At a time when world exhibition attendance is struggling, NBS chose to set a target some 30% above the last Earls Court figure.

But, to be honest, whatever figure NBS had come up with would have attracted derision.

They are damned of they do and damned if they don't.

If they had suggested a realistic target of, say, 160,000, the cry would have been - why are we moving for just a few more people?

But if they manage to attract, say, 170,000 people to ExCeL, instead of it being a massive and highly deserved success, it will be seen as a failure to reach its target of 200,000.

To add a little spice to the picture, BB has offered to eat humble pie and buy the champagne for NBS if they get their target. And we would very much like to be in the position of buying the bottles of pop.

Giving NBS a little fillip, we took a look at two European boat shows that changed venue in 2003. The Oslo Boat show - Sjoen for alle - and the Barcelona Boat Show changed venues for the 2003 shows.

The Oslo show moved just outside the city to Lillestrom and reported a 20% increase in visitor numbers with around 57,000 people attending. Last year's show brought in around 47,000.

The organisers said one of the reasons for the increase in attendance was the new location of the show.

In round terms, a 20% increase on Earls Court will take ExCeL to 180,000. Not far to go?.

But Barcelona, while reporting an increase, unfortunately couldn't match Oslo's impressive figure.

Barcelona attracted 168,000 visitors over its nine days in November. That was just 3,000 more than 2002's 165,000: a 1.85% increase, which will leave ExCeL some way short.

Massive crowds But we live in hope. The £2m promotional campaign looks good in the press and that amount of money ought to result in massive crowds.

If we don't buy NBS the celebratory champagne, we'll buy them a commiseratory (? ) beer or two. And talk about the likely attendance at the 2005 show.

By now, you've read the articles in BB BB /Halyard on how to travel to the show and where to go in Docklands. You will also have had your updated copy of the Where to Go in Docklands with our November issue. If you haven't got it, don't worry - another copy will be dropped on your stand by Halyard.

You may be wondering exactly what you will see when you arrive at ExCeL. So here's a brief outline.

The main entrance is ExCeL West, with ExCeL East being the entrance closest to the East Hall and the windsurfing displays. The show is set out in the two main halls, plus the add-on East Hall. As you walk in the entrance, you are facing east. So the North Hall is to the left of the main boulevard and the South Hall is to the right of the main boulevard.

This, rather sensibly, leads to the stand numbers having a prefix of either N or S. Stands with a number in the 1100 to 1880 range are in the North Hall, while 2100 to 2868 are in the South Hall. The numbers begin at the west entrance and get bigger as you go further down the boulevard. A lot simpler than Earls Court.

And you'll find the displays a lot easier to understand.

Basically, the big boats are at the back and the little boats nearer the main boulevard:

power on the right (South Hall), sail on the left (North Hall).

Chandlery and clothing is just inside the main entrance in the North Hall. Opposite in the South Hall is the electronics section. Deck equipment is next in line in the North Hall, followed by the Inland Waterways feature.

Then come the holidays/ charters/schools, marinas and dinghies in the North Hall, while facing these sections in the South Hall are engines and inflatables.

The Guinness Bar, by the way, is in the north west corner of the building.

The main boulevard runs right through the show. It has lots of eating and snack bars and if you follow it to the end you'll find yourself in the East Hall with the massive 70 x 30m pool and the big television screen.

Following on from the main show's logical numbers, the East Hall benefits from stands beginning with an "E". The numbers run from 3000 upwards.

Watersports is first in line in the East Hall, with canoeing and windsurfing next and then The Big Pool.

Meeting rooms ExCeL has a number of meeting rooms. These are on Level 2 and run along the north and south walls of ExCeL. But instead of sticking with the N and S, ExCeL chooses to refer to the two sides as "Cityside" and "Waterside". For those still confused, Cityside is the north wall and Waterside is the south wall, which faces out onto the Royal Victoria Dock.

Access to these meeting rooms is via various sets of staircases along the relevant walls.

Level 3 will house the RYA Lounge, the BMF Exhibitors Lounge and the press office - the home for us hungry and thirsty journalists. Access is from the main boulevard just inside the West Entrance.

Access to the Royal Victoria Dock is from the South Hall and - at the last count - there were 36 boats on the pontoons. At the western end is the RN frigate, while at the eastern end is the Tall Ships feature.

Topsail Events & Charters is bringing a number of Tall Ships and Thames sailing barges to the show for entertaining and accommodation.

Tall ships Mare Frisium and Swan Fan Makkum will be available for evening entertaining for groups of up to 120 people, and the sailing barges May and Lady Daphne areavailable for groups of up to 40 people.

They say the vessels are suitable for anything from a business breakfast or an AGM right through to a formal dinner or a full on party.

