Earls Court Boat Show

Ian_Edwards

Ian_Edwards

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Hi,
I went to Earls Court Boat show yesterday and it was more or less empty, more exhibitors than punters.
It was great! More or less like having your own personnel boat show, it was relaxed and I had plenty of time to talk to sail makers, engine suppliers and electronics gurus, who where all looking for someone to talk to. So if you’re looking for advice or a tech’ update ... it’s a great opportunity. Well worth the trip.
Cheers
Ian
 
To state the obvious, I doubt if there is sufficient custom to support two big shows in the same city in consecutive months. Trade stands will pull out leaving us with 2 shows at half cock. I would then prefer to take Eurostar to the Paris show (also December). Should we forumites and/or the trade not start lobbying for one venue? My loyalties lie with Excel.
 
I'm hoping that we end up with EC being a sailing boat show with the stinkies then going to excell. After all it was the large powerboat companies that wanted to move in the first place due to lack of space for their larger craft.

I think both parties would be happy.
 
My grown up family and I enjoyed our visit to the Earls Court Boat Show last Sunday more than any of the other shows that we have been to (espescially Excel which we would never return to).
 
It is all down to cost for exhibitors, especially with the decline of visitors at Excel.
Realistically who can blame companies who need to try something new & fresh ? At the end of the day it is all about feet through the door & people spending money. With rising transport costs & living expensives,very expensive stand rent etc etc who can be surprised ?
For a 30 sq metre stand at Excel is nearly 5k just for the concrete . For an average company without a large boat fleet.
You are looking at basic costs of 10k This is especially hard for any new company BTW this is BEFORE you place any stock on stands the costs are approx and taking into consideration wanting to exhibit as a "new" exhibitor . I really hope EC does well but in general exhibition costs have to come down considerably to encourage new companies etc to visit & take the real risk of foot failure !
 
Trouble is that the non-boat manufacturers then have to attend 2 shows in London within one month with all the added expense that that incurs.
I guess the poor attendance on Sunday reflects the fact that most of us are too busy pre-Christmas to attend all day events at weekends. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Many interesting comments. I went on Monday and probably had the best ever show visit - plenty of time to chat over new sails, buy some winter mid layer clothes and boots at good discounts plus the ability to go on Gipsy Moth and Southerly boats with no long queues. Also seeing boats with full rigs is so much better - and Earls court can accommodate this.

Although I am not in the 'boating industry', shows are meant to generate sales and revenue for the exhibitors so visitor numbers are required (especially the 'buying' visitor). I just hope that somehow the 2 can come together so we have a winter show that caters for all.

Interestingly we were accosted on departure (just outside the show) to answer a short questionairre which gave..... free tickets for Excel.
 
I went on press day and enjoyed it, however it did not take long to go round and the upper level would appear to have have just been filled for the sake of it.

I would have liked to have seen more chandlery, trailerable boats, craftsmen and stuff for other water users such as windsurfers and canoeists as I think that is what that venue lends itself to. If both shows are to coexist in a short time frame imho they need to develop separate identities.
 
I have been today and thought it was worth the visit.
I had a nice cold beer on the YBW stand, thank you Richard /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
It was easy to walk round the show and no problem talking to anybody manning the stands.
Only downside there were no resturants open only snack bars.
 
Today (Tuesday) it was again very quiet. A great shame. There's lots of interesting stuff to see - notably a display of craft that have rowed or pedalled across the Atlantic and Shackleton's James Caird, and also Gypsy Moth IV which you can go aboard with no queues. And on the more commercial side, a lovely restored Contessa 32. I think one of the problems is that people can get good deals on gear on the internet, and exhibitors can't often give better offers at the shows, which cost them a lot more (per day) than a website. Which explains a slight lack of exhibitors, but not really the very thin attendance.
We enjoyed it a lot.
 
Yup, we were there today, although 'cos I had to work 'till 4.30 this morning, I was a bit dazed, so didn't get to meet people etc. However, I enjoyed it and (attendance numbers apart) would recommend a visit. Book yer car parking online (£11.50) much cheaper and soooo convenient! Go, you'll enjoy the lack of overcrowding, although I would have liked to see more saily stuff.
 
Since my return from EC, I’ve talked to several of the leading manufacture who would normal exhibit at boat shows (and aren’t at EC), the feeling is that EC is a logistics nightmare and coincides with the Paris show, whilst Excel, is purpose build, accessible by water and in the New Year.
As a visitor, EC is nice and central surrounded by hotels and restaurants and relatively easy to get to if you’re travelling long distances. Excel is in the middle of nowhere and you’ve got to use the dockland light railway, which somehow doesn’t seem to quite connect with the rest of London.
Splitting sailing from the motor boats is an interesting idea but I’m not sure I care where the “dark side” has its show. Won’t they all be out of business anyway when diesel is at least a £1 per litre and rising?
Cheers
Ian
 
[ QUOTE ]
I think one of the problems is that people can get good deals on gear on the internet, and exhibitors can't often give better offers at the shows, which cost them a lot more (per day) than a website.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes - I agree. The very people that talk about the lack of boat show bargains seem to be the same people that complain if a retailer is more expensive than some box shifter on the internet.

Rick
 
I heard that the organisers have booked for three (more?) years. This should give the exhibitors confidence to make a choice between the two. I will never visit Excel again. I thought the presentation at EC was very slick and luxurious. The stands seemed to be spacious and I found much more to satisfy me than I expected. Next year perhaps the balance will swing but the exhibitors do need visitors.

It is up to us to encourage them if EC is what we prefer.
 
Having spent yesterday @ E.C can only agree! The only bright spot was the Free beer from Richards lady on the YBW stand! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gifAs alway,s the MoBo guy,s had done a cracking job on presentation! even if the colour scheme was a tad garish! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif(you needed sunglasses in E.C.2) but all the stands we talked too, were not happy about the lack of punters! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif By the way Carpark not full! and at £6.00 per hour not suprised. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif (Excel £8.00 per day!) bet that goes up! Would not have wanted to pay £15.00 for what was on offer. Hopefully won,t impact on LIBS.
 
[ QUOTE ]
.....By the way Carpark not full! and at £6.00 per hour not suprised. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif (Excel £8.00 per day!) bet that goes up! ...........

[/ QUOTE ]
In ST it says the Excel parking will be £9 all day.
 
Been to EC in years past, been to Excel in recent years. Been to SIBS - once you have been to SIBS why bother with London other than the need for a mid-winter fix. SIBS knocks 'em both into a cocked hat.
 
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