Barry Meehan and Devra Smith are the force behind the Durban Internatioal Boat and Lifestyle show.
|||Barry Meehan and Devra Smith – partners in arms for the past 18 years – are no showboaters.
When they talk about boat shows they mean business, like a R64.9 million economic injection for KwaZulu-Natal, including R22m from the sale of seagoing vessels.
That was the big bucks bonanza – the figures were confirmed by the KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism – from last year’s Durban International Boat and Lifestyle Show held at the Durban Marina.
And for Meehan and Smith “messing about in boats” did not happen easily.
“Neither of us had any serious boating experience; we just learnt as we went along and now here we are ready to launch the ninth annual show at the Marina this Friday,” said Meehan.
It all began in 2004 when the couple were asked to put a boat show together and given six weeks to do the job.
They got it done and more than 3 000 people went through the gates at Wilson’s Wharf.
Now, nine years later, the show has moved to the Durban Marina, and last year the event attracted about 12 000 people, with expectations of an even better attendance this year.
The show is sponsored by the eThekwini municipality and Trade and Investment KZN.
Meehan, well-known for his role at Springbok Radio in the 1970s and 1980s when he was the voice of a variety of characters in radio comedy and drama shows, said this year’s show would feature an impressive collection of boats but would also have lots of entertainment, making it a fun outdoor experience for the family.
“One of the attractions is a cardboard boat building competition on Saturday (see www.durbanamanzi.co.za for entry details), kite flying, a regatta and a 4x4 vehicle display.
“Plus Point Yacht Club, Royal Natal Yacht Club and Cafe Fish will be open for the public to enjoy wining and dining,” said Smith.
Meehan said although R22m was the official amount spent buying boats at last year’s show, the figure was probably quite a bit higher.
“Negotiations for a sale are often initiated at the show but only finalised a year or 18 months later,” he explained.
Tickets at R50 for adults and R30 for senior citizens and youngsters aged between 12 and 18 are available at the gate or from Computicket. Children under 12 enjoy free entry.
* A four-page special on the show will appear in The Mercury on Thursday.