Show Feedback

Since the start of the Show, the boating consumer and trade media have visited the Show to given their opinions on this year’s event. Overall response has been highly favourable towards this year’s event, with particular praise going to the Main Stage powered by Fairline, and overall atmosphere.

The following comments from the boating media have been posted to readers on their respective websites:

“Dancers and circus-style acrobats join together in an imaginative and literally uplifting Cirque de Soleil-style high wire act featuring the 'Sea Queen', a giant 30ft puppet, with a troupe of dancing girls performing to music. It may sound odd, but it was quite brilliant. This has put the 'wow' factor back in to ExCeL and given the show a focal point. You might say it was the new 'heart' of the show. Offering entertainment and spectacle amidst the more down-to-earth stands selling everything from shackles and rope to dream yachts, dayboats, dinghies and windsurfers.”

Yachting Monthly (online)

“Sir Robin Knox-Johnston was asked what he liked about this year's show so far: "I'm very pleased to see that we've got a focus this year - the stage. I think it's a great idea to have somewhere the public can come to find out what's going on. It's a focus to the show that's been missing."

Practical Boat Owner (online)

“ExCeL wins the battle of the boat shows
It ain't gonna happen, but the grown ups at National Boat Shows should put a call in to those young upstarts at Earls Court and thank them. The reason they should do this is that without Earls Court we wouldn't have realised just how good ExCeL is.

You go to a car show to see cars, you go to a bike show to see bikes and we all go to the boat show to see boats. That is exactly what ExCeL delivers, and what a superb selection we have this year….We've been pretty critical of ExCel over the last few years but 2008 is proving a vintage show. I'm sorry Earls Court, you might be cute and cuddly but this is the real deal.”

Carl Richardson, Editor Motor Boats Monthly (Blog)

“The final (attendance) figures will make for interesting reading, given the recent Earls Court event and the upcoming Birmingham show. I imagine that any attendance increase over last year will have the BMF whooping for joy. And so they should, as the show has a vibrancy that's been lacking these last few years. As mentioned in a previous blog, the stage shows in the North Hall are fantastic, and the layout is more ergonomic and less prone to 'dead corners'.”

Stewart Campbell, Assistant Editor, Motor Boats Monthly (Blog)

“As I walked in today I couldn't believe the transformation, gone are the work trucks and machinery (in build-up) replaced with an impressive array of boats, from nippy daycruisers to huge yachts. There is also a great selection of chandlery, and as a first-timer I'm still trying to work out how I am going to fit it all in. There is a real buzz about the place. Visitors are already piling through the doors and with a stage delivering top-quality entertainment, I think this is going to be a show to remember.”

Sally Coffey, News and Features Writer, Motor Boats Monthly (Blog)

“London Boat Show off to a promising start…
“…The show looks very good and is a creditable advance on last year’s show. The stage show is generally thought to be excellent entertainment and a real crowd-puller…..The atmosphere was also very up and people were ready – regardless of the Marks & Spencer effects – to do business.”

Peter Nash, Editor, Boating Business (online)