EBI and boot Düsseldorf are extending their partnership by a further two years. Philip Easthill (EBI Secretary-General) and Petros Michelidakis (boot Düsseldorf Project Director) signed the agreement in September 2020.

The partnership between EBI and boot Düsseldorf includes the annual Breakfast Meeting of the industry at the trade fair as well as the provision of comprehensive advice about specific industry issues. The association also helps to establish key contacts to the industry and European political bodies.

Easthill: “Extending the partnership with boot Düsseldorf is an important contribution to the strengthening of the European boating industry. boot will be playing a major role in the ‘rebooting’ of the industry in these difficult times. The boating industry will finally have an opportunity to present its innovations and technical developments to the international boating community again. We are delighted to be able to continue working with Petros and his team.”

Michelidakis explains: “The ongoing co-operation with EBI is crucial to boot Düsseldorf’s continued international success. It enables us to maintain effective contact with the industry between the trade fairs on-site in Düsseldorf and to remain constantly on the ball where the latest issues and questions are concerned.”

The partnership also represents a strategic relationship for boot. The aim of the co-operation is to safeguard the future of the water sports industry in Europe by focussing on its growth and needs.

The “International Breakfast Meeting” (IBM) at boot 2021 on 26 January is an important event in this context. This is where representatives of manufacturers, the EU institutions and the media as well as trade visitors will be coming together for an intensive dialogue about the upcoming water sports season.

“boot Düsseldorf has been a strong supporter of EBI for many years now and we are very proud to be able to call ourselves a boot partner”, explains Easthill, while Michelidakis adds: “Close co-operation with the European association is extremely important in this special situation. Together we will succeed in overcoming the present difficulties and stimulating the water sports industry.”