XPO Exhibitions acquires Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show with Hesketh Henry's help

Hesketh Henry has helped trade show organiser XPO Exhibitions to successfully acquire the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show from long-time owner Auckland Water Ski Club (AWSC).

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show is the country’s longest-running, biggest, and most popular boat show. While the event is considered a great day-out for boating enthusiasts and their families, it also serves as a source of marine education and information regarding boating safety, marine biodiversity, fishing sustainability, and the like for more than 35,000 visitors.

“AWSC have weathered a challenging period across the pandemic, actively reaching out to find a new owner for this treasured iconic event,” said Brent Spillane, managing director of XPO Exhibitions. “Our team are committed to developing and growing the event; building on the content and visitor experience and the important commercial return for the marine and fishing industries who exhibit. We have the scale and resourcing to invest in the show’s ongoing success.”

With the purchase of the iconic show, XPO Exhibitions now runs 19 of the nation’s largest sector trade shows and consumer exhibitions.

“We have many synergies that will add value to the Boat Show, one example being EMEX a trade-only show with thousands of engineering business visitors and exhibitors − many with ties to the marine industry,” Spillane said. “With literally more than 500,000 active registrants and visitors to our wider show portfolio, we are confident we can grow the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show’s targeted attendance to new highs.”

Senior associate Ben Hickson led the Hesketh Henry team in assisting XPO Exhibitions with the transaction.

The show will once again be held at Auckland Showgrounds in May 2023.