PSP - why is a 9% drop in visitor numbers a success?

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Apparently, visitor numbers at SIBS were down 9% on 2010 http://www.mby.com/news/529802/psp-southampton-boat-show-closes-9-down-on-2010. Can anyone explain why this constitutes a 'success' for the organisers? I know the economy is in a parlous state but so it was in 2010 and 2009 for that matter.

 

[Sandyman]

Makes you wonder what size of attendance drop they would admit to before conceding it was a failure ?

Its a success only because they say so. Not like negative views or opinions.

 

[Richard Shead]

I think "just" a 9% drop in attendance at any show could be considered a success in the is climate...I have been to many more that are far worse, HISWA this year for example.

 

[EME]

- Because they expected a 10% drop?
- Because their customers told them it was successful for them?
- Because paying customers told them it was an improvement?
- Because they made more profit?

I dont have a clue but numbers through the gate would not be their only measure of success. (Apart from when such stats suit us all of course! )

 

[mjf]

dunno

I would have said a 9% fall would make it the opposite what would i know not being in the biz.

What I did hear though was the stands / people I see year on year felt the quality of attendeees' was good and biz was being done at all levels. Thats from selling superyacht insurance to suppling retro fit gensets and the like.

You never know on the boat sales - although I know Princess record a sale in an entirely different way to Fairline.

 

[MrB]

At £16 per head it may just be there are 10% less tire kickers there. Also, if the exhibitors made more than they spent exhibiting then that would be deemed a success? Many variables methinks

 

[malcolm2]

If it were not for the good weather over the last weekend it would have been 13% down.

 

[Richard Shead]

If it were not for the good weather over the last weekend it would have been 13% down.

And the rest .... 

 

[henryf]

I see attendance numbers a bit like turnover. Sales is what you need to look at - profit.

These shows can pretty much have whatever attendance figures they want, the ideal home show is the same. All they have to do is offer heavily discounted or even free tickets and numbers increase, but I'm not sure that helps anyone.

Real buyers want to be able to peruse the merchandise without having to elbow their way to the front of the queue. Do we need 2 shows including London? Well probably not. Southampton is close enough to London, in fact from Uxbridge it's almost quicker to get to Southampton than it is excel ! But it probably doesn't do vendors any harm to have another chance to follow up prospects from Southampton and forge new relationships.

Southampton needs to be judged on volume of sales, not bodies through the gate.

Henry

 

[oldgit]

Roll on Excel ....only 14 weeks away and can spring be far behind

 

[Richard Shead]

Roll on Excel ....only 14 weeks away and can spring be far behind

And that is the show we will really need to worry about, more so than ever.

 

[Steve Clayton]

And that is the show we will really need to worry about, more so than ever.

Richard; you could do a straw poll here:

Who went to SIBS and is going to LIBS
Who went to SIBS and is not going to LIBS
Who didn't go to SIBS and is also not going to LIBS
Who didn't go to SIBS but is going to LIBS

Throw in a few why? options for interest.

FYI: the monkey isn't planning on going to LIBS
www.facebook.com/lizzies.monkey

 

[Richard Shead]

Richard; you could do a straw poll here:

Who went to SIBS and is going to LIBS
Who went to SIBS and is not going to LIBS
Who didn't go to SIBS and is also not going to LIBS
Who didn't go to SIBS but is going to LIBS

Throw in a few why? options for interest.

FYI: the monkey isn't planning on going to LIBS
www.facebook.com/lizzies.monkey

Might as well ask who believes in God and what Anchor they use if we are going down the boat show poll route....!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Southampton needs to be judged on volume of sales, not bodies through the gate.

I accept that but IMHO falling attendances at boat shows (and LIBS is falling too) could be indicative of a long term decline in interest in boating which of course is bad for the industry. You can bet your bottom dollar that, had the attendance risen by 9%, the industry would have been shouting it from the rooftops however much actual business was done at the show. We've been in a recession for 4 yrs now and I would have expected visitor numbers to have stabilised, albeit at a low level, but a continuing decline should be a concern for the industry.
This is an old hobby horse of mine but I think 3 national boat shows (SIBS, LIBS and NCE) is 1 or 2 too many both for exhibitors and visitors and I think some consolidation of that situation is necessary

 

[DAKA]

They didnt have a kids area this year ( The Beach) , I realize kids dont buy boats but they still have a huge influence and in any event no kids means swmbo has to stay away to look after the kids, does anyone choose buy a boat without swmbo's input ?
Ultimately is there any point in going alone ?

Alright I accept I am probably in the minority or the show organisers would have kept the beach but the parents who didnt realize the beach had been withdrawn this year would have left early no doubt with bored kids and the knock on effect is next year the kids will not want to go.