As you know, I disagreed with and questioned both the reasons given for moving to ExCeL and the way in which the decision was made.

Having exhibited at ExCeL three times, my views are only reinforced in that the location is wrong for a major retail exhibition and lacks infrastructure both for exhibitors and visitors.

My mark one eyeball survey indicates that the quality of the attendees was not the same as Earls Court and the future years' attendance figures will also be interesting to observe.

On a positive note, the Inland Waterways feature was excellent and to me was the highlight of the show.

As Barrus do not sell to endusers and is an OEM and dealer supplier, we will naturally support our OEM/dealer customers at whichever show they choose to attend. I think the success of the recent Birmingham boat show especially in the "inflatables" market, indicates a shift to regional shows, which is also good news for Southampton.

Perhaps ExCeL will become less of a national show and more of an East Coast Boat Show?"

And, finally?

One final thought comes from Denzil Lee, who now runs Next Step Marketing, but was marketing manager at National Boat Shows from 1989 to 2000.

Lee says he's a bit fed up reading how the ExCeL show broke all records and told BB : "It has been widely but erroneously reported in the marine trade and yachting press that the attendance at the "Boat Show" broke all records/was a record.

I do think the attendance was a fantastic achievement;

but a record, no. And I'm not trying to play ExCeL off against Earls Court either - I've always been a fan of ExCeL and supported the move from (literally) the beginning.

But the Boat Show achieved 232,000 in 1991 - the first year of Earls Court 2 - and as recently as 2000 got 171,000.

Now back in the days before out of town shopping complexes, 24/7 shopping. Warner 12 screen cinemas, theme parks, all day drinking etc, etc, ie; when there was not much to do at the weekend, the Boat Show could pull in over 250,000 and in some years 300,000.

Those days are long gone and in the modern era of consumer shows 213,500 should be recognised for what it is - a great result.

But that will not stop me getting irritated if I see one more reference to a record!"

With those comments, that's the end of ExCeL reflections.

It's now time to start working towards the 2005 show.