The 2024 edition boot Düsseldorf will feature a “very high” attendance from international exhibitors as it continues a strong post-pandemic trajectory, according to Wolfram Diener, president and CEO of organiser Messe Düsseldorf, which has outlined further details for the upcoming event.

The leading indoor boat show and trade fair, which covers powerboats, luxury yachts, sailing boats and diving equipment, trend sports and holiday regions, returned in January 2023 following a three-year hiatus due to the covid pandemic.

“We have had very successful talks with the manufacturers over the summer months and feel great enthusiasm and anticipation for boot 2024,” says Diener. “In January, we will also be able to welcome back brands that took a break this year. In particular, we see very high international attendance from exhibitors. This means boot 2024 will reach the highest level, present wide and varied ranges for both water sports and destinations and will again position itself as the world-leading show for this industry.”

The annual boot Düsseldorf event, which returns from 20–28 January 2024, is the world’s largest yacht and water sports show. There are 16 exhibition halls confirmed for 2024, with powerboats with classic and alternative propulsion, luxury yachts from leading manufacturers, sailing yachts – from dinghies to large yachts, diving accessories, canoes and kayaks, houseboats and more.

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Blue innovation dock and sustainability forum

Also, in focus at boot 2024 will be ocean protection and innovative, sustainable technologies. After its successful launch at boot 2023, the Blue Innovation Dock (Hall 10) will continue to be featured as a sustainability forum.

In cooperation with the European Boating Industry (EBI) a unique dialogue format is created here with political, business, technical and media expertise.

“The blue innovation dock was created by boot and is a genuine innovation driver,” says Michelidakis. “At boot 2023, we were already able to see the ideas and technologies for water sports but also for the operation of marinas and moorings on the bid stage. We are now in the concrete planning stage of the programme. I am not overpromising when I say we will be introduced to a host of new developments, also in alternative propulsion or for sustainable boatbuilding in 2024.”

In addition, two beacons of ocean protection will once again be on board with the presentation of the Ocean Tribute Award with partners Prince Albert II Foundation and the German Sea Foundation as well as the Love Your Ocean campaign.

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16 exhibition halls

Halls 1 to 4 at boot 2024 are reserved for small to medium-sized powerboats, fishing boats and e-boats (up to max. 20 m). Hall 3 will also host the Sportfishing Center as a special meeting point for sports anglers. In Superboat Hall 5, the market leaders for luxury tenders and shadow boats are on board.

“Moored” next door in the marina of Hall 6 will be the luxury yachts segment presented in a concentrated display format. Hall 7a is home to superyacht manufacturers (with information stands, as their yachts are too big for indoor exhibition halls.)

Halls 9 and 10 are boot’s ‘silicon valley’. Here, the latest technological developments for boating and marine propulsion of all sizes and classes, as well as ribs big and small, are presented.

Hall 11 houses all the useful accessories yachtsmen and women require on board. With the ‘love your ocean’ stand and the partnering NGOs, ocean protection will also move back to Hall 11, as will the Water Pixel World. The diving ranges start in Hall 11 and continue in Hall 12 and the northern part of Hall 13.

Another highlight in Hall 13 is the presentation of houseboats and international charter operators. On top of this, services and consulting will be provided on the subject of investment in yachts and yacht owner programmes.

Hall 14 is the meeting point for sporting canoes and kayakers with the World of Paddling. This is also where the intriguing combo of caravanning and watersports as a form of holidaying is demonstrated.

Halls 15 and 16 will serve as the sailing centre at boot 2024, featuring the multihall village and international manufacturers showcasing a broad range for all yachts people – from dinghies to large yachts.

“The boot sailing halls will again be a true mirror image of the market, and we will also be able to welcome back the manufacturers who suspended participation this year. We can look forward to yachts up to 70 feet,” says Arne von Heimendahl, who is the expert for motor boats and sailing yachts in the boot team.

Wing surfing, wing foiling and pump foiling

boot 2024 showcases the latest in watersports, including wing foiling, pump foiling and windsurfing. Pros will show what they can do on the 60m long pool in Hall 17, while visitors wanting to test the boards themselves can book their personal surf slots at the boot Düsseldorf website from December 2023.

Caroline Mühl, the surf expert on the boot team explains: “Boards and the complete accessories portfolio can, of course, also be found in Hall 17 because the renowned manufacturers and dealers in the surf and SUP sectors will join the fray showcasing the latest trending boards.”

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Hall 12 at boot Düsseldorf: diving

Alongside boats and yachts, diving is a mainstay of boot and at home in parts of Hall 11 and 13 and in Hall 12.

“Here, sport divers will find everything their heart desires, and here everyone with a name in the industry will feature,” says Christian Hruschka, who heads diving, technical equipment and tourism in the boot Team. “Instructors inform visitors on how to get started in the underwater sport and advise them on the purchase of matching equipment or suitable dive destinations. Subsequently, orders can be placed directly with manufacturers, dealers and tour operators at the show.”

Those seeking a taste before diving in open waters for the first time can immerse themselves in the novices’ pool. Experienced sportspeople with a licence head for the futurist diving tower, which was recently inaugurated at boot 2023.

Petros Michelidakis, director of boot, adds: “The diving community are loyal boot fans, and we have created a real paradise for them. To make this topic even more mainstream in the public, boot has created the Dive Award, presented in the categories Personality, Climate, Product, Destination and Innovation starting this year. It comes with €3,000 prize money in each category and is presented on the stage of the Dive Center at boot in Düsseldorf.”

Launches and premieres

Across the nine days of the trade fair will be a slew of global firsts, innovative accessories and new water sports gear. Details will be announced in the coming months.

“Many exhibitors choose boot as the venue for launching their innovations for the coming season so as to create as large a buzz in the sector as possible,” says Michelidakis. “We can look forward to many trail-blazing developments both in boat building and in propulsion.”

boot.club and admission tickets

Organisers say those wanting to keep abreast of the latest news on boot 2024 should become a member of the ‘boot.club‘, which currently has 166,000 members. Membership offers reduced admission rates and access to the boot.club lounge on the fairgrounds, including free Wi-Fi.

Online tickets for boot Düsseldorf will be available from 12 October 2023 for €21 and €19 for boot.club, caravan.club and ADAC (General German Automobile Association) members. Tickets sold at the ticket counters on-site cost €29.

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