London Boat Show 2013

[Aries]

More means less: See below

IBI Plus

2013 London boat show plans revealed
Next year's event will have more boats and a new layout
A new layout, more boats, and attractive pricing initiatives are among the changes planned for next year’s Tullett Prebon London Boat Show.
Held exclusively within the South Hall of London’s ExCel Exhibition Centre, the show (January 12-20, 2012) will have hundreds of sail and power boats interspersed with engines, equipment and more.
Boardwalks will house both power and sail boats, including sportsboats and affordable boat packages, and the number of dinghies and small boats will increase in volume.
In order to attract a full range of boats and companies, event organiser National Boat Shows (NBS) has introduced attractive pricing initiatives for exhibitors of up to 50 per cent off the headline price.
For visitors, a cheap day ticket from Monday to Wednesday will cost just £10 if purchased in advance, which will help boost the atmosphere during the more quiet days at the show. Visitors will also be offered ‘one price all day parking’ if booked in advance.
“The 2013 show is being designed to help exhibitors achieve their objectives; the sales platform will not only help exhibitors make sales but also gain new leads, offer networking and help raise brand awareness,” says NBS managing director Murray Ellis.
“With special packages for boat companies, affordable rates for exhibiting and free space for those offering something interactive, it really will offer exhibitors return on investment and be a great selling opportunity in January.”
Exhibitors that have already confirmed their attendance include Fairline; Flexisail; Key Yachting with their sail and power brands J Boats, Grand Soleil and MJM Yachts; Mersea Trailers (MacGregor Yachts); Northshore; Princess Yachts; Roche Marine (Sea Bob); and Sunseeker.

 

[Hoolie]

... ... ...
Held exclusively within the South Hall of London’s ExCel Exhibition Centre, the show (January 12-20, 2012) will have hundreds of sail and power boats interspersed with engines, equipment and more.
... ... ...

Seems to be stuff they put out year after year ... ... ...

 

[jac]

Nothing in that line up that I would be keen to see

Sorry but even though for 2013 LIBS I'll have season ticket into London and probably on the lookout for something I'm not sure I'd attend. Maybe 3 manufacturers but no Hanse, no Bavaria, jeanneau, beneteau etc.

Support the ticket price reduction and the reduction in size hopefully means they've ditched the padding but it just looks sparse so far.

I want to see new boats that I might buy either new if'm lucky or second hand 5 years down the line so AWBs really. A bit of boat porn (halberg, oyster) is fine as I do dream and when I retire......

But now I am most likely to spend on chandlery, clothing etc. Many may want electronics, sails, courses, holidays but still not sure that this is a good place to buy.

So to get to the key question - what is LIBS for??????

 

[Judders]

What they need is some Z-list professional slapper with too much makeup on in a short skirt to open it. That would persuade me to go. I dont know why they havent tried it before really?

 

[Twister_Ken]

Bit of a long-winded way to say they halved the space for the show. Farewell North Hall.

 

[Judders]

Bit of a long-winded way to say they halved the space for the show. Farewell North Hall.

I quite like the third rate estate agent's trainee speak "exclusively in the South Hall" as if by using the word eclusive they'll fool people into thinking"ooh, exclusive" rather than "half the show for two poud of the fecking ticket price"

 

[Twister_Ken]

Sing along after me:

The Boat Show, it's only got one hall
Next year it's going to be real small
A few boats and
A few goats
RNLI, MCA, RYA and CA is about all

 

[BarryH]

The last time I went to the London Boatshow it was held at Earls Court. The wastelands of Excel just didn't do it for me. I really couldn't muster the enthusiasm. Is it any good?

 

[Judders]

I'm really not convinced that LIBS2013 will happen.

 

[fergie_mac66]

terribly boring

 

[uxb]

Deffo not going. 2012 was sh1 t and this sounds like it will be even sadder.

 

[SAMYL]

Are we going to get free parking and a free programme/catalogue like you get at the caravan/cycling show next door. I don't think so.

 

[Steve Clayton]

Only done LIBS twice - didn't tick my boxes yet EC was great; went every year since 1987. SIBS is the only "good" UK venue now

 

[northwind]

What they need is some Z-list professional slapper with too much makeup on in a short skirt to open it. That would persuade me to go. I dont know why they havent tried it before really?

I don't think Dylan would appreciate being talked about like that

 

[jac]

What about

A z list slapper in no skirt??????

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I stuck it out at Excel (not really!) for a few years, but it's such a pain to get to that I wouldn't go if it was free.

Actually I wouldn't go if they paid me £12 on entrance.

Having said that, if I was buying a boat now and specifying it I would go, but that's a minority marketplace.

I too suspect it just might not happen.

 

[Judders]

Having said that, if I was buying a boat now and specifying it I would go, but that's a minority marketplace.

That is pretty much why I went this year. I was coming through London anyway, SWMBO works there so neither of us had to pya travel costs and a friend had just bought his first boat which needed a lot of reserch and comparison so it was worth it, but even then we were disappointed. We met up with lots of old friends from the business but even so it was a damp squib.

 

[robertj]

Travelling from Cornwall it's not in my opinion worth it.
The shows I attended were no where near as good as earls court.
I won't be attending. The ticket price is no help to the exhibiters at all, what with the parking etc I feel more a deterrant.
If it attracts the boating public the exibitors will follow with there nets.

Bob

 

[jac]

I think 2013 is probably last chance saloon

If 2013 fails to drag in the punters who will spend then can't see LIBS surviving.

IMHO the organisers need to focus on getting in the punters who will buy from the exhibitors. If that happens then exhibitors will continue to attend which in turn drags the ticket buying public in.

It just seems in a terminal spiral of decline at the moment, costly to attend for all = high prices on the stands & less money to spend in there = lower profits for stand holders and less reason to shop there= fewer businesses making the decision to go = less attractive for genuine punters to go = empty spaces for organisers and shortfall in ticket sales = organisers flogging spaces to any random company or crowd of people = less attractive for genuine stand holders and sailors.

So ditch the magic vegetable peelers, and cross promotion with luxury cars. Work to reduce costs for the exhibitors, introduce a service for people to get their purchases home from LIBS easily ( Free storage / UPS stand there?) work with boat manufacturers to get them to exhibit - need to understand that the boats are the stars that draw the spending crowds - not some z list slapper.

LIBS need to start defining success by the outcomes for exhibitors, e.g what did they turnover, not by inputs- number of photo's of slapper, attendance, column inches etc.

 

[Norman_E]

Since SIBS is always held when I am away sailing I have been a regular at LIBS, but cutting it down to one hall probably means fewer boats not more, and fewer chandlers. I think I will make the effort to go to Paris next year, and give LIBS a miss.