Hiswa te Water

What Hiswa te Water does

Hiswa te Water is a privately held Dutch event organization that operates the largest in-water boat show in Northwestern Europe, held annually over 5 days in early September at the Bataviahaven harbor in Lelystad, Netherlands. The 2026 edition marks the show's 41st iteration. The event consolidates the fragmented boat-buying experience by bringing more than 425 boats in the water, 278+ exhibitors on quayside stands, and over 30,000 visitors into a single venue, including major Dutch and international builders such as Interboat, Wajer Yachts, X-Yachts, Thomasz Yachts, Frauscher, Contest Yachts, and Saffier Yachts. The 2023 edition displayed boats with an estimated total value of €1 billion.

The company monetizes through four primary streams: (1) exhibitor booth and in-water berth fees paid by boat builders, marine equipment suppliers, and service providers; (2) visitor ticket sales at €12.50 online and €15 at the door; (3) sponsorship and hospitality packages from anchor partners including Bataviahaven, Interboat, Neptunus Structures, Maison van den Boer, and Raymarine; and (4) advertising and content licensing via the Hiswa te Water Magazine published in Dutch and English. Distribution is event-driven, with online ticket sales via Paylogic, on-site box office, direct exhibitor sales managed by Sales Manager Alex Hoeve and Director Arjen Rahusen, and media partner amplification through water sports publications.

The core technology is a web-based AI visitor guidance platform launched for the 2026 edition, developed with Arimpex Media Services and AI specialist STAIBL, providing an interactive map, boat finder, personalized walking routes, and exhibitor appointment scheduling without requiring an app download. The show also hosts the Boot van het Jaar (Boat of the Year) awards, the Startup Award, the Oeuvre Award, the Groene Route sustainability initiative (with EV Motor Show and Groene Tour), and the Veiligheidseiland (Safety Island) program run in partnership with KNRM, HISWA-RECRON, and Watersportverbond. The organization operates with 1-10 employees from its headquarters at Bataviahaven 1, 8242 PR Lelystad.

Name

Hiswa te Water

Legal name

Hiswa te Water

Website

https://hiswatewater.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hiswa te Water operates the largest in-water boat show in Northwestern Europe, held annually over 5 days at Bataviahaven Lelystad, Netherlands. The 41st edition (2026) features 425+ boats, 278+ exhibitors, and 30,000+ visitors, with revenue from exhibitor fees, ticket sales, sponsorships, and content licensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine trade events

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

akta.pro primary industry

Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)

Keywords

• In-water boat shows
• Boat builder exhibitions
• Yacht industry events
• Marine trade events
• Recreational boating exhibitions

Headquarters

HQ city

Lelystad

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Exhibitor booth and in-water boat fees: Boat builders, yacht manufacturers, marine equipment suppliers, and service companies pay registration/exhibition fees to display boats in the water and/or rent quayside stands at the show.
2. Visitor ticket sales: General admission tickets sold online (discounted) and at the gate. Ticket revenue is a direct revenue stream for the event organization. Online tickets priced at €12.50, door price €15.
3. Sponsorship and hospitality packages: Corporate sponsors (such as Bataviahaven, Interboat, Neptunus Structures, and media partners) provide sponsorship revenue. The event also offers VIP packages, hospitality experiences, and catering partnerships (e.g., Maison van den Boer for VIP and stand catering).
4. Magazine and content licensing: The event publishes a glossy Hiswa te Water Magazine (available in Dutch and English), distributed free to visitors at entry and digitally enriched with video content. The magazine serves as a promotional vehicle and may generate content licensing or advertising revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hiswa te Water produces and operates the largest in-water boat show in Northwestern Europe, held annually over five days in early September at Bataviahaven in Lelystad, Netherlands. The event features 400+ boats displayed in the water plus quayside exhibitor stands from boat builders, yacht manufacturers, and marine equipment suppliers, with paid exhibitor packages, visitor ticket sales, sponsorship packages, the annual Boot van het Jaar (Boat of the Year) awards, themed zones such as the Groene Route sustainability trail and Veiligheidseiland, and a web-based AI-powered visitor guidance platform.

