• NEXT YEAR’S SHOW WILL GO
• 2018’s FIVE DAY FORMAT WASN’T SUPPORTED
• SOUTHAMPTON SHOW WILL BE BOOSTED

British Marine, organisers of the London Boat Show have announced that the 2019 show will not take place.

The show was due to run at ExCeL London from 9-13 January 2019,but after research by the independent specialists Zing Insights showed there was insufficient support from many in the marine industry the decision to cancel has been made.

BM’s Annabel Wildey writes: “In the last three weeks, Zing Insights has carried out personal interviews with over 67% of exhibitors. This revealed that whilst a number of marine companies supported the change to a five day Show, finding it preferable to a 10 day Show, a large number of key exhibitors were not prepared to commit to exhibiting to a five day Show at ExCeL in January 2019.

“Visitor research also showed that consumer satisfaction of the 2018 Show was below acceptable industry standards. Visitor satisfaction was centred on the content of the Show and specifically on the number and diversity of sailing and power boats exhibited. The research results showed a year-on-year decline in audience satisfaction which would continue to fall if the Show proceeded in the same format and continued to fail to satisfy visitor expectations.

“Zing’s research findings have been endorsed by British Marine’s exhibition sales staff who, despite intensive sales efforts, reported that an insufficient number of signed contracts of commitment to the 2019 Show had been returned. This was particularly significant amongst boatbuilders and boat retailers. Lack of signed contracts from this sector also affected confidence from other potential exhibitors, further reducing confirmed sign ups within the deadline.

“Sales activity and support for the London Boat Show is in contrast with British Marine’s TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show, which attracts close to 500 exhibitors and more than 106,000 visitors and has the support of title sponsorTheYachtMarket.com. The 2018 event is significantly ahead in terms of ticket sales and exhibitor sign ups compared to this time last year. TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show 2018, running over 10 days from 14-23 September, celebrates its 50th year with a host of special events and activities taking place.”

British Marine will now concentrate on making Southampton larger and with more exciting features, displays and attractions.

“The decision to put the London Boat Show on hold is naturally very disappointing,” said David Pougher, President of British Marine, “but we cannot commit to running a Show which is clearly forecasted in its current format to be commercially unviable. We must offer events which are affordable, accessible, welcomed and supported by the industry and its customers, and financially viable.  This is now the task for the British Marine team – to seek new opportunities to support our industry,” concluded David Pougher.

British Marine organises and owns TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show, which takes place from 14–23 September 2018. See www.southamptonboatshow.com for more details.

 

Image from 2008 Boatshow press opening with Griff Rhys Jones and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston