London Boat Show

[Concerto]

I wonder if you thought about and analysed going to the show too much. Me and my wife just go along for a day out in dull horrible January and we had a good day out. Overthinking things is not my way

Nothing in the promotion for the show made me think I should attend. I know I would have chatted to my sailmaker, visited the Westerly Owners Association, looked at the Centaur (even though I sail a Fulmar), possibly looked at some books and chandlers. As I mentioned before, the show is contracting and with less stands, nothing appealed, so why waste time and effort just because it is something to do on a dull horrible January day. I should mention I only live only 30 miles from Excel, but prefer driving to Southampton for the greater number of exhibitors. The extra driving is certainly rewarded with a better show.

In my opinion there seems to be only one show to go to, but I have not visited it yet, Boot in Germany. It dwarfs Southampton and makes London look like a poor regional show scratching to get exhibitors. Hence my suggestion that perhaps the Southampton and London shows should be combined in a different larger venue. If I am prepared to go to Germany for an exhibition because it is the best, then I would travel some distance in the UK for a show half as good as Boot.

 

[Bru]

There was a semi serious discussion about going to Dusseldorf next year when we got back from Excel

 

[UK-WOOZY]

went to the London boat show on saturday. Utterly disapointed. Hardly any chandlery stalls. And the ones there had hardly anything on show. Too many motorcruisers and WTF with the jacuzzis and other odd stalls. I enjoyed viewing the Jeanneau 319, looks like an modern version of my Sundream. Wish i could afford it. But still, felt it was a waste of a day.

 

[CLB]

In my opinion there seems to be only one show to go to, but I have not visited it yet, Boot in Germany.............................If I am prepared to go to Germany for an exhibition because it is the best...........

do the two emboldened parts of your post not contradict each other?

I have been to Dusseldorf and as big as it is, it really did not live up to its reputation, particular on these forums. There was lots of irrelevant stuff, whole halls in fact, and lots of very big boats that are not of any interest to me or even represented in the UK. It's an interesting trip as a one-off, but for me the only boat show I would not miss is Southampton. (I have also been to Cannes, Paris, Miami and quite a few others). I also don't mind London, and this year was an improvement over previous years. Not much else going on this early in the year, and it is a cheap day out if you play the game properly.

 

[UK-WOOZY]

Id like to go the southampton one but its much too far for me

 

[CLB]

Id like to go the southampton one but its much too far for me

Really? I take it you are based around Erith. It's a distance for one day, I'll grant you, but book a hotel somewhere away from the show, but in a nice place (New Forest?) and make a weekend of it. You'll be pleased to know that parking is only £5 and you can buy lunch for £3 each at the supermarket enroute from the car park. Lots more chandlery stalls and yachts than London, although you may still bump into the odd jacuzzi

 

[ChattingLil]

When I was responsible for it, all details were on the Show website basically as soon as the speaker confirmed. And sure enough, I look at this year's website and there it all is..... And I saw a lot of content pushed out via various social media etc...

I'm really not at all sure what else the organisers could do to publicise them.

fair cop.
I didn't think to look on the website and I don't seem to be hit by any social media, but then, I don't use any apart from this forum and facebook for friends and family!

 

[ex-Gladys]

Id like to go the southampton one but its much too far for me

Huh??? Until a couple of years ago, we drove down and back in a day, and it wasn't an issue and we live near Colchester. We now do the book a hotel a little way away and have a nice weekend, but driving is completely possible. Parking is a fiver for the whole day for the show.

 

[Marmalade]

ie because they don't want you to make a bee-line for a particular stand - they'd prefer you to browse as you wander in search of something...

 

[ex-Gladys]

fair cop.
I didn't think to look on the website and I don't seem to be hit by any social media, but then, I don't use any apart from this forum and facebook for friends and family!

Not sure I agree, that it is a "fair cop"... It's a vast assumption by the organisers that everyone is an inveterate user of social media, like you I'm not, and am never likely to be. It'd be interesting to know how much of the sailing demographic does use social media...

I'll see if I can set up a poll...

 

[flaming]

Not sure I agree, that it is a "fair cop"... It's a vast assumption by the organisers that everyone is an inveterate user of social media, like you I'm not, and am never likely to be. It'd be interesting to know how much of the sailing demographic does use social media...

I'll see if I can set up a poll...

I think just about all of the sailing demographic uses websites though... And all of the information was there....

 

[PeterWright]

What the organisers should do IMHO is release the stand/floor plan in advance, on their website and in sailing mags like they used to, so that visitors can plan what they want to see and where! Why do they not do this any more?

And +1 for that. My feedback focussed on the lack of a guide to what you find where and when, except by buying a ridiculously priced guide, and the complete absence of any clear signage to help you find your way around the show. Anybody who pays for admission should get a decent guide in with the price.

Like Cantata, the 3 shows in one went over my head, unless one of the shows was the lady who asked me at least twice inside an hour whether I have a will - perhaps I look to be in need of one? Really, a stand marketing a will writing service has no place in a boat show.

However, I had a good half day out, meeting all sorts of people that I don't see often enough, got an answer on an electronics interfacing issue (sadly, not the answer I wanted, but now I know) and managed a few glasses of wine from the Moody Owners Association to get me ready for an evening out in London on an altogether different line of business, so I can't complain too much.

At the show, and since, I've spoken to a fair few of the exhibitors I met there, and all put it down as a success in terms of sales and business leads. In all cases, they're planning to do it again next year. I don't know who the customers are, but something must be going right with this show, although I don't see it ever recovering to the glory days at Earls Court. Who nicked the Guiness stand?

Peter

 

[Keith 66]

Quote] Like Cantata, the 3 shows in one went over my head, unless one of the shows was the lady who asked me at least twice inside an hour whether I have a will - perhaps I look to be in need of one? Really, a stand marketing a will writing service has no place in a boat show. ]

Looking at the age of most club members that will writing company probably sees a good market!

 

[Delboy1874]

Alan who works for Kent based company dealing with all things upholstery and will be likely making my new seat covers and curtains so that was handy to bump into

Hi,
this quote goes back a couple of years .. but did you have your upholstery renovated/replaced and was it a good job, reasonable value? If all good then contact details for 'Alan' would be welcomed.
Cheers,

D