Best Laid Plans Etc.

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TheBoatman

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There I was all geared up to go to the LBS today. Arrived at the station to find that God, 2" of snow and Connex S.Eastern had conspired against me.
No trains. No hope,,dahhhhh, well maybe next year?
 
Quietest ever???

Apparently attendances so far at the show have been very low, with some people describing at the poorest show in a long while.

I wonder why. Economic uncertainty? Grotty weather? The fact that it's a week earlier than usual? Fewer rubberneckers?

There's also a general feeling among exhibitors that they are very nervous about ExCel next year.
 
Re: Quietest ever???

What was Southampton like this year in terms of attendance and sales? It seemed packed to me but you never can tell.

Presumably if SIBS was still on the up, it is something to do with LIBS, if not, then it’s the economy
 
Re: Quietest ever???

We went last sunday and were surprised at how easy it was to get around - not many people at all - very pleasant and we easily got a seat in the Terrace Restaurant.
One exhibitor also commented on the move to Excel - he wasn't at all happy; I've never been there but apparently it will be a lot more spacious with several small halls. Have to wait & see...

dickh
I'd rather be sailing... :-) /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
 
There seem to be broadly two types of people who go to the boat show.
Those who go for a reason; to meet people or to buy something particular etc and those who go for a day out.
The traders I have talked to say the first group is still there but the second is missing. Generally the traders I have talked to find this a good thing as there is time and space to sell and money is still changing hands. However this may reflect the fact that generally they are not in the area of impulse purchases or catering.
The Turkish harbour theme is a joke, but at least (unlike the Bond theme of a couple of years ago) a quiet one.
I have been twice, but then I live in London and don't pay for my tickets.
 
Re: Best Laid Plans Etc. UPDATE

Well, I didn't tell God or Connex SE and made it to the show today, I figured I'd creep up on them<s>. The show was noticably quieter this year (although that might not be a bad thing). I met some old friends and generally had a good time.
Tried to meet Kim but he was buried in some little cabin thingy so they gave me a ybw.com biro and sent me on my way.
The biggest crowd I saw today was round the RNLI stand watching the simulator. I did speak to a friend on the Hyde sails stand and he said they were about the same for "sales" this year over last, so it seems its the lookers rather than the buyers that are staying away.
 
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