The Saló Nàutic aims to exceed 20,000 visitors in five days

Everyone has dreamed at some point of being in the middle of the sea, aboard a sailboat and on their way to some paradisiacal island. Although for a good part of the population this is just a utopia, there is a percentage of people who have the interest —and the money— to buy a boat. For these enthusiasts, professionals, and lovers of nautical activities, Barcelona has become a perfect city from October 14 to 18, days during which Port Vell and Moll de la Fusta host the Saló Nàutic (Nautical Show), a space with hundreds of boats, high-end brands, and new areas dedicated to nautical sports, destinations, water experiences, and electric boats. The first day of the event has been calm with a constant flow of visitors, "especially at midday," in the words of Josep Antoni Llopart, the director of the show, who in a conversation with The New Barcelona Post remarked that exhibitors have commented that the figures "were positive."

Specifically, it is expected that, during the five days of this event, around 20,000 people will walk through the different stands, ask questions, learn, and, in some cases, buy a boat, experience, or activity. Llopart has assured, however, that the first impressions show that the visitors "are of quality," a concept they already prioritized in the presentation of the show and which represented those visitors who not only come to stroll, but who see the sector as a place of reference. With an exhibition of about 200 boats both in the water and on land, the Saló Nàutic de Barcelona presents itself as a candidate to be one of the world's benchmarks and, for now, according to the director's conclusions, it is fulfilling this.

The most important part of this show are the blue economy companies. The Boat Show aims to be much more than an exhibitor of boats and seeks to include activities and subsectors that are increasingly gaining importance at sea. That is why leisure activities in the water also have a place. However, the key attraction continues to be the boats and, above all, the innovation that surrounds them. "We want to consolidate ourselves as an international benchmark, projecting Barcelona to the world," Marc de Antonio, CEO of De Antonio Yachts, explained to this newspaper. The Catalan company has had its boats exhibited at this event for years. For them, Barcelona is a city they hold dear, "it's like coming home," said the executive. In this way, he praises the work of the organizers and reminds that although more and more visitors travel to other countries in search of boats, "in Barcelona you can test the boats in the water." Their design, inspired by modern architecture, and their innovative engine make them one of the big stars of this event.

While De Antonio Yachts has a long history in the nautical sector, Kumbra Yachts is a relatively new company. Víctor Moure wanted to create the boat of all boats, that is, a product that brought together all the good things he saw in his competitors and none of the bad. Under the motto From Sailors to Sailors, the company presents three models at the Show with the hope of reaching the final customer. In fact, their brand creates customized boats and stands out at Moll de la Fusta for having brought grey boats: "Obviously, we have white models, but our philosophy is to sell the buyer's dream boat," Gerard Álvarez, the company's marketing manager, argued to this newspaper.

Evidently, however, the show has other companies that are not dedicated to selling boats. Garmin develops mainly satellite navigation products, with a presence in various fields such as outdoor, fitness, automotive, and nautical. At the show, it presents its entire nautical portfolio, which includes plotters, sonars, electric motors, digital switching, lighting, and audio systems. According to Lucas Lobato, Marine Sales Manager of the company, the stand is "an opportunity for end customers to learn about the products, resolve operational doubts, improve their boat, create a new ecosystem on board, or receive personalized advice." Its technology adapts to all types of vessels, from a fishing kayak or a small boat to 50-60 foot boats: a single screen with a transducer is enough for coastal navigation, while fishing equipment requires larger screens and more powerful sonars, and large boats seek complete integration of screens, lights, and audio.

A show for branding

Sales at a show with the characteristics of the Saló Nàutic are not the main driver for exhibiting companies. In fact, the raison d'être of these events is brand power and the need to appear in these global showcases that attract thousands of potential buyers. In this sense, those interviewed by this newspaper agree in presenting the event as a space for contact, branding, and customer relations, rather than a place for immediate sales. De Antonio and Álvarez explain this explicitly, emphasizing that sales can be finalized up to a year after the show or even start much earlier and culminate at this event. Lobato, from Garmin, specifies that his company does not sell at the show, but through distributors, but that its participation in this type of congress is key to "explaining what we do." In short, the Saló Nàutic invites boat lovers to discover the brands behind the hundred stands on display. This year's bet is clear: attract more people, but also more quality visitors, and it seems that this has been achieved at the opening: "The balance we make on the first day is very positive," concludes Llopart.