Preparations are well underway for the 16th annual Kelowna Yacht Club Boat & Leisure Show on April 18 and 19, 2009. The Show has grown over the past several years and is now the largest open-air boat and leisure show between Vancouver and Calgary.Originally begun as a free floating boat show featuring only new boats, the Kelowna Yacht Club has expanded the Show to include a variety of leisure products. This expansion has helped to increase both the number of exhibitors and now attracts approximately 15,000 visitors over the two-day weekend. In spite of this popularity, the show continues to be free to the public and exhibitor fees are kept as low as possible, intended only to cover the costs of presenting the Show while generating a small profit which is returned to the Okanagan community.

These net proceeds fund the annual inspection and repairs to the 23 safe moorage buoys that the Club maintains on Okanagan Lake. These buoys are available for use by the general public at no charge and are widely enjoyed by boaters from all around the lake, including tourists who are often not aware of other safe anchorages. The Club has applied to increase the number of these buoys in 2009.

Whether you are someone considering purchasing a boat or other leisure product or a vendor who is looking for a great venue to reach a huge potential market, the Kelowna Yacht Club’s Boat & Leisure Show is perfect for you. Click through the tabs at the top of this page to find out all about the Show, including the location and venues, who is exhibiting in 2009, parking, information about becoming an exhibitor and why everyone should plan on attending this great event in April.

KYC Boat Show Community Corner

The Kelowna Yacht Club is offering a free community corner at their annual boat show, April 18 and 19. The boat show annually attracts an average of 20,000 people over the two days. If you are a not-for-profit organization and wish to let people know what your organization is about and what you offer to the public, the space in the city hall parking lot is available to you. There will be no tables or tents provided so you would have to bring your own, but the space is free of charge. To register visit the KYC website at www.kelownayachtclub.com and state that you are a not-for-profit group when you sign up.