LIBS. Again. Sorry...

[Saguday]

...but we really enjoyed it.

Now, I know this goes against the grain a bit on this forum but me and SWMBO spent from 11AM until 7PM there yesterday (Saturday) and loved it. Couldn't stand Earls Court, give me a nice big, new purpose built conference centre anyday. Drove from Somerset to stay with sister-in-law in Kent and paid about 7 squids to get train into London, wander underground and then DLR to Excel no probs. Even got to sit at the front of the DLR as it did it's funky shimmy down the wickety-wackety way. There was tons to see. Found many stand staff very friendly and chatty, especially Rob on Crewsaver /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif We even went on a cat!!! First time ever, the Broadblue 385 on the water. I may even start a thread on it. I'd like to see the boats-on-the-water bit expand in future years - I think this would really be the icing on the cake - heaven knows there is enough room in the dock and it would really set the show apart from the Earls Court days.

There. I've said it.

Neil

 

[cookjwm]

So did we.... plenty of eating /drinking places ,not all rip offs ,stand staff very good and helpful, clean , good toilets better than Earls court any day. More boats please though and there was a distinct lack of low cost booths for the one product/one man bands -at trade exhibitions which I attend there is always a space for these. Although we still had the whirlpool spa, special glue, food slicer lot!

 

[beancounter]

Another unfashionable view...

...we enjoyed it too.

Got down there early yesterday - we were at the PBO stand at 9.50 claiming our free Guiness token. Parking was fine - no queues at that time of the morning.

Spent the morning looking over boats - not too may people around, so it was v. pleasant.

Thought the Fog tunnel was a bit of a disappointment, but we both ( especially SWMBO) enjoyed the anchoring demonstration.

Some retail therapy in the afternoon (I was very good - only bought one item not on the shpping list /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ).

Set off home at 5.00, footsore but happy.

 

[Saguday]

Re: Another unfashionable view...

This was the first boatshow where we were able to *sit down on a chair* and eat lunch. Never ever managed it at Earls Court, always had to grab a burger and sit on the dubious carpeting to eat it. Being able to rest part way through did wonders for our enjoyment of the whole show. Maybe we're just getting old...

 

[Woodlouse]

I never went to an Earls Court boatshow, so I can't really compare. But I really enjoyed this one. I get the impression that anyone still complaining about the move to excel either didn't go this year or don't like being wrong.

 

[480321]

Went twice, on preview day and on the last Saturday. Ihr door to door from mid Kent on the Saturday. I thought it was much better than Earls Court, but need more boats on the water a la Southampton. Loved the Nordwest stand and top marks to their sales staff for not hassling you.

Overall, I was impressed with the venue (didnt have time to see everything, which is why i went twice)