London Boat Show- how much longer can it go on?

   Massively downsized. forced to share with three other shows- presumably it wouldn't be worth Excel opening without them, and even together still smaller than the boat show of old. Dinghy sailing interest almost completely expunged. With banking bonuses trimmed back a bit, the market for big ugly motorcruisers must be feeling some pain. How many more years can it survive?

(anyone going? As you can guess, I'm not...)

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alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Topic: London Boat Show- how much longer can it go on? Posted: 04 Jan 12 at 1:23pm
	Massively downsized. forced to share with three other shows- presumably it wouldn't be worth Excel opening without them, and even together still smaller than the boat show of old. Dinghy sailing interest almost completely expunged. With banking bonuses trimmed back a bit, the market for big ugly motorcruisers must be feeling some pain. How many more years can it survive? (anyone going? As you can guess, I'm not...)
	-_ Al

rogue Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 978	Post Options Post Reply Quote rogue Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jan 12 at 2:18pm
	no, not this year; it's a joke show these days... more about aspirational lifestyles for uber-rich rather than a celebration of sailing in its various guises. Excel's a joke, even in the industry I'm in, the main exhibition is boycotting Excel and going to Frankfurt. This says it all.... http://www.dickies.co.uk/notice-board/beneteau-decide-not-to-exhibit-at-2012-london-boat-show-

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jan 12 at 7:40pm
	bloody hell, hadn't realised they weren't going. That's huge!
	-_ Al

rogue Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 978	Post Options Post Reply Quote rogue Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jan 12 at 7:44pm
	yep- and more to the point their dealers aren't going either, their dealer network is a fundamental entry point for a lot of would-be yotties imo....

Mister Nick Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 01 Aug 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 389	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mister Nick Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jan 12 at 7:49pm
	I doubt it's going to be much longer to be honest. It was a bit rubbish last year, full of boring gin palaces, arsey salesmen and things totally unrelated to boating. I think I saw a shower cubicle at one stage...? God, if Beneteau aren't going it's not a good sign. I'm only going this year because KeyYachting gave us 4 'special guest' tickets for free :) If my dad wasn't planning on going then I definitely wouldn't bother, it isn't worth all the hassle of waiting around the Foyer of Excel all morning asking people who look vaguely nice to pretend to be my parents so I can actually get in. Edited by Mister Nick - 04 Jan 12 at 7:50pm

G.R.F. Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028	Post Options Post Reply Quote G.R.F. Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jan 12 at 9:02pm
	Well we're looking forward to it from a bike show perspective it was very successfully for us last year, but then were not offering over priced junk with zero customer service and an aeon to wait for it.
	https://www.ease-distribution.com/

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jan 12 at 9:24pm
	It is very telling when the biggest boat builder of them all doesn't go. The real problem is the price of the venue. My old company spent £200k, allegedly, on a stand at Excel last autumn. You've got to sell a lot of stuff to make that worthwhile!

Riki @ RS Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 01 Jun 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 71	Post Options Post Reply Quote Riki @ RS Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jan 12 at 1:43pm
	Its worth noting to dinghy sailors that RS Sailing won't be at the London Show either (nearly as high profile as Beneteau ). Without wishing to be their spokesperson, I gather that Laser Performance or Topper will not be exhibiting either. In recent years the high cost of exhibiting at Excel in proportion to the number of visiting dinghy sailors has made this show a really tough choice. We'll still be offering our usual early season deals www.rssailing.com/showoffers along with an Open weekend at our new HQ in Romsey near Southampton where we'll have the range in the showroom, including the first public showing of the RS900. There'll also be clothing and accessory deals, a repair workshop, used boats and more - weekend of 14th/15th January. Sam is brushing his hair and Paul is cleaning his shoes specially so we hope you fancy popping in. We remain committed to the Dinghy Show, Southampton Boat Show and in fact RS is represented at more than 20 boat shows a year worldwide.
	Riki Hooker Sales Director, RS Sailing www.rssailing.com

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jan 12 at 2:58pm
	Sorry, I did forget that I'd seen your announcement that you weren't going- interesting that your biggest comeption aren't either. From the news pages- "Tamara Ecclestone Opens Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show". Say no more.
	-_ Al

JonathanK156 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 16 Jan 12 Location: Devon Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote JonathanK156 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 12 at 10:56pm
	Oh Dear, what a terrible show. When the show left Earls Court it lost its soul and became a spiritless shadow of the Boat show. I went last about 5 years ago and promised never to go again. I went this year and stayed just over an hour. It was embarrassing that a foreign visitor might travel to see that disgrace. When will the organisers realise the SHOW should entertain, and have boats to see. There needs to be boats of all types and lots of them. It used to take a day to see the show - not just and hour. I am just not surprised the show is failing as no-one wants to waste their time travelling to see such a poor show. It is probably time to cancel the London Boat Show for good.
	Jonathan