Thumbs up for the Earls Court Boat Show

[jstr]

After all the chatter on here, I decided to take yesterday afternoon off and go see for myself.

What I saw was a good show just lacking in a few more punters, and yes perhaps a few more yachts, but they'll come eventually. This is the first year after all - there's bound to be some hesitation on all sides.

That said, speaking to a couple of the exhibitors, whilst there isn't quantity, there is quality. One chap I know well told me they'd sold half what they sold at LIBS last year already. Those that I spoke to said that there were far fewer tyre kickers and that average spend was up dramatically, showing a slightly diferent, or perhaps more dedicated boating type attending.

It was definitely good to have the time to talk with people and not feel like you were in the tube during the rush hour, and there were convenient places to stop for a quick drink with your mates (if only I had any ) and it had that "cosy" atmosphere I remember from the old days.

SWMBO and I had vowed never ever to go back to Excel, and have been relying on SIBS, which is of course fantastic. But I did miss the "Old" Earls Court, and I really think the organisers have done a good job putting on such a good show, when it is obviously quite a gamble.

I do think it takes us back to the old days when a gang of you from the Sailing club would go, dream about and often buy summer holidays in exotic locations and regularly visit the Guinness stand every hour on the hour (and then every half hour and then, Oh well, let's just stay here)

The worry from one exhibitor was "As it gets popular, it'll be a shame if it gets as overcrowded again like it did before"

Thumbs up from me anyway!

 

[StephenSails]

As an exhibitor at EC myself, I can confirm that your views are what most of the trade at the show are expereincing, also taking sometime to walk around the show I feel it has more to offer the visitor. We will be at Excel so it will be interesting to see whether National Boat Shows can actually create a show in Excel rather than an Expo.

Happy times!

 

[happyboater69]

Interesting,

Talking to a guy who is about to fit some new electroncis to my boat (don't ask!) he was drafted in to spend a couple of days on the branded stand and felt the show was lacking in punters spending money across the board.

He quoted a sail maker a few stands down from him and said def wouldn't be coming next year. I'm tryin to get there tommorrow to see for real what it is like

 

[StephenSails]

I am guessing he was in EC2 which everytime I have walked in there has been a bit quieter then EC1. It is a shame if there are exhibitors giving up so early, we all new this was the first year and it would take a couple to get going, it does seem to be getting busier each day, hopefully this weekend will pick up as the weather outside looks like it is going to be pants.

 

[alldownwind]

There's something faintly surreal about the comments that EC is enjoyable "because it's quiet".
If it does become successful (i.e. get lots of punters through the door) in future years, it won't be quiet any more will it...........

 

[fastjedi]

More marketing opportunities rarely result in more marketing budget (typically around 5% of turnover) So, many suppliers will chose to mis one of the big 3 shows or take less space. If EC is "quiet" and Excel is also "quiet", next years events may be even weaker. For some suppliers the internet has reduced dependancy on shows. Clearly, there is no substitute if you want to crawl over a new boat ... but i'm not sure the business case will look so convincing for equipment suppliers.

This is exactly what happened in the IT / Comms industry in the late 1990's. Too many trade shows, tough trading conditions, suppliers only attending to prove they were still in business, followed by a complete meltdown of the trade show scene.

And if the credit crunch really bits next year the marine industry may find some tough trading conditions?

 

[StephenSails]

[ QUOTE ]
There's something faintly surreal about the comments that EC is enjoyable "because it's quiet".
If it does become successful (i.e. get lots of punters through the door) in future years, it won't be quiet any more will it...........

[/ QUOTE ]

If they got another 20% to 30% of the type of people who have been visiting it would be a very good show for the trade, I know quite a few companies who have done very well from it. Thankfully there has been virtually no tyre kickers or bunches of lunatic school kids prowling hoovering promo goodies at this one.

 

[JonBrooks]

Totally agree with Stephen,

I have spent a few day's working on the "Branded Electronics" stand. mentioned in another post.
I am guessing you were talking to one of the guys that don't work for the electronics company?
I had a long chat with the owner of the company on my last day there, Wednesday, his feeling was he would be back next year and I know we would go back to support him.

The sales they have done this week would not of hapened if they were not there and for them and for us in turn, a bonus at this time of year.

It remains to be seen if this in turn has an impact on sales in January at Excell.

I also like that fact that it is not over busy at EC and that I did not speak to any tyre kickers, all I spoke to were gen boat owners looking to upgrade or by something new.

From our point of view a hand held radio makes a nice treat that you can wrap up and put under the tree!
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Danny Jo]

I liked it. I am interested in wooden boat construction, and got to speak to two wooden boat builders. I need a new genny, and got to speak to a sailmaker prepared to come and measure up and provide an alternative quote to my regular supplier. I need a decent rope clutch for the furling gear, and got to handle a number of different suitable products. I need some new fenders, wanted to understand why there is such a broad range of prices, and learned what I should be looking for. I saw Francis Chichester sailing up the Thames in 1967, and had a wonderful time in 2007 crawling all over the restored Gipsy Moth IV, as the only punter on board. The majestic Fife and the half-restored classics were great, and for a bit of humour, I could not beat looking at all the clones of me (of a certain age, male, with expanding middle and disappearing hair) having "destressing" massages at the hands of sleek young women.

My only regret is that I didn't get the chance to use my second ticket - one day wasn't quite enough for me.

Incidentally, was that really Cold Play on Monday evening?

 

[porteous]

I didn't go, having read some poor reviews from first day visitors. After reading comments here I will definitely go next year for the following reasons:
1. I am interested in practical sensible boating
2. I sail an ancient Westerly so always looking for new gear one way and another - If I can talk to "hands on" experts I will both earn AND buy.
3. If it is fuller I don't mind as long as it's full of interested old fashioned boaters.
4. If it gets full of tyre kickers/ mega bucks plastic gin palaces with snotty sales people/rubberneckers I will not be too interested in going.

So I think it's all about atmosphere. If it is a show which concentrates on catering to the sort of hands on practical boater that actually learns seamanship and runs his boat with a mixture of pragmatism and practical skills, as it appears to have done this year, then I will be there next year. If I can get round and have somewhere to sit down with a reasonable priced pint and sandwich that's an added bonus and means I will go again every year.

Perhaps the folks that like enormous power boats and up market yachts with all the trimmings would enjoy Docklands more. It takes all sorts and two shows catering for different ends of the market might find they both attract more people that are actually going to spend in the market place they each represent than just one show stuffed to the gills trying to cater for everyone?? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Twister_Ken]

Was there today (Friday). Lots of good, interesting stuff, and plenty of time and space to look at it. A few more people and a few more stands and it would have been really good. As it was, most satisfactory from my p-o-v, and the only money spent was on Messrs Whyte & Mackay's prime electric sauce. And maybe a new mainsail (oracle to be consulted).

 

[Cutter]

was there too on Friday and didnt see you. Enjoyed the ambience and ability to talk to whom one wanted. Good chat to Ken Becken in Cowes High St.
Didn't enjoy the price of an indifferent salmon platter and half bottle of bubbles.....
Nice to see Shackletons boat - passed it every day at school and Harding Dunnett who helped the campaign was a next door neighbour when growing up.