2010 TULLETT PREBON LONDON INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW CLOSES WITH
MANY EXHIBITORS REPORTING STRONG SALES
Tens of thousands of core boaters made the
trip to ExCeL London to view the excellent range of products on
show; despite the appalling weather upsetting visitors’ plans to
attend the early days of the event. 44,500 visitors streamed
through the gates over the final three days and resulted in a final
attendance figure of 102,655*, which is 9% behind the 2009
event.
“To have welcomed over 100,000 visitors to the
2010 Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show, considering
such adverse weather, has been reassuring for the Show and
importantly the marine industry,” said Andrew Williams, Managing
Director of National Boat Shows. “Indeed, to have opened the
Show on time at 10am last Friday (8 January), with exhibitors and
the Show ready and waiting was an amazing achievement in
itself. Feedback has been exceptional and despite a quiet few
days at the beginning, the atmosphere within the halls and support
from the exhibitors has been superb.”
Visitors to the Show enjoyed over 500
exhibitors and almost 1,000 boats; witnessed over 80 new product
launches including 18 global debuts; were captivated by high energy
dance extravaganza ‘Rock the Boat’; enjoyed seeing the Corps of
Royal Engineers performing high-speed manoeuvres on the Royal
Victoria Dock; and were enthralled by hit ITV1 show X Factor stars
Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon who performed live on the Show Stage
powered by Fairline to officially open the Show, and again on Late
Night Thursday.
Participation at the event has also been
important. 450 people went diving, 320 visitors tried
canoeing over the weekends and 2,500 raced model boats. The
BMF’s new initiative On The Water gave boating advice to over 1,000
visitors, from how to start boating, to what to upgrade to.
In addition, the Marine Trades Association’s Boating on a Budget
project raised over £18,000 to help Burnham-on-Crouch house its new
RNLI lifeboat.
Paul Strzelecki, Chairman of National Boat
Shows said: “This Show has been a credit to our industry and those
who work in it. We have met the dual challenges of terrible
weather and a difficult economy with a spirit of positivity and
enthusiasm which ensures that we start 2010 with renewed optimism,
looking forward to the PSP Southampton Boat Show in September.”
Terry Smith, Chief Executive of title sponsor
Tullett Prebon said: “Tens of thousands of people in the UK
regularly participate in both recreational and competitive
watersports. The UK marine industry is also big business,
employing thousands and exporting products across the world.
Members of the British Marine Federation are world leaders in the
design and construction of yachts, power boats and their
accessories and this is an industry of which all in the UK can be
proud.
“As such it is important for the industry in
the UK to have a high profile annual exhibition to showcase the
products and services it provides, and this year’s Show was no
exception.”
Consultation with exhibitors regarding the
development of the London International Boat Show has been going on
throughout the week. This has identified many new concepts
and ideas and NBS will be developing these into plans to ensure the
Show continues to go from strength to strength, delivering such a
vital showcase for the UK marine industry.
With such a relevant audience making it to
this year’s Show, exhibitors have been reporting strong sales and
much positive interest. Indeed, within hours of the Show
opening last Friday, Nautique Marine announced the sale of a 20ft
Nautique 200.
Claire Horsman, Northshore: “Southerly was
very pleased again with this year’s Show. In spite of the
appalling weather conditions at the beginning of the week our
stand, even though bigger than last year, was constantly full of
people eager to learn about the Southerly 49 with its unique swing
keel. Overall, Southerly has had a very successful Show and
surpassed our sales targets. We noticed a distinct mix of
serious international visitors at the Show and we are planning a
larger stand for 2011.”
Michel Francois, Jeanneau: “Considering
the weather conditions we have had a good Show. Combining
sail and power onto one stand has worked well for us and we look
forward to working with NBS to further develop our presence next
year and beyond.”
