I went to LIBS and survived, but...

Whilst I'm not going to argue that the show is now inescapably smaller than Southampton and that unlike some previous years I am not going back for a second day, are people overdoing the "luxury lifestyle" complaints a bit? It was almost all in one corner up at the motorboat end where no worthy bearded salt had any business being. In that respect I think the organisers did better than last year. The jacuzzis and patio furniture are less avoidable at Southampton. And if I was going to look at anything non-boaty I'd prefer an insanely expensive car to a gazebo.
 
Richard Shead said:
I know when it was built I exhibited at every boat show (and others) since it started. Its dusty, the air con has long since expired and it has a big ugly wart stuck to the side called EC1.

The sooner its dust the better, it cannot cater for the needs of a London Boat Show.

A trade show full of shell schemes yes a boats how no.

LIBS may not be what it once was this year but its holding its own and folk are selling.

Lets stick tot he facts (not aimed at you)

There are not too many hot tubs, there are not too many wine stalls and there are a few cars the compliment the large power.

Yes Paris and Dusseldorf have more sail but we aint in Paris or Dusseldorf...
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I take your points about the quality of the halls compared with Excel, or any other purpose built venue.

I have mounted major display stands at shows; one, two or even three times a year, UK and international since 1976 and have chaired trade associations that organise them. Shows are fragile things. Successful ones can easily be affected by changes in dates or venues. Emotion and sentimentality are factors whether we like it or not.

Admittedly I don't have the numbers for the marine industry but in the same way as many industry people say "stop hanging onto the dusty past", they have to face up to whether or not the show will be embraced in the same way at Excel as it once was at Earls Court - irrespective of the economic outlook. As a punter I believe that I am Mr average. I never enjoyed the show at Excel as much as previously, due to the general feel of the place. I also believe that the visitor numbers started to drop off before the economic situation started to affect boat sales.

I've done a few shows at the NEC now and actually think it would benefit the boat show. It has a better feel and in pleasant surroundings. (I know and accept that Earls Court is not an option now, my tongue was in my cheek). :)
 
Yacht Breeze said:
It is quite clear to all that LIBS is dying. We went yesterday and in many areas bored salesmen outnumbered visitors. Teak furniture makers outnumbered teak deck suppliers. Wine stands, car stands and massage stands stood where, in the past, were marina exhibitors.

We won't go again. However, why do the magazines continue to 'talk up' the show? Which brave editor is going to grasp the nettle and report what we all know to be true, that LIBS is doomed and in its death throes while the Southampton Show is the future of marine exhibitions in the UK.

RIP LBS.
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Talk up the show? I think you will find they tell it as it is, if there is stuff to see they will say (see YM email) if they think it may be the last show they will say( see MBM email)

I think both Mags and organisers are fairly open about the numbers and have been for a number of years, this is today's daily email news from them...


Good Morning,

I hope you all had a good press day. An encouraging 240 press and media journalists came to the Show and the day was busy with interviews and coverage from the Wall Street Journal, Daily Mail, ITV Meridian, Bloomsburg, Exhibition News and BBC Radio Solent.

Today is day two of the Careers, Skills and Education Week with children from 18 nation-wide schools coming to the Show. There is lots for them to do on the On The Water Multi Activity Pools, learning in the Knowledge Box and visiting the Royal Navy but if there is anything you would like us to highlight to them please let us know.

Yesterday’s attendance was 6954 (+17%) compared to this time last year and cumulatively we are at 27,948 (+2%).

If you didn’t get to read Boat Show News you can view and download each daily edition HERE. To keep up to date with everything happening at the Show follow us @LoveBoatShows #TPLBS or find us on Facebook – Love Boat Shows.

I hope you all have a good Tuesday.

Kind regards
Emma


Emma York
PR & Communications Manager
British Marine Federation/National Boat Shows
 
I see a slight issue with those numbers.
Cumulative figures showing a 2% increase on last year is not so good and could also be represented as a big fall in visitors depending upon how you spin it.

100,000 visitors over 10 days (10,000 per day) equals 11,111 visitors per day required to stand still as show is now 9 days.
 
Comet, Jessops, HMV and now LIBS

Went today and couldn't believe how much it has contracted, just awful. Without bumping into some old mates it would have been difficult to find things of interest after half an hour. When does the get out clause in the lease kick in?
One mate who runs a med charter company reckons the outdoor leisure show will take over next year.
Roll on Southampton.
 
The last London Boat I went to was about 4 years ago when we had snow for most of the show and that was blamed on numbers, looking at the forecast for the end of the week if you are thinking of going best go before Friday! A little way away but I think London may be hit by a little snow, possibly Friday night and Saturday.
 
