No one really knew what to expect when the Sail, Power & Watersports Show rode into town last Wednesday but the consensus is that the organisers have pulled off a success story in the face of an economic downturn. They have successfully established a marketplace that has created a cash sales environment; the tills have been ringing and buyers are using cash and it’s not ‘borrowed’ money as the banks aren’t lending says the Show’s Managing Director, James Brooke.
Organisers have also revealed an 18% increase in visitor attendance figures over last year, coming in at 41,300.
“This is a great achievement for everyone and the Show is a shining example of a success story in a really tough economic climate. Many millions of pounds worth of business has been done over five days under one roof and the Show has provided a successful trading platform for its exhibitors – you couldn’t ask for better than that right now,” comments Brooke. “This has been perfectly timed and exhibitors have been creating leads that will help them realise their trading expectations into 2009,” says James Brooke.
Show Sales Director, Caroline Evans, is also feeling buoyed up by the success being reported back, “We've really thought outside the box, we've had vision, and in the economic crisis, as well as working closely with the exhibitors, we've also found new ways of getting them to unite in support of each other. We have come up with intelligent solutions to facilitate new business. Yachtworld Brokers Village, Marine Electronics Services (MES) and Boatbid.com have all succeeded in proving that creative marketing really does work,” says Caroline Evans.
There is a long-term relationship in place with show venue Earls Court and the terms have been agreed for 2009 with the show dates being announced as 25 – 29 November 2009.
Buoyant business
Imperial Motor Yachts, specialists in sourcing some of the finest motor yachts in the world, including Avantgarde Yachts, Johnson and van der Valk, have had an extremely lucrative week. Michael Miller, the company's Managing Director, said at the close of business at the show today, "We are delighted, particularly with the fact we've had a cold client who has come on the stand and enquired about our range of Dutch bespoke motoryachts. He has signed a letter of intent, pre-Christmas, to finalise his specification on his 19m van der Valk."
Miller continued: "We are delighted to have made a new, walk-in contact like that but being here has also proven very useful in that we have seen a lot of existing clients and contacts. At the level of the boats we're building – bespoke motor yachts – there is still a serious intent to get on with life and move forward and we're very pleased with the response." The brokerage side of the business has also been fruitful with one client signing up for a three-month charter on one of their 45m yachts.
Meanwhile, the company that produces the Osprey, the Gul, the Wayfarer, the Wanderer, the Supernova and the Optimist is proud to say that it the fastest growing boat builder in the UK. Hartley Laminates is an exhibitor that has really got behind the Show’s affordable boating message to attract grass roots sailors and new blood into the sport and are delighted to have sold eight boats today.
On the RIBs front, Scorpion RIBs grabbed visitor’s attention as soon they entered the show with their 8.5m and exquisite stand design. M.D. Patrick Byrne says he is quietly confident that sales of two boats will be finalised in the next few weeks. There’s also been some serious interest in the three boats on display at the RIB International RIBZONE, including a Pascoe SY10.
Paul Bertie, the M.D. of Cowes-based Ocean World said, “We’ve picked up about 25 new customers which is far and away the best return we’ve had this year whilst exhibiting at a show, and we’ll definitely be back next year. We're really happy.”
Visitor attractions help bring in the crowds this weekend
Crowds were five deep at the central pool to watch the final rounds of the spectacular Rail Masters wake boarding event. Louis Floyd fought off tough competition from James Young in the final. “Louis rode really solidly throughout, with 370 degree spins from one rail to another,” said judge Tim Woodhead from Alliance Wake, who ran the event. Riders use skate board-style rails on an 8ft high platform before somersaulting and spinning into the pool. It is “the best looking pool gap we have ever built,” said Tim Woodhead.
Daily courses in the Inland Waterways section of the show have been phenomenally popular. Visitors have learnt about engine maintenance, first aid courses for boaters and boat handling skills. A constant flow of people have made their way to the dedicated zone, according to Will Trickett from Trickett Boats, and he says there’s been a lovely atmosphere amongst the exhibitors and visitors alike. A similar opinion was voiced by the team manning the popular RNLI Lifeboat Simulator.
First time exhibitor Charlie Spokes is thrilled with the success of her company Pimp My Float. Her company is less than a year old and this is her first ever show. Pimp my Float puts all the essential safety gear any aspiring sailor needs and Charlie says, “we’ve had loads of interest in the product and its been really popular, and we hope to be back next year.”
The Royal Marines Commando Display wowed visitors with their display of unarmed combat, punching and throwing each other to the ground. When they weren’t performing somersaults they were abseiling from the top of Earls Court into the central pool. They saved their best display until today, abseiling down in full sub aqua kit to land in the water and swim around the hulls of all the yachts in the pool.
All in all, this Show has delivered on all fronts and organisers look forward to building on this year’s successes and welcoming exhibitors and visitors alike back to Earls Court next November.
More news and images at www.earlscourt2008.com