Peter Thomas, Sales Manager, Cornish Crabbers
LLP: "The Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show
provides an excellent opportunity to showcase our boats at a key
time leading up to the new sailing season. This year has proved no
exception with our sales targets achieved and overwhelming
enquiries into our new Crabber 26 giving great encouragement.
We now go into the New Year with a seven month order book and a
line of firm enquiries that will take us through to the PSP
Southampton Boat Show in September. A well organised Show
which has overcome the weather and financial conditions to provide
a confident display to the boat buying public. Well done BMF and
NBS."
Miles Moorhouse, Fairline: “We’re
experiencing a bumper year, selling across the range from big to
small to clients from all over the world. We met our sales
target for the Show before the final weekend.”
David Howard, Aqua-dock: “This has been
the first show for Aqua-dock. We’ve been thrilled with the
results, taking a number of orders together with enquiries from all
parts of the world. In uncertain economic times, it’s
rewarding to sell a British made product at a truly British
show.”
Richard Pillow, Personal Touch: “We were
pleased to see the dedicated visitors who came to the Show the
first weekend. We managed to take a bigger stand at the Show,
thanks to NBS’ ECD scheme, and this proved fruitful as Saturday (16
January) was our best ever sales day including all the years at
Earls Court. Overall, we’re up on last year’s sales
figures.”
*to be audited.
Further exhibitor quotes:
Corps of Royal Engineers, Andrew Sherston:
“After 56 years, the Royal Corps of Engineers is delighted to have
had a presence at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat
Show. We have had very positive comments from visitors about our
display and we have enjoyed being in the public eye. From a
recruitment point of view, the event has proved a success with
three quality candidates contact details being passed on to the map
making team, of which only five new people are required per
year. We have enjoyed working with NBS and look forward to
working with them in the future.”
Marvel Marine, Brad Payne (new
exhibitor): “If the Show had only been two days it still
would have been fantastic. Being able to produce boat names
and graphics on site has meant we’ve had great interest from
exhibitors and visitors.”
Crewsaver, Guy Page: “It’s
been a very promising finish to the end of the Show. It’s
been an outstanding show to launch our new lifejacket and the first
production has totally sold out.”
Mobmat, Liz Rolfs (new
exhibitor):
“The Show this year has been a good sales
opportunity but equally important for making new contacts, both
business to business and potential distributors. We’ve also
had lots of press interest and as such we’re very pleased, not just
with sales but with brand awareness and the exposure
generated.”
Navimo, Ross Wilkinson:
“Despite adverse conditions and economic
climate the Show proved better than expected.”
Andrew Smythe,
Cactus:
“We’ve had a very good Show.
There’s been a good level of sales and we’re currently 20% up on
last year. Overall, this event is a good showcase for the
industry; NBS cannot do anymore, it’s now up to the manufacturers
to improve the offering further. Having the X Factor stars
involved in the Show, both on Public Preview Day and Late Night
Thursday, was a positive experience.”
Cornish Cruising, Nick
Jordan:
“We’ve had some good leads and enquiries and
the same distribution of brochures as last year. It was
noticeably quiet at the beginning but the quality of visitors was
excellent. We’ve taken bookings here at the Show so overall
it was well worth attending.”
Discover Inland Waterways attraction
with The River Thames, Eugene Baston:
“16% of Show visitors last Sunday went through
the narrow boat. We’ve had lots of good enquiries and
questions about getting into river cruising and it’s been an ideal
platform for directing visitors out to the display of narrow boats
on the dock.”
Topper, Rick Reading:
“We’ve done okay. We’ve had some great
reactions for our new catamaran range both from the public and from
holiday companies. Despite numbers being down, those attending are
interested in the boat range we have.”
Bridge Marine, Jenny
Boyle:
“The last three days have been busy with lots
of enquiries and orders taken. The weatherman didn’t help to
attract visitors and it’s been publicity we couldn’t have imagined.
As Suzuki dealers and first time exhibitors we are glad we
came.”