Preparations are well underway for the 15th annual Kelowna Yacht Club Boat & Leisure Show, which is scheduled for April 19 and 20, 2008.

We have seen some exciting growth in the past few years, and thanks to an excellent economy, exhibitors have reported significant sales results in the past two Shows. We are now the largest boat show between Vancouver and Calgary and attract over 15,000 visits over the two days. This year, we are tripling our advertising budget to include radio and print advertising throughout the Okanagan valley. Exhibitors can expect to see even more qualified prospective customers this spring.

Our expanded advertising program is not only exciting for the Boat Show, but it also offers exhibitors a significant opportunity to benefit as well. First, the Kelowna Capital News will be producing an eight-page colour Boat Show pullout which will enjoy a circulation of approximately 55,000, including over-runs distributed to Yacht Clubs, sporting outlets, Chambers of Commerce and other related outlets from Penticton to Vernon. Exhibitors can take advantage of special pricing to advertise your particular products and we will be looking for interesting products to highlight in articles in this publication.

Secondly, we have arranged significant radio advertising on Sun FM, AM 1150, SILK and Power 104 in Kelowna, SUN FM and Oldies 1450 in Penticton and Sun FM in Vernon. We’ll have 120 ads running in these markets in the week of the show, plus on-location broadcasts from the show itself. But we’re not just advertising the Boat Show, we’ll also be including exhibitor’s names and products in our ads. Ad runs will be based on the number of spaces an exhibitor takes and, of course, a deadline applies so get your application in early!

Speaking of applications, we’ve updated our exhibitor information based on feedback received over the years. All of the Boat Show information is now available by simply clicking on the links below. You’ll find four pages of Show layout plans, Application and completion instructions and the Indemnity Form. For your convenience, we have also included an Exhibitor Information sheet. If you are using Microsoft Word, you can complete the Application before printing it, or you can print the PDF version and complete it by hand. In any event, you are encouraged to print and read all of the forms and the layout plan of the area you are interested in (paved lot, gravel lot, new or used water displays).

The Show is very popular and we expect that, once again, all available spaces will be filled so get your application in early if you have a preferred location in mind. Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.