The first ever Boat Show in Sri Lanka was held from 8th to 10th of June 2008 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo and attracted buyers and sellers from the leisure, marine, tourism, fishing and other related industries.

This venture had the support from the state and the commercial sector. The support was extended by Ministry of Industrial Development, Ministry of Export Development and International Trade, Sri Lanka Tourism, National Chamber of Exporters, Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Morex Lanka, American waters and Hilton Hotels.

The Boat Show Sri Lanka 2008 exhibition opened up new frontiers of leisure boating, marine, industrial and commercial vessels where leading boat manufacturers were able to secure definite orders which are being currently executed. The first quarter exports of Boats and Yachts from Sri Lanka reached RS Two Billion mark showing the true potential for the boat industry.

The boat show 2008 was able to introduce this trade to the local market and create a much more sophisticated target audience. In Sri Lanka, the trend of leisure and adventure boating has not yet found its true potentials. The Boat Show 2008 initiated the super high way to reach this target. By creating the interest among Sri Lankans for leisure and adventure boating, the Boat Show 2008 has been able to come close to achieving this target.