Accommodation is also available on board with prices from £38 (+ VAT) per person for two people sharing a cabin, excluding breakfast.

Among the exhibition boats on display are a couple of Sunseekers, a couple of Broadblue catamarans, Ferretti, Pershing, Beneteau, Bavaria and more. Plus a Severn Class RNLI boat.

There will be an exhibitor party on Monday January 12 and it will probably be in one of the Fox@ExCeL pubs, but details were still being finalised as we went to press.

Virgin Radio Also just being finalised was a last-minute deal with Virgin Radio to become media partner for the Indoor Windsurfing. While no money has changed hands, James Gower tells BB the show will benefit from an extra £100,000 of media exposure throughout the show. Virgin Radio will be running pre-recorded promos - win a windsurfing holiday;

that kind of thing - and the music played around the pool will be from the current Virgin Radio playlist.

Virgin will also have branding around the pool - which helps raise the profile of the show and the windsurfing championships - and will be promoting the two late nights as Virgin Radio "party nights" and telling their listeners to get down to ExCeL to join the fun and see the windsurfers in action. They should be great evenings - full of noise, colour, people and good old crash & burn windsurfing.

In addition to being name sponsor of LIBS, Schroders is also sponsoring Louise Emery, the UK's number one female pro windsurfer.

Emery will be competing in Schroders' colours at the UK Indoor Windsurfing Championships in the East Hall.

"Sponsoring Louise complements our sponsorship of the Schroders London Boat Show, " said Robin Stoakley, managing director of Schroders UK Retail.

"Windsurfing is an exciting and fast-growing sport, which will be given a big boost by the championships in January."

The show is being opened at 11.00 on the 8th by Ellen MacArthur on a satellite link from Sydney, where she will also launch her new 75ft trimaran B&Q on the show's opening day. The ceremony will be conducted in the East Hall, where Ellen will appear on the enormous screen that will be used to generate more excitement for the windsurfing championships.

The London end of the opening will be handled by Keith Mills, CEO of the London 2012 Olympic bid. There will also be a smattering of Olympians on hand to add weight to the proceedings.

One hour after Ellen does her bit, Tracy Edwards MBE gets up to present the Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year and the Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year Award.

This presentation will take place on the Inland Waterways feature at 12.00 on the 8th.

Here is a list of the exhibits we know about. It is by no means definitive, so keep your eyes on the show catalogue and the show daily newspaper for more information.

ABP Haven Marinas - N1772 - announce the opening of the first phase of their brand new East Coast marina - Lowestoft Haven Marina.

Lowestoft Haven Marina has 140 fully serviced berths and is located seaward of the entrance to Oulton Broad in Lake Lothing in the historical commercial and fishing port of Lowestoft.

ABYA - N1680 - the Association of Brokers & Yacht Agents is the main division of the Yacht Brokers Designers & Surveyors Association (YBDSA) and has a stand at LIBS for the first time and will be explaining the ABYA code of practice and offering the 2004 YBDSA handbook.

Activity Holidays - N1726 -is offering a range of set sailing holidays in Greece, Croatia and Turkey and also specialises in putting together custom made packages - for 2004 they are offering learn-to-sail liveaboard tuition courses, flotilla and bareboat charter in Croatia, Greece and Turkey as well as skippered charter and villa-flotilla programmes in Greece and Croatia.

Ancasta International Boat Sales - S2818 and N1675 - is launching Bavaria's BMB37 onberth 30.

Replacing the BMB38, Ancasta says this all-new model encompasses all of Bavaria's developments to date and, with her deep-V hull, the BMB37 will handle brilliantly and ensure comfortable long distance cruising with ease.

Avon Inflatables - S2711 - is launching a new addition to its luxury Seasport De Luxe range. The Seasport 580 De Luxe will be the largest of the Seasport craft.

The 5.8m Seasport features a twin console, complete with steering wheel and hydraulic steering system. It also offers, say Avon, top performance - with a 150hp outboard, the boat can reach 80 kph.

Avon is also running a prize draw with a Rover 280 inflatable with a 5hp Honda outboard to the winner.

Bombard - S2842 - the Explorer SB 480 and Bombard's newliferaft , the Bip Classe II , will be on show.

The Explorer SB 480 is designed as a sociable day cruiser with a deep V fibreglass hull. Having its UK launch is the Bombard Liferaft- Bip Classe II, which will also be on display on the Avon Inflatables stand. They say this liferaft has one of the most comprehensive survival packs on offer.

The canoe industry got behind Canoe Village - you'll find it in the North Hall close to ExCeL West - and high profile names such as YAK, Perception, Pyranha, Palm, BIC Sport, Old Town and the White Water Consultancy will be there.

Ecocat - N