Southampton Boat Show attendance

[Daydream believer]

Personally, I'd like a shorter show. One that has specific themes for each day, perhaps a focus on different types of water use, e.g. motor boats , yachts, inland, dinghies (perhaps not as they have their own show) and safety. Talks are good, but need to be short and sharp with time for discussion with the speaker afterwards. Not just a Q&A session, but time round a table to explore the talk in depth for those who want to.

So the only day I can go, is themed as something that I am not interested in. More reason to give it a miss.
With a QA session will many not bother because they are too shy to ask in public in case; with their beginner question; they may embarrass themselves.

 

[Sandy]

So the only day I can go, is themed as something that I am not interested in. More reason to give it a miss.
With a QA session will many not bother because they are too shy to ask in public in case; with their beginner question; they may embarrass themselves.

I look at it from the other direction. I'd look at what was on and go on a day that best suited my interests.

I specifically mentioned that the speaker would be available for a quiet chat afterwards. I have run many talks with a speaker, there is always a Q&A session where there are always question, some quite pithy, asked. I am always amazed to see a number of people who hang back for a quiet chat with the speaker and some of the best questions are asked the,

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I look at it from the other direction. I'd look at what was on and go on a day that best suited my interests.

I specifically mentioned that the speaker would be available for a quiet chat afterwards. I have run many talks with a speaker, there is always a Q&A session where there are always question, some quite pithy, asked. I am always amazed to see a number of people who hang back for a quiet chat with the speaker and some of the best questions are asked the,

Q&A sessions are usual at academic conferences. My experience of them is that while they can be very useful and bring out interesting ideas, they can also be dominated by those whose aim is to show how clever they are. In my own field, the first time I delivered a paper at a conference I was warned to expect this, as there was someone known for asking a question after every presentation in the audience!

 

[doug748]

.........., they can also be dominated by those whose aim is to show how clever they are.......

How unlike our own dear forum

 

[AntarcticPilot]

How unlike our own dear forum

But the advantage of a forum is that you can ignore those who are less helpful.

 

[rotrax]

I was heckled by three Hells Angels at the Lickey Ash Motorcycle club forty years ago when doing a presentation on the new six cylinder Kawasaki Z1300.

I casually let slip that my mate John Read, known in custom bike circles as 'Uncle Bunt', had ridden the one I was riding and was in the process of buying one to customise.

Bunty was the leading custom and chopper builder at the time and had a shop in Didcot. I was the last bloke to get him in a suit and tie for a Hot Gosip gig at the Windsor Blazers Nightclub.

Their demeanor changed and I had to be quite diplomatic in fending off their offered pints as I had to ride back home.

Getting back to the issue, yes, many try to impress others with how clever they are, rather than passing on useful information. I came across it many, many times.

 

[Frogmogman]

Just visited the Salon Nautique in Paris today. A pale shadow of it’s former self. All of the boats in only one hall, hardly any sailing yachts (Beneteau only had 2 on their stand, and neither was the new first 36 that I actually wanted to look at). Not much to choose from in clothing and chandlery. I think, like the London show, it too may be in its death throes.

My apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but what I have to impart seems relevant, so rather than start a new one, I thought I’d tack it in here.

The salon Nautique in Paris was cancelled for this year. Two consecutive years of disappointing attendance, with a consequential loss of interest from exhibitors is the reason given. I suspect my wife may have put them up to it, as having told her I was just popping into the boat show in 2021, I came back having shaken hands on a deal to buy my boat…

The plan they have announced is for a new show to take place in October, at a site yet to be announced, but “dans le Grand Paris”. It is to be waterside, with indoor and outdoor exhibits, some of the boats to be afloat, encouraging (they hope) exhibitors to bring bigger models.

This, of course, makes it very hot on the heels of le Grand Pavois at La Rochelle, which is in September. I’m not so sure that that’s a good thing.

I’ll be interested to see what happens.

 

[Mark-1]

Maybe it’s an age thing but I have little interest in wandering around a boat show for the sake of it

I've never understood a boat show during the sailing season when people could be out sailing. Especially late season when people are desperate to cram the last few days in if the weather's good.

The London boat show always made far more sense to me.

(I accept I'm objectively wrong about that because the LBS died a death and the SBS survives.)

 

[flaming]

I've never understood a boat show during the sailing season when people could be out sailing. Especially late season when people are desperate to cram the last few days in if the weather's good.

The London boat show always made far more sense to me.

(I accept I'm objectively wrong about that because the LBS died a death and the SBS survives.)