Product overview

Hiswa te Water is the largest in-water boat show in Northwest Europe, held annually in Bataviahaven Lelystad. The exhibition features more than 425 boats in the water and numerous stands on shore. The 2026 edition introduces an AI-powered visitor platform for visit preparation, boat search, and exhibitor appointments. Key offerings include the interactive map with AI-powered navigation, the sustainability-focused De Groene Route initiative (featuring EV Motor Show and De Groene Tour), boat search functionality, and the annual Boot van het Jaar awards. The exhibition also features themed areas like Hiswa Village, watersport activities, and a safety-focused Veiligheidseiland. The event serves as the premier meeting place for water sports enthusiasts, showcasing Dutch boat building excellence with international reach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hiswa te Water Annual In-Water Boat Show Annual five-day in-water boat show at Bataviahaven Lelystad featuring 425+ boats displayed in the water and quayside exhibitor stands. Boat builders, yacht manufacturers, and marine equipment suppliers contract for exhibitor booths and in-water berths; water sports enthusiasts and prospective boat buyers purchase tickets (€12.50 online, €15 at the door) to attend. Includes themed zones such as Hiswa Village, Groene Route sustainability trail, EV Motor Show, Veiligheidseiland, podium programming, and on-water activities.
• Boot van het Jaar (Boat of the Year) Awards Program Prestigious annual boat awards program recognizing quality vessels across categories including Open Motorboats, Motor Yachts, Sailing Yachts, Electric Boats, Sloepen & Tenders, plus a Startup Award and Oeuvre Award for industry lifetime contribution. Manufacturers submit boats for consideration; winners are selected by the Hiswa te Water Boot van het Jaar Jury and announced in connection with the boat show.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record visitor attendance exceeding 30,000 visitors in both 2024 and 2025 editions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arimpex Media ServicescoreTechnology or Integration · 2 September 2026Arimpex Media Services serves as the IT partner for all Hiswa te Water exhibitors and the official website provider. They manage the hiswatewater.nl website, online ticket sales integration, exhibitor listings, and smart integrations with platforms like Marktplaats and Boat24. Arimpex also develops the AI-powered visitor guidance platform for the 2026 edition in collaboration with STAIBL. The partnership enables exhibitor visibility across multiple channels and supports online presence.
• STAIBLcoreTechnology or Integration · 2 September 2026STAIBL is an AI specialist that developed the AI-powered web-based platform for Hiswa te Water 2026. The platform enables visitor pre-visit planning with interactive maps, boat location finding, walking routes, and exhibitor appointments. Developed in collaboration with Arimpex Media Services.
• Waterrecreatie NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2026Waterrecreatie Nederland collaborated on organizing the Groene Tour (Green Tour) — daily guided tours in small groups visiting 10 selected exhibitors active in sustainable boating. Waterrecreatie Nederland's site duurzamewaterrecreatie.nl hosts tour registration. This partnership enhances the sustainability programming of the Groene Route.
• RaymarineminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 September 2026Raymarine is a weather information sponsor for Hiswa te Water, providing weather updates displayed on the event website and at the venue.
• BataviahavencoreOthers · 2 September 2026Bataviahaven Lelystad is the exclusive venue host for the Hiswa te Water boat show. The half-circular harbor serves as the unique in-water setting where boats are displayed. A long-term agreement was signed in 2024 to keep the show in Bataviahaven for at least five more years.
• KNRM (Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2026KNRM partners with Hiswa te Water on the Safety Island (Veiligheidseiland) theme for 2026, organized alongside HISWA-RECRON and Watersportverbond. The collaboration enables visitors to test life jackets and participate in interactive demonstrations and safety activities. KNRM also offers trial sailing opportunities at the event.
• Coalitie Duurzaam VarencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Coalitie Duurzaam Varen (the industry association of manufacturers in sustainable boating) operates the central information desk at the EV Motor Show within the Groene Route initiative at Hiswa te Water 2026. They provide expert information on electric and hybrid motors and their possibilities.
