Fernando Jiménez has revolutionized the Valencia Boat Show, which he wants to take to the "Champions de los Salones"

It has only been a year leading the Union of Nautical Enterprises, long enough to turn the Valencia Boat Show, proposing a change of location, change of dates and new concept: only new ships and two days of tests at sea. The Valencian nautical hall aims to become a national and international reference and to be the closure of the Mediterranean hall circuit. It is a canary of birth but Valencian adoption and carries many nautical miles and many years of boat sale behind its back. Fernando Jiménez is, for a year now, President of the Union of Nautical Enterprises (UEN), an association responsible for the organization of the Valencia Boat Show, whose presidency is in charge. Its arrival has involved a small revolution in the living room, which has changed its location, dates, format and strategy. An exhibition held in November with national vocation and international projection in which there will be only new ships, accessories and services, with two days to test the ships at sea.

A winning team for a brilliant and future project

What will we find at the Valencia Boat Show?

This year, the change of dates leads to a change of concept: only new ships. We have confirmed the presence of the largest shipyards and international brands, which will expose a fleet of news in dry and afloat. In addition, visitors can try the latter at sea on 31 October and 1 November. The new Valencia Boat Show will have 12,000 m2 of exhibition, and more than 120 new boats, 50 of them afloat. In addition, we will have many of the new events of 2017, which have been presented in Cannes and will be in Barcelona.

Why the change of dates?
From the Union of Nautical Enterprises we realized that the Valencia Boat Show had a model that had worked well in previous years, but had already been exhausted. Last year we visited Europe's main nautical halls and met with the large shipyards, who expressed a need: sea tests. We moved the living room to October because we wanted to offer new ships, with the possibility of testing them at sea, as Valencia and the Royal Navy offer this ease. In this way, those who have seen a ship, in Cannes, Genoa or Barcelona, can try it and make the final purchase decision in Valencia.

What about the change of location?
We decided to leave the perimeter of the Veles e Vents and move in front of the EDEM business school, the Lanzadera building and the old Alinghi base for more comfort to the exhibitors. Now we have a tour at the same height, and next to the moorings. In addition, the new location eliminates dead areas or "cul de sac," preventing some exhibitors from feeling worse located than others.

This year the living room will be paid for for five days...
Yes, indeed, we have proposed a more professional format this year, with five days with a symbolic entry of 5 euros, like the vast majority of professional rooms in the world, which is what we aspire to; and two days of open doors for the general public. We will also offer special prices for collectives, Carnet Jove, people with federal license, Anavre members or retired with Gold Card.

How did the sector accept the new living room format?
The idea of the change of dates and concept had from the beginning very good reception among the great brands, and I am not referring to local representatives, but to the general directors of shipyards such as Jeanneau, Bénéteau, Hanse or Azimut. Valencia is a good port to close the Mediterranean lounge circuit. It is a friendly city, with good national and international connections, affordable prices in accommodation and restaurants and good weather to navigate in November. In addition, the Marina Real Juan Carlos I is a strategic point for the boats to spend the winter, at an affordable price. The idea is that the exhibitor is the real protagonist of the living room. It is the exhibitors who, with their economic contribution, of time and above all of illusion, make possible such an expensive and complex event, and therefore to them we owe ourselves. This is also our bet.

Is a large influx of visitors expected?
Well, we're working for it. We want to convey the message that Valencia sails, and does so all year and that this fall, at the Valencia Boat Show, we will have almost 100 new ships and many new ones that can be tested at sea and that will be available for sailing next summer. I believe that the living room and the entire Valencian coast have enormous potential as a reference nautical destination. We are not in vain becoming an important port of reception for foreign ships. I, as part of the sector, realize that more and more foreigners have their boat in Valencia, who are looking for the city as a nautical tourist destination. But we are cautious, and aware that it is the first year with this new concept.