The object was to stay in a hotel at ExCeL and behave as exhibitors might after a hard day's work(! ).

For this first trip, we chose to do the top-end-spend bit: a few drinks and a good meal in Canary Wharf. We have another trip planned that will research an evening out for those without the bottomless expense account.

The Travel Inn at ExCeL was our departure point. The hotel opened its doors three weeks before our project: it charges £69.95 a night (room only) and was booked solid for LIBS within a few days of opening.

I travelled to ExCeL by public transport for this event.

It took me two hours - double the time it takes to drive - but the journey was easy.

The Travel Inn hotel is a short walk from Prince Regent, the Docklands Light Railways (DLR) stop at the eastern entrance to ExCeL. And when I say a short walk, I mean just that.

I met James Grazebrook, Paul Streeter from National Boat Shows and Kevin Murphy from ExCeL in the bar and, after a beer, we decided to a make use of the DLR and head for Canary Wharf. Emerging from the vast underground station that is Canary Wharf, there are bars everywhere. So we headed for the nearest, Smollensky's, for a couple of beers.

After Smollensky's, we went for a couple of beers at Chili's, right opposite Pizza Express in Cabot Place - the centre of the giant shopping mall that lies in, around and under Canary Wharf.

Then it was time for the restaurant, 1st Edition. Canary Wharf is a little confusing the first time you visit. But there are lots of maps, so you treat it as a bit of treasure hunt.

The restaurant was good.

The staff were friendly, especially when we told them why we were there: any business is going to be interested in the sudden influx of a few thousand people in an otherwise dull January.

The tourist people at Tower Hamlets are trying to gear up some of the local bars to run "boat show nights", or aim at being The Place For Boat Show People To Meet.

Our one criticism is there was little happening when we left the restaurant. The Tower Hamlets people say the area is buzzing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and there's plenty to do. But we were there on a Tuesday.

Space restrictions mean I can't give you the full run down on the evening, but I can assure you the Canary Wharf we saw is ideal for the gentler post-show evening: a few beers, an evening meal and back to the hotel.

There are undoubtedly places for late night people, but that wasn't our research brief this time round.

We will bring you more Docklands research a little nearer the time.