WordPress database error: [Unknown character set: 'utf8mb4']

I am trying to import a SMF forum from an “old” site to bbpress on a “new” site. I did it once before with no problems, but trying it again and am encountering this error message:

WordPress database error: [Unknown character set: ‘utf8mb4’]
SELECT convert(members.id_member USING “utf8mb4”) AS id_member,convert(members.passwd USING “utf8mb4”) AS passwd,convert(members.member_name USING “utf8mb4”) AS member_name,convert(members.email_address USING “utf8mb4”) AS email_address,convert(members.website_url USING “utf8mb4”) AS website_url,convert(members.date_registered USING “utf8mb4”) AS date_registered,convert(members.real_name USING “utf8mb4”) AS real_name,convert(members.aim USING “utf8mb4”) AS aim,convert(members.yim USING “utf8mb4”) AS yim,convert(members.icq USING “utf8mb4”) AS icq,convert(members.msn USING “utf8mb4”) AS msn,convert(members.signature USING “utf8mb4”) AS signature,convert(members.avatar USING “utf8mb4”) AS avatar,convert(members.location USING “utf8mb4”) AS location,convert(members.personal_text USING “utf8mb4”) AS personal_text FROM smf_members AS members LIMIT 0, 25

I tried contacting the hosting service (godaddy), but I can’t believe that upgrading MySQL is the only solution. Can anyone help or steer me in the right direction? TIA.