London didn't die because of when it was, it died because of where it was. And more specifically the enormous costs incurred by the mainly south coast based marine companies to ship boats and kit, and then accommodate people in London for 10 days.
There just came a point where the extra sales didn't justify it.
In terms of when it was I think you are absolutely right.

 

[Bouba]

Bringing those big boats through central London was more of a show than the show

 

[14K478]

I used to like the Earls' Court Boat Show. It was crowded and a bit grubby in places but it was fun, it was at time of year when you didn't want to be on the boat, it was small enough to get round.

Hated the Excel thing.

 

[Bouba]

I used to like the Earls' Court Boat Show. It was crowded and a bit grubby in places but it was fun, it was at time of year when you didn't want to be on the boat, it was small enough to get round.

Hated the Excel thing.

Yes..I had forgotten about Excel ...I also meant Earls Court

 

[capnsensible]

I used to like the Earls' Court Boat Show. It was crowded and a bit grubby in places but it was fun, it was at time of year when you didn't want to be on the boat, it was small enough to get round.

Hated the Excel thing.

From an exhibitors point of view I can say that Earls Court was without doubt fantastic. Hundreds of us staffing the stands were all in cheapo hotels very nearby. Pubs and restaurants out the ying yang. I'm convinced far more business was sorted after the last punter had wandered out and the staff invites to bars and suppers began. Loved it.

Excel.....lost the plot. Yeah some tried hard at that big central pub but most dispersed all across the area and that was game over. We did one show staying in a hotel walking distance just over the bridge, but overall costs meant no more. Shame.

 

[Biggles Wader]

Excel is in the middle of a desolate wasteland, what used to be a thriving if seedy area of London docks. That all closed down in the 70s and the pubs (and brothels) closed too. Who goes for a night out in West India dock now?

 

[E39mad]

From an exhibitors point of view I can say that Earls Court was without doubt fantastic. Hundreds of us staffing the stands were all in cheapo hotels very nearby. Pubs and restaurants out the ying yang. I'm convinced far more business was sorted after the last punter had wandered out and the staff invites to bars and suppers began. Loved it.

Excel.....lost the plot. Yeah some tried hard at that big central pub but most dispersed all across the area and that was game over. We did one show staying in a hotel walking distance just over the bridge, but overall costs meant no more. Shame.

Agree wholeheartedly - used to stay in a South Kensington Hotel of some sort in the early to mid 90's. It was just a crash pad and breakfast before another day in fun that was Earls Court. Mind you usually by 4pm there were more exhibitors than punters in the Guinness Bar.

We used to get £25 a day expenses for lunch and dinner and that went after 4 days - we then relied on the big expense account suppliers such as electronics firms to take us out! Great fun days but not sure my liver could take 10 to 12 days of it now that I'm in my 50's.

Luckily I got out of the industry just before it went to Excel. Went once as a punter mainly to meet friends and ex colleagues but never again.

 

[Frogmogman]

Agree wholeheartedly - used to stay in a South Kensington Hotel of some sort in the early to mid 90's. It was just a crash pad and breakfast before another day in fun that was Earls Court. Mind you usually by 4pm there were more exhibitors than punters in the Guinness Bar.

We used to get £25 a day expenses for lunch and dinner and that went after 4 days - we then relied on the big expense account suppliers such as electronics firms to take us out! Great fun days but not sure my liver could take 10 to 12 days of it now that I'm in my 50's.

Luckily I got out of the industry just before it went to Excel. Went once as a punter mainly to meet friends and ex colleagues but never again.

I remember one year we had a breakfast beach party at a flat in collingham gardens on the morning of the final day of the show, and my cousin and I (we were both working on the Contessa stand) going there on the No 14 bus from Sloane Street wearing swimming trunks, flippers, masks and snorkels. Outside it was trying to snow…

We did get a few funny looks.

 

[Bouba]

While on the bus to the Excel boat show I got talking to some guys who had never been to one before...and one of them asked for my advice (seeing’s how am a boat show veteran)....slip on shoes I said (in fact I’ve even been know to carry a shoehorn)...he looked down at his lace up boots and said...I just bought these for the show

 

[st599]

While on the bus to the Excel boat show I got talking to some guys who had never been to one before...and one of them asked for my advice (seeing’s how am a boat show veteran)....slip on shoes I said (in fact I’ve even been know to carry a shoehorn)...he looked down at his lace up boots and said...I just bought these for the show

At least with the tiny venues like Excel you can get away with any shoes. RAI Amsterdam or Düsseldorf Messe require some trainers to get across the site between meetings.

 

[wully1]

Boot…..how a boat show should be. Unfortunately I cant make it this time ,best boatie days out ever, you can’t see it all in one day.