near par with the US dollar. With the majority of the boats on display built by US-based manufacturers, and Canadian national media focusing on the sagging economy and low exchange rate in the weeks leading up to the show, expectations going in were for lower than average sales.

“The mood from exhibitors prior to the show was uncertain and reserved, due the economic environment,” said show manager Cynthia Hare. “Attitudes of consumers were very positive however, resulting in strong sales and leads throughout the show.”

Overall attendance also turned up to be higher than expected, in spite of a mid-week snowstorm. A total of 70,643 people attended North America’s largest indoor boat show this year, representing a 1% increase over the 70,174 people who attended in 2015.