Feature & Attraction Opportunities

Notification of Feature and Attraction Opportunities

The introduction of new features and attractions to the 2007 Collins Stewart London Boat Show resulted in the best overall experience and value for money ratings by visitors in recent years with 93% claiming that they will revisit the show again. Building on this success, and following a lengthy consultative process, National Boat Shows will be increasing the entertainment and attraction elements of the show even further.

Organisations are being invited to submit expressions of interest on a commercial media or participatory basis. Cash sponsors, media partners and partner suppliers are being sought.

A summary of attractions and opportunities is listed below and full details can be found by clicking on the respective link. Descriptions are subject to change and development.

A deadline for all expressions of interest has been set for August 10th 2007.

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DAILY MAIL
National Promotion
Media valuation £1m

For the past two years, the Daily Mail has been the formal media partner for the London Boat Show. An exchange of benefits between National Boat Shows and Associated Newspapers (Daily Mail) has resulted in a £1m promotion in support of the show including £400,000 spent on TV advertising. At the centre of this promotion is a significant prize, typically involving an overseas property valued at approx £200K and a boat (power for the last two years) with a retail value of approx £125-150,000. Companies wishing to supply either of these prizes should contact: James Gower 01784 223619 jgower@britishmarine.co.uk. A number of business models can be explored to deliver this fantastic opportunity. Full details are on the website.

Click here for more information on this opportunity

MAIN FEATURE
Located: Centre of North Hall
Dimensions : 35m Width x 32 Depth

Investment in this step-change facility will be significant. An impressive multi-purpose stage, theatre and entertainment facility is being constructed. A continuous schedule of entertainment, fashion, seminars and experiences will run throughout each day. State of the art technology and an experienced production team will make the 2008 show an event to remember. This centrally located attraction could be ‘opened up’ to cover big-audience events and private evening functions but equally ‘contracted’ to accommodate more intimate, lecture-orientated presentations to smaller gatherings.

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ANCHOR WATCH
Located: Centre of North Hall
Dimensions: 27.5m x 8m

Back by popular demand, the Masterclass on practical anchoring will repeat the crowd-pulling demonstrations that went down extremely well with everyone from beginners to experienced sailors alike.

Manned by very experienced and entertaining instructors – and supplemented with a free colourful information guide outlining the techniques shown – this eye-catching, educational feature cleverly simulates how to overcome the most frequently encountered anchoring problems – both in our own tidal waters and the increasingly crowded town-quay anchorages of the Mediterranean.

The highly visible raised structure could also, between the five-times-daily demonstrations, double-up as a setting for other promotional activities. Located more centrally to accommodate larger audiences on either side of the elongated feature.

Click here for more information on this opportunity

START BOATING
Located: East end of North Hall
Dimensions: 31.5m x 15.5m

A hospitable, salesman-free arena for anyone seeking impartial advice on how to take up boating at its many different levels and contrasting lifestyles. Non-commercial organisations that will be invited to participate should not only aim to enthuse & educate enquiring visitors about a particular aspect of boating, but also grasp the opportunity to attract as many of their own members as possible to this unique, mid-winter meeting place provided by the show.

The very nature of this feature means that it should provide impartial sources of initial advice for those who want to become involved in boating, or move up a level within it.

For those thinking about buying their first boat, there will be owner associations (similar to the Westerlys in 07) who will concentrate on craft at the more affordable pre-owned end of the market. In addition there will be lower priced new product to encourage entry level boating.

Those manning the stands will be carefully briefed on their role to ensure that there’s no overlap with other organisations appearing on this feature – or with those exhibiting commercially elsewhere at the Show. The main objective of this feature, however, is to include as much variety as possible so that it truly is a ‘one stop’ shop.

Click here for more information on this opportunity

DECK GAMES
Located: East of North Hall
Dimensions: 22m x 13.5m

Deck Games is back by popular demand – but bigger and better. To encourage young people of all age groups to participate in boating by providing a range of stimulating activities that are both fun and educational. It’s particularly important to attract those parents who might otherwise avoid a Boat Show trip because they’re worried that within an hour their children will get bored. There will also be a few deckchairs for whacked out parents available.

Younger people in particular love group games, entering competitions and winning prizes – and collecting any sort of freebies that are going. No matter how small, wristbands, badges, posters, etc, are considered real trophies. Therefore the more prizes and/or certificates that can be provided by the industry the better.

Older boys & girls tend to relish more individual or small-group challenges that contain an element of adventure and (perceived) risk – or a technical difficulty that can be overcome in front of their parents or siblings.

Click here for more information on this opportunity

CLASSIC BOAT
Located: North Hall

Our full document on the website indicates the sort of content that would most suit this ever-popular feature. The feature is set to be approximately 25% larger than last year to accommodate the anticipated increased interest generated by the inclusion of the much-publicised ‘Cutty Sark’ restoration project. This should not only help to draw in more classic boat aficionados, but also more visitors from other sectors of the boating community and the general public.

Because of the often more vocational lifestyle of those displaying their much-cherished boats, or the traditional skills they are passionate about, overt commercialism should be avoided. The aim is to create the ambience of a friendly working boatyard, where those taking part might be doing so for the love of it – and where the audience can watch, learn and, most importantly, talk to enthusiastic craftsmen about their work.

Prime feature: Supporting the ‘Cutty Sark’ restoration project
The Cutty Sark Trust will be working on selected artefacts from the main conservation project throughout the Show, bringing back to life original parts of this famous Tea Clipper that was badly damaged by fire in May. A chance to see a mix of cutting-edge science and time-honoured craftsmanship – supported by regular presentations on the Main Feature’s big screens that will bring visitors up to date on the progress of the restoration – both at the Show and at Greenwich, her World Heritage home.

Click here for more information on this opportunity

WATERSPORTS ZONE
Located: South Hall

Watersports exhibitors and related products will be consolidated in a brand new area of the show in the South Hall. A vibrant, fun and interactive focal point will be surrounded by the exhibitors in this section enhancing the lifestyle offering provided by this important sector of the industry. A Sports Bar, entertainment, big screen action and simulators are what we have in mind for this area but we are encouraging organisations to participate and influence what promises to be a popular new area of the show.

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OTHERS
The Guinness Bar: this inherently linked attraction, which now serves wines and spirits as well as Guinness, is now available for partners and sponsors. Be part of this show centrepiece.

CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION
To discuss commercial sponsorship and media partnership opportunities please contact:
Adrian Danson
adanson@britishmarine.co.uk
01784 223617

To discuss value in kind opportunities such as supplying products / staff and participatory content please contact:
John Goode
john@southern.co.uk
01489 580836

TERMS
All expressions of interest and offers are non binding and in no way constitute a contract. Each will be reviewed by the NBS executive who may enter in to formal agreements entirely at their discretion.