A HIGH QUALITY VISITOR PROFILE AND 76,000 VISITORS AT THE
GRAND PAVOIS LA ROCHELLE 2019
- 76,000 visitors in six days,
- A high quality visitor profile,
- An autumn meeting which confirms its position as a key event for watersport enthusiasts and professionals.
- 2020 dates: 30 September to 5 October.
Although the 2018 edition of the Grand Pavois La Rochelle organised by the Grand Pavois Organisation association welcomed 82,000 visitors, the 2019 edition should close its doors with a slight drop in visitor numbers, with 76,000 visitors. A smaller public (editor’s note: -7.5%) but one that remains of good quality in terms of the visitor profiles. An extremely important piece of information for the 800 brands present at the reference autumn show which, for many, should be satisfied with their presence at the Atlantic show. The 2019 edition of the Grand Pavois La Rochelle delighted many new exhibitors (editor’s note: more than 80 new boats exhibited out of the 750 present) for the number of highlights that marked this year’s show, and the overall atmosphere of the event which continues to be the reference for many enthusiasts.
Objectives achieved!
The presence of 800 international brands bears witness to the fact: the Grand Pavois La Rochelle confirms that it is a true business show. Many sales, many estimates, many post-show appointments made: the Grand Pavois is still very much in the Top Five international in-water events and confirms that it has become essential for enthusiasts as well as for professionals who see in the event commercial prospects for the coming year. This edition of the Grand Pavois appears to have been of satisfaction to many professionals and several brands that, when asked, declared they had achieved and even, for some, exceeded the goal they had set themselves before the show. A positive sign for the end of 2019!
Alain Pochon (President of Grand Pavois Organisation):“We are satisfied with this 2019 show. In terms of business, many professionals told me that they were satisfied and that they had achieved their targets, whether shipbuilders, equipment manufacturers, or service providers. General shipbuilders took orders and so-called niche shipbuilders appear to be satisfied with their presence at our event which continues to be one of the only boat shows where they are able to exhibit because of the excellent prices we can offer as a result of our associative status. Therefore, business was done and we are happy to hear it. This confirms that our show is an important date for our profession and, for some shipbuilders, it allows them to prepare their order book for the coming year.
In terms of visitor numbers, there was a 7.5% drop in our numbers over the period (editor’s note, 82,000 visitors in 2018) which for us can be explained in a number of ways, although allow me to recall that we should never compare quantitative and qualitative visitor profiles. Firstly, the proximity of the Cannes Yachting Festival is worth noting (editor’s note: which ended two days before the Grand Pavois) depriving us of a number of units and boatyards, not to mention that, in terms of dates, we found ourselves head-to-head with the Southampton boat show in England, and the Genoa boat show in Italy. We should also highlight the fact that we experienced difficulties and some immediate negative feedback about our visitor car park, deemed to be too far away and quickly saturated, and our shuttle buses which, on some days, took as long as 40 minutes to reach the show. No need to say that it is a matter we have already discussed with our partner local authorities and we are already working on it. The rain forecast for Sunday also affected our visitor numbers that day, despite the fact that the weather turned out fine.”
“The Grand Pavois La Rochelle confirms its position as the show for real fans”
“There were also many sea trials which continues to be an undeniable strength for our event. I recall that about a hundred boats were available to test from 10 am to 7 pm and that, after 5.30 pm the pontoons were opened to allow the other brands to take to the sea.
Our La Plage space was very popular and welcomed more than 1.500 trials and introductions during the show. One major highlight of the weekend was the second edition of the National Wind Foil supported by the French Sailing Federation.
The Fishing Space and Grand Pavois Fishing (editor’s note: fishing contest with no-kill bait) reserved for brands, unique in France) also continue their development. 27 boats were registered to compete this year with the arrival of many new brands. It is important to stress that all the boats present were available for tests or for training courses in electronics with the pro-staff of the brands present. In terms of representativeness and market offers, we can say that the Fishing Space marina was incredibly rich with new brands and new boats present. Today, we can confirm that this space is unique in France!
Our Multihull Space continues its development with more than 30 units present and we are going to increase its development to confirm our position as the leading multihull boat show in the Atlantic.
We also had a magnificent exhibition of old rigs in-water and our Heritage and Tradition Space developed a very interesting and innovative theme with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region bringing together many listed historical boats. We should also recall the arrival of Damien on Wednesday, the show’s opening day, with Gérard Janichon and Jérôme Poncet on-board. The challenge set in 2012 has now come to pass and Damien is now sailing again… This arrival at the Grand Pavois was a very emotional moment, as it was in 1973! “.
Guadeloupe, Marie-Galante and the Rallye des Iles du Soleil, guests of honour!
“It was our pleasure to invite Guadeloupe and its island
Marie-Galante and to present our Rallye des Iles du Soleil to many
visitors. This supervised and secure Transatlantic event proposed by GPO
will depart from Marina La Palma in the Canary Islands on 3 November
and will sail to Marie-Galante in Guadeloupe where it should arrive at
the start of December. It was important for us to allow the Islands of
Guadeloupe to show the visitors their amazing tourism potential and
promote the authentic Marie-Galante! This island, which will welcome the
Rallye des Iles du Soleil, helps to make this Transatlantic event a
unique and very special product. And we value it very highly! This
hospitable space which welcomed the Grand Pavois’ visitors offered
everyone a last ray of sunshine before the autumn and also, I hope,
helped many decide to come and join us on the adventure that all sailors
dream about, namely crossing the Atlantic with a real organisation to
support them”.
The 2020 dates
“As I already said, we must distance ourselves from other boat shows
in terms of dates. Therefore, the Grand Pavois La Rochelle 2020 will be
held from Wednesday 30 September to Monday 5 October 2020”.
FACTS
- Name: The Grand Pavois La Rochelle, the show for real fans!
- The venue: Port des Minimes in La Rochelle
- 2019 dates: from Wednesday 18 to Monday 23 September 2019, from 10am to 7pm
- 2020 dates: Wednesday 30 September to Monday 5 October 2020, from 10am to 7pm
- Area: 100,000 m2
- Exhibitors: 800 exhibitors from more than 30 countries
- Boats on show: 750 boats on show, including 300 in-water
- Number of visitors: 76,000 visitors in 2019