Boating Industry Canada

The vast size of the area almost guarantees that there is outstanding fishing available. Enthusiast sports-men visit from all over the world.

gas industry.

When Jim first took the reins of the boat show that is sponsored by the Mid-Canada Marine Dealers’ Association (MMDA), it only occupied a single floor in the Winnipeg Convention Centre. He admits that growth was slow until around the year 2000 when things just seemed to take off. Recently, the show has become a year-over-year sell-out

occupying all three floors with some 200 Exhibitors, 40 of which are dealers. “For the exhibitors, the show provides an excellent kick-off of the season with impressive numbers of boats moved,” Jim adds.

A “Ladies Night” is held on the opening day of the show each year. Jim commented that “this year there were more women in attendance than both men and women last year – a healthy sign.” Approximately 20,000 people frequent the show over its annual four-day run.

The show committee is comprised of approximately four dealers appointed by MMDA President Garth Bromley and chaired by Greg Alcock of Woodlake Marine. The committee provides input to, and general oversight of, show planning and operations-related activities. Committee participants are rotated periodically to ensure variety and to keep the show fresh and vibrant.

Apart from sponsorship of the show, the MMDA has, since its inception approximately 25 years ago, actively

promoted recreational boating interests both to the public and within the government. Their membership body of approximately 60, and Board of Directors numbering 10, are sourced primarily from Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. (While the invitation is open for Alberta and Saskatchewan-based trade organizations to participate, none are currently involved.)

Some of the many projects the MMDA has advanced in its stewardship of recreational boating in mid-Canada include:

• The Zebra-Mussel Prevention Program

• Marine Mechanic Training Program at Red River Collegiate

• Urban Angling Partnership Program

• Miscellaneous Safe Boating Programs

• On-Water PWC Training Program

In the coming weeks, the MMDA will also launch their 2008 advertising campaign to encourage boating in the region. The program asks “What are you doing this weekend?” and promotes boating as a great family recreational activity.

So it appears that there is keen interest in recreational boating amongst mid-Canadians, and abundant opportunity to indulge those pleasures on bodies of water, large and small. One might also take from the trailerable nature of the vast majority of boats at the show, that these boaters enjoy touring the region to experience all that each area has to offer.

From a market opportunity perspective, this region provides an attractive alternative to vying for the boaters’ dollar in the more competitive regions around the Great Lakes, Georgian Bay, Haliburton and the Kawarthas. (Statistics on signed sales contracts for boats in excess of $15K at the 2008 show reached 157.) Manufacturers, distributors, dealers and advertisers who have paid little attention to this neck of the woods, might do well to stake their claim in mid-Canada.