The success of the Ultimate Event coupled with the expansion of recreational boating across the country presented a golden opportunity for an annual on-water boat show in 1989, and soon after the Queensland International Boat Show was scheduled for May 1989. Halting highway traffic north to Dreamworld and south through Paradise Point to Runaway Bay, the boat show was hailed a huge success by industry and visitors resulting in the show becoming a permanent fixture on the Sanctuary Cove events calendar.