• Marcel SchaapcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Marcel Schaap, leveraging his years of experience and network in sustainable boating, provides the content and strategic direction for the Groene Route initiative. His expertise shapes the sustainable exhibitor identification and the overall sustainable boating narrative at the event.
• De Stille BootminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 September 2025De Stille Boot (supplier of electric drive systems and advocate for emission-free water sports) is a proud sponsor of the Groene Route initiative, supporting the sustainable boating showcase at Hiswa te Water.
• Marktplaats and Boat24minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2025Through Arimpex Media Services, Hiswa te Water has smart integrations with marketplace platforms Marktplaats and Boat24, ensuring exhibitor boats, services, and products are automatically listed on these platforms, extending reach to additional buyers beyond the event.
• Maison van den BoercoreOthers · 3 April 2023Maison van den Boer is the official hospitality partner for Hiswa te Water, contracted for three editions (with continuation after initial agreement). They provide VIP catering, public catering, and stand catering services, operating a pop-up restaurant and other food and beverage offerings at the venue.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cannes Yachting Festival: Cannes Yachting Festival is a major in-water boat show held each September across the Vieux Port and Port Canto in Cannes, France. It is a direct peer as another in-water, late-season show targeting yacht buyers and marine lifestyle visitors, with significant overlap for international exhibitor share.
• boot Düsseldorf: boot Düsseldorf is the world's largest indoor boat and water sports show, held annually each January. It is a direct peer as it serves the same boat buyer and exhibitor ecosystem across Europe through a similar trade-show + consumer hybrid model, but at much larger scale and on an indoor January cycle.
• Southampton International Boat Show: The Southampton International Boat Show is a major UK boat show held annually in September — directly overlapping Hiswa's timing — at Mayflower Park / Ocean Village. It is a direct peer as a hybrid in-water and onshore show serving B2C and B2B audiences in the European sailing and leisure boat market.
• Salon Nautic de Paris: Salon Nautic is France's leading indoor boat show, held each December at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. It is a direct peer targeting the same European boat-buying consumer and exhibitor base as Hiswa te Water, though delivered through an indoor December format.
• Monaco Yacht Show: Monaco Yacht Show is the leading superyacht exhibition, held each September in Port Hercule. It is a direct peer as an in-water yacht show competing for premium boat builders and HNW visitors; Hiswa's positioning as a broader-appeal in-water show overlaps the same international exhibitor pool.
• Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS): FLIBS is the world's largest in-water boat show, held each October/November in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is a direct peer in product (in-water format) and audience (boat buyers and yacht exhibitors), serving as the global benchmark for in-water scale and premium yacht display.
• Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show: Sanctuary Cove is a major Asia-Pacific boat show held each May on Queensland's Gold Coast. It is comparable as a hybrid in-water and onshore leisure boat show targeting premium buyers, though it serves a different regional market than Hiswa te Water's Northwestern European catchment.
• Salone Nautico Genova: Salone Nautico is Italy's largest boat show held each autumn in Genoa, combining onshore stands and in-water displays. It is a direct peer competing for the same European leisure-yacht exhibitor base and overlapping in autumn timing with the Mediterranean yacht market.

Broad incumbents

• METSTRADE: METSTRADE is the world's largest trade-only exhibition for marine equipment, accessories and materials, held each November in Amsterdam's RAI. It is a broad incumbent peer operating in the same Dutch marine trade-show ecosystem as Hiswa te Water, but with a strictly B2B, equipment-focused format.

Regional players

• Helsinki International Boat Show (Vene24 / Venemessut): The Helsinki International Boat Show (Venemessut) is Finland's largest leisure boat exhibition, part of the Vene24 cluster. It is a comparable Northern European boat show serving the Nordic leisure boating market, but operates in a different geography (Finland vs. Netherlands).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HISWAtewater
• Facebookfacebook.com/Hiswatewater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hmm-exhibitions-bv-hiswa-te-water

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hiswa te Water