Richard Shead said:
Horse......absoulte horse
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Richard -to be clear then you are saying that the magazine is not worried about the potential loss of advertising revenue if it were to print a foreword saying "LIBS has little to offer the yachtsman that they wouldn't find online or at their local chandlery, we suggest that whilst its nit bad value for a day out if you live close by, if you add in the cost of travel and accommodation you'd be better off saving your money and going to Southamoton"

It doesn't matter whether you agree with the above, the point I'm making is that even if the editor felt exactly like that he'd never publish due to the commercial pressure from advertisers

Be honest now!
 
skyflyer said:
Richard -to be clear then you are saying that the magazine is not worried about the potential loss of advertising revenue if it were to print a foreword saying "LIBS has little to offer the yachtsman that they wouldn't find online or at their local chandlery, we suggest that whilst its nit bad value for a day out if you live close by, if you add in the cost of travel and accommodation you'd be better off saving your money and going to Southamoton"

It doesn't matter whether you agree with the above, the point I'm making is that even if the editor felt exactly like that he'd never publish due to the commercial pressure from advertisers

Be honest now!
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There is no commercial pressure whatsoever to write about the show.


Each Editor has written a very honest report of the show so far and I have published the attandance figs on here more than once. ALL the sailing publications had stated that there are very few Sailing boats but equally there is a lot on offer for the yachtsman inc the brilliant World Crusing feature.

There are no smoke and mirrors it is what it is.

It is not overrun with sheds and wine stalls and many people here are doing a good trade inculding us. however Thursday was poor, Friday was bad, yesterday was bonkers and today is very slow.

I just wish people would report the facts, leave Earls Court in the past and stay out of conversations they clealry no nothing about (not aimed at you)

The industry is in a fairly bad way as is the global economy so it should come as no surpisre that tiems are tough and there are fewer
exhibitors.

But its not half the size and poeple are selling boats FACT.

And for the record Dusseldorf was not that busy yesterday.

Cheers
 
Richard

I know you said it wasn't aimed at me, but as the OP it's worth re-stating that I did actually go, and I went last year too.

Attendance figures are misleading because what people here are interested in is whetherteh show is worthwhile for yachtsmen.

Lots of other categories of people may find plenty to make the day seem worthwhile but those of us that are 'just' sailors less so perhaps and that is really the debate here.

There is no commercial pressure whatsoever to write about the show.
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A politician's answer I'm afraid as that was not the question asked! Whilst there may be no pressure on editors to write about the show there is probably some pressure not to be negative about the show. Motorboat World may have plenty positive to say, but I doubt YM would.

In fairness the one plus-side was that i felt I had not missed anything. The day we spent there gave me enough time to see all the stands I wanted to - which apart from a quick walk-past did not include the Mobo section - each to their own!
 
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Richard,

I love your positive attitude, BUT !

It's not just the lack of sailing boats and the diabolical SAS endurance style journey from West Sussex, the thing which really got me about Excel is the dreadful lack of atmosphere; and I was being paid to be there the last time I went !

Something like a display of historic or interesting boats - the James Caird at yes, Earls Court springs to mind - would help a lot, and when I visited for the very last time a few years ago there were no decent chandlery stands like the old OM Watts, maybe that has changed ?

I can't help idly wondering off the top of the head if you and IPC could mount some sort of interesting display of publications and boats through the ages, if Excel has the brains to allow it at an affordable price; even a meet-up for forumites ( those foam rubber things they used on ' Gladiators ' to hit people about the head with may be required ) and a competition for radio controlled yachts on a paddling pool ?!

FWIW it's years since I've been to Southampton either, as while it's infinitely better it is timed perfectly to be cold and raining, so I'm usually sailing ! :rolleyes:

Andy
 
Well I went with my family & we want to give it the thumbs up
I have been almost every year since a teenager & can still recall Sceptres mast towering up into the roof of the main hall at Earls Court ( My grandfather was the site agent in charge of constructing all the underground carparks & access ways which many walking from the station will have trudged through), & rumaging on Thomas Foulkes Stand, or looking at the Henry Browne ,Sestral stand-( Yes I still have 2 working compasses)
I agree it has lost a lot of its charm from all the small stands but we have to accept that most of these companies no longer exist
I went pricipally for the meeting of the My Hanse Forumites & it was great to meet them .Seven came from sweden for the show & Inspiration Marine presented a prize for the " Fun in sailing" photo competition which I instigated
I missed the wide range of sailing boats & some of the sailmakers, but like many others I was not buying this year ( I still managed to blow £3 k)
One thing i enjoyed & I hope it is repeated, was the show in the north hall. I really enjoyed the " Fold up bike race" & watching the mountain bikers on the small track.
No! I will not be going to Southampton, but I expect I will still be going to LIBS next year
 
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Just got back home to Sheffield after going down to London on Friday to visit the show yesterday. Many years since we last went, usually go to Southampton, but we decided to give it a try. The whole family enjoyed it together with the outside show adjoining, didn't visit the MOBO's, not interested, decided we'd do it again next year.
 
Plenty full yesterday. Impressive crowds.

Did an OK deal on a buoyancy aid and a racing watch. Did a good deal today on 45m of 10mm dyneema - about 2/3 off.
 
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