○ 2019 Korea International Boat Show (KIBS) introduces workboat exhibition with reinforced B2B functions
– Held at KINTEX and Gimpo Ara Marina from May 9 to 12
○ Special Korean boat exhibition to display approximately 50 Korean boats
○ KIBS forum on coexistence between fishing villages, fishing industry, and marine leisure industry

The 2019 Korea International Boat Show, a national marine leisure festival that has become one of the top three boating shows in Asia, begins its four-day voyage on May 9.

The 12-year-old Korea International Boat Show, hosted by Gyeonggi Province since 2008 to expand the marine leisure industry, is Korea’s largest marine leisure industry exhibition.

This year’s Korea International Boat Show, co-hosted by Gyeonggi Province and the Ministry of Oceans & Fisheries, was organized by KINTEX, KOTRA, WATERWAY+ (ARAMARINA) and the Marina & Marine Industries Association of Korea. It will be staged on a total scale of 57,557 square meters including 32,157 square meters at KINTEX’s 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th halls, and 25,400 square meters at the marina exhibition venue.

This year, KIBS will introduce the “Workboat Exhibition” for industrial and public supplies to reinforce B2B functions, and will provide market pioneering opportunities by displaying small to mid-sized vessels for various business purposes such as working ships, patrol boats, and fireboats.

In addition, a special Korean boat exhibition, focussing on domestic leisure boats of international caliber, will be staged to display about 50 domestic premium boats.

To expand the base of the marine leisure industry, programs in which members of the public can participate have been reinforced, including the Boat Trailer Challenge, Fun Boat Experience, Kayak/Boat Experience, Stand Up Paddle Experience, Survival Swimming Experience, Marine Exhibition Commentary, Boat Ownership Training Course, Outdoor Boat Exhibition Zone, and Free Voyage Experience.

Forum programs during which experts from all walks of life gather to discuss the present and future of the marine leisure industry are also not to be missed.

A forum to examine trends in overseas marine leisure product certification and discuss national policies, and a forum to identify win-win strategies between the marine leisure industry and fishermen in accordance with the ‘Fishing Villages New Deal 300 Policy’ of the Ministry of Oceans & Fisheries will be co-hosted by Gyeonggi Province and the Ministry of Oceans & Fisheries.

In addition, various other events such as a 2019 yacht design competition, a product-of-the year exhibition, and a KIBS networking night will take place.

Park Shin-whoan, Assistant Governor for Economy and Labor, said: “This year, we have prepared even greater exhibitions and experiential programs in line with the reputation of the national marine leisure exhibition.” He added: “We ask for the substantial interest of and participation by people who are interested in the marine leisure industry.”

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony of the 2019 Korea International Boat Show will be held in the lobby in front of Kintex Hall 3, with more than 100 participants including Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, National Assembly Member Kim Doo-kwan, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Chair Song Han-jun, and Gimpo City Mayor Jung Ha-young.

At this event, it is expected that an agreement will be signed between Gyeonggi Province and the Korea Fishing Association on the co-hosting of “Fishing Korea” from 2020.

For more information on this year’s Korea International Boat Show, please visit the official website (www.kibs.com) or contact the executive office (+82-1670-8785).