Success of Bahrain Boat Show International through collective partnership

The size of the show has almost doubled with 100 exhibitors and 50 000 m² of exhibition space with exhibits worth over $80m and many members of the Royal family and VIP guests from across the GCC joining the show. Exhibitors reported the BBSI had been used as a platform to facilitate several sales, business deals, partnerships and product launches.

Said Wael Juju, CEO and organizer of BBSI, "We would like to firstly extend our gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, our Patron, we appreciate his strong and ongoing support. BBSI 2011 has been a collective effort with increased partnership and assistance from many governmental bodies without which we would not have enjoyed the great success that we did. Our particular gratitude must go to our official partner, the Economic Development Board who have helped us in numerous ways and have been a pillar of strength and support."

Said Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), "The Bahrain Boat Show International has fast become a key event in the Bahrain business and social calendar and it plays a vital role in strengthening the maritime leisure industry in the Kingdom. The EDB wishes to thank all involved in making the third BBSI event such a special occasion for all who attended. We would like to express our appreciation to Amwaj Islands and Amwaj Marina for hosting us for a third consecutive year. The partnership between event organizer and venue is of such importance to ensure the smooth running of any event, in particular one of this magnitude.

Said Mohammed Nouri, CEO, Amwaj Islands. "We, at Amwaj Islands, are delighted and proud to have successfully hosted such a unique event to the Kingdom for the third consecutive year. I would like to thank Knotika, EDB and Tamkeen for their unwavering dedication in making this major event possible. We are now looking forward to host the boat show again next year."

Said Ali Al Fardan, General Manager, Amwaj Marina, "We are very happy to be the venue for Bahrain Boat show international for the third year on this important and valued event. It provides us with a great platform to promote both Amwaj Islands and Kingdom of Bahrain, The show was a tremendous success and we are look forward to the long term growth and success of BBSI at Amwaj Marina. In addition to this we would like to extend our gratitude to Tamkeen for their support with their Tarweej scheme which facilitated the participation of so many companies including, Ghassan Abdulrahman H Alsulaiman Trading, Gulf Surveillance Services, Monther Al Mutlaq Trading, Al Hawaj, Marine Technical Services, Delma Marine, Marina Durrat Al Bahrain, Scubamaster, Sovereign Trust & Consultancy, Majestic Marine Engineering, Yarada Sports, Yamal Boats, Beaucrafts, VMotion, Sea World Company, AlMoayyed Motors, Art Marine, Marine Service Centre, SOJ Bahrain, Fish World, AXA Insurance, Hemple Paints, Ocean Diving and Marine Services, Zerwan Fiber Glass Factory, 2000 Marine Stores. System and Technology Enterprises, UCO Engineering, Al Dhaen, Lulu Tourism, and B-Cool."

Said Tamkeen Chief Executive Mr. Mahmood Hashem Kooheji, "Through Tamkeen's Enterprise Development Support programme, nearly BD 130,000 in support were given to enable 30 enterprises to participate in this prestigious event and truly showcase the international standard and strength of Bahrain's dynamic marine industry. This kind of support to enterprises across all sectors is an integral part of Tamkeen's Enterprise Development Support programme, which helps enhance the way private enterprises do business and make them more sustainable and prosperous. We thank the organizers of the Bahrain Boat Show International, the EDB, and all other partners and sponsors for all their efforts in making this event such a great success."

"Our additional thanks to our telecom partner Viva who co-sponsored our Formula 1 power boat which was one of the highlights of the show. Dragon Hotel for their fantastic support as official hotel, Lamborghini for their magnificent car displays and support as official car. We would also like to take the opportunity to thank Bahrain Defence Force for their participation, the Ministry of Interior and the Coast Guard. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism Sector for their participation and support, as well as our joint participation at the World Travel Market in the UK enabling us to communicate BBSI internationally. We would also like to say thank you to Al Baraka Islamic bank as official finance partner, their boat financing scheme has allowed BBSI to work as a catalyst to enable the Marine industry to become accessible to all. As well as our technology partner Samsung by Techno blue for facilitating our remote exhibit area, which was new to this year's show, through smart technology and providing us with international reach," he added.

In addition to these, an event of this scale requires a very strong logistics partner and insurance partner, our thanks to GAC for provided our logistics for the last three years and BNI for providing us with insurance for the event.

This year's BBSI has engaged in the biggest media campaign yet including outdoor, press, social media, Bahrain radio and Amwaj and Bahrain TV. We owe a big dept of gratitude to all our media partners without which we would not have been able to reach so many individuals and communicate to them the details of the event. With particular thanks to the Information Affairs Authority, BMS and Adline, Bahrain Radio and Bahrain TV who went over and above the call of duty with their help and support.

Said Wael Juju, CEO and Organiser of BBSI, The results of BBSI prove that Bahrain is a fantastic location to hold international events. We believe that the Boat show will have a ripple effect, communicating to other international events that the Kingdom is an ideal destination to conduct business and find a home. While we at Knotika have closed the doors on BBSI 2011 we have already opened the window to begin plans for 2012 and will continue to keep the rate of growth and maintain the promise of the fastest growing boat show in the world."