Click here to view the Support Letters

IG - A Rajasekhar
CM - Vilasrao Deskmukh
Bhushan Gagrani
Sanjay Ubale
Admiral Byce
Milind Deora
Graham Mackereth
Andy Scott
David Peach
Jamie Edmiston
Bethany Goddard
Ansalam Angil John
Robert Stevens
Capt. Soli Contractor
Dr. Malav Shroff &
Sujay Chohan
MESSAGES
Inspector General A Rajasekhar, PTM, TM Commander Coast Guard Region (West)

The ocean rules the land, they say, but surprisingly Indian Peninsula seemed to evince no keen interest in displaying the maritime activities thus far despite having rich history. However, the Mumbai International Boat Show has provided a wonderful pedestal. The unique topography of Mumbai and infrastructure of coastal Maharashtra is a catalyst to the show.

The joint efforts of public and private enterprises is sure to bring distinguished success in a function of this magnitude. The Coast Guard has always stood up to meet maritime requirements of various sorts and as a show of solidarity will endeavor to share expertise and resources within the limitations of service. In our appreciation, this event will open up new vistas of adventure and entertainment.

 
Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh - Chief Minister
I am glad to know that Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and Mumbai Boat Show Private Limited are jointly organizing “Mumbai Boat Show” from 22nd to 25th February 2007 in Mumbai.

Mumbai is transforming as an important Global Metropolis and Financial Hub of the Asian Continent. New opportunities of investment in various sectors are emerging in and around Mumbai. This Boat Show will be immensely useful in attracting new investors across the Globe.

I am sure this new event will enhance the vibrancy of the financial capital of our country.

I wish “Mumbai Boat Show” all success.
 
Shri Bhushan Gagrani, Secretary (Tourism & Culture)
We are happy to note that the first Mumbai International Boat Show-2007 to be held from 22nd to 25th February, 2007 is coming up well. We  are also pleased to learn that taking cue from the Maharashtra Government’s pioneering initiative and involvement in ushering in ‘Boating and Sailing’ as a promising new industry; the Commerce, Industry and Corporate bodies are seconding the resolve of the government, by aligning and furthering the cause for which ‘Mumbai International Boat Show-2007’ stands.

The Government urges you to a long term sustained commitment in organizing the Mumbai International Boat Show with a view to promote Boating and related activities in Mumbai for the larger interest of the city.

The Government of Maharashtra therefore, designate the Mumbai International Boat Show a ‘Calendar Event’ in Mumbai and is pleased to extend ongoing support to the event in the years ahead.
 
Shri Sanjay Ubale - Secretary, Special Projects, Government of Maharashtra
"Mumbai is the ideal city for such a prestigious event and will lead to the rise of new development opportunities. It will stimulate Mumbai to attain new heights and will reaffirm its position as India's commercial and business hub."
 
Vice Admiral Sangram Singh Byce Western Naval Command
"Indians were master boat builders from very ancient times. The fact that the oldest floating ship in the world today - HMS Trincomallee, was built in 'Bombay' Dockyard in 1816, is a testimony to this. However, boat building activity declined in India when we lost our maritime outlook and strategic ambition. I am happy that an International Boat Show is being organised in Mumbai. I am certain this show will reopen our maritime vision"
 
Shri Milind Deora - Member of Parliament (Government of India)
"With its proud maritime tradition, Mumbai is the ideal city for such a prestigious event. It will usher in new development opportunities and water sports activities for the citizens of this vibrant coastal metropolis."
 
Graham Mackereth, Pyrahna Mouldings
“It was the best ever inaugural boat show attended by me in my 34 years of association with boat shows”
 
Andy Scott, Ocean Safety
“Generally the spread of equipment meant that the public could see a good cross section of what the marine business can offer”
 
David Peach, Henri Lloyd
“General format good - layout, people flow, interest + publicity”
 
Jamie Edmiston, Edmiston & Co.
“Very good first show, market potential is large & exciting. High quality contacts & prospective clients”
 
Bethany Goddard, Peters & May
“Good marketing, brought in the right people, good numbers, halls were well presented”
 
Ansalam Angil John, SIFFS
“Number of visitors are quite large. Visitors profile like buying power very good, good response”
 
Mr. Robert Stevens - Chief Executive (British Marine Federation)
"India is an important emerging leisure marine market and we are excited to be a part of the Mumbai International Boat Show."
 
Capt. Soli Contractor I. N - (Retd) Commodore (Royal Bombay Yacht Club)
"It has taken Mumbai 165 years to host its first international boat show! We are extremely pleased this is happening and hope it will rekindle the passion of sailing among the enterprising citizens of our great city."
 
Message from Dr. Malav Shroff and Sujay Chohan, Founders and Organisers of the Mumbai International Boat Show
The first Mumbai International Boat Show is finally here!

It’s an event that has been months in the making, with very few people perceiving our goals and long term vision when we started out. The breakthrough came when the Government of Maharashtra realised the economic benefit and potential of leisure boating with its contribution to infrastructure development in regions such as the Cote d’Azure, Gold Coast, etc. Since then, we have received encouraging support from all facets of government, especially MTDC, the Indian Navy and MbPT. We owe Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, our Chief Minister, Shri Sanjay Ubale, Secretary – Special Projects, Shri Bhushan Gangrani, Secretary – Tourism & MD – MTDC, Shrimati Rani Jadhav, Chairperson – MbPT, Vice Admiral Sangram Singh Byce and their teams a deep debt of gratitude for supporting and encouraging us to pursue bigger dreams. Our special thanks also to the Government of Maharashtra and the Tourism Ministry for declaring the Mumbai International Boat Show an annual “Calendar Event”.
As well as government bodies, local and global industry authorities wholeheartedly embraced the event. The BMF, in particular, provided invaluable advice and helped to market the event worldwide – our special thanks to Rob Stevens, Toby Allies, Simon Pryce and Murray Ellis. The contribution from our partners was equally important. Times of India, our presenting partner, played a key role in publishing the event, as have India Boating (India’s first boating magazine), Bright Advertising, Radio Mirchi and NDTV, our exclusive TV partner, while the assistance of IBI was crucial in establishing the event internationally. We are also grateful for the unstinting support provided by Mr. S. M. Dutta, President of the RBYC, Capt. Soli Contractor and the sailing committee right from the inception of the event.
The success of this inaugural boat show would not have been possible without our numerous sponsors and exhibitors. A special mention goes to Seaspray for procuring the pontoons and organising what is arguably the first on-water display of boats anywhere in India. The task was challenging but we hope it heralds the beginning of full-fledged marinas and boat havens across the country. Our appreciation also to the IYA for their active participation, our corporate sponsors – HSBC, Gitanjali Group and Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, and our conference sponsor Gulf Craft Inc. To all our exhibitors, whether established enterprises or new entrants, we wish you every success in your endeavour to make India the next frontier in leisure boating.
We have reserved a special tribute to those ever unseen faces who make all events work in flawless fashion – to our dear friend and well wisher, who graciously welcomed us in to his office and incubated us for the past year, Avinash Shankar, along with his team at Blank Slate including Dilip, Hemant, Saif, Savio, Smitha, Venkatesh; to Sapna, Trevor, Mihir and the team from Hanmer Events who have worked tirelessly to make this event come to life; to Vinod who undertook the design and fabrication of the hangar; and, most importantly, the Mumbai International Boat Show family especially Alpa, Radhika, Sneha and the untiring Cmdr. Satyajit Roy.
India is probably the last major untapped boating market in the world. Our belief is that the country has so much to offer not only as a market but also as an outsourcing destination for global manufacturers.
We hope the boat show will spearhead that vision by educating, informing and enthusing people to embark on a new voyage of possibilities along our vast, amazing and unexplored coastline of India.
Organised by: Mumbai Boat Show Pvt. Ltd. Supported by: Government of Maharashtra