The 2016 Qatar’s International Boat Show (QIBS) will be managed by a new team, the organiser has announced.

Al Mannai Events, the organiser of the show since 2013, said that following the death of the QIBS Chairman Essa Al Mannai last November, his heirs have decided to take over the company’s management and operations, including the boat show exclusively.

Faysal Mikati, the former QIBS Vice Chairman and Anna-Denise Ioannou, the former QIBS Boat Show Director, shall remain partners of Al Mannai Events and move to new ventures in the maritime industry.

Mikati, who is also the CEO of Al Mannai Events, said: “Essa’s Al Mannai vision of bringing an international event to Qatar, for Qatar was our greatest achievement as partners and we will be supporting the show behind the scenes in any way possible. Qatar’s maritime industry is progressing day by day and we are very proud to have contributed to this with the conceptualisation and successful execution of three international boat shows for Qatar.’’

The Qatar International Boat Show is supported by the Prime Minister of the state of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. 

In 2015, the show closed with a 20 per cent increase in visitors; numerous international partnership deals, and strong sales of more than QR100 million ($27.46 million). QIBS 2015 welcomed more than 15,000 visitors throughout the five day event, which played host to exhibitors from around the world with more than 120 leading brands on display.

The 2016 edition is scheduled to be held from October 25 to 29 at the Lusail Marina and aims to be an even more successful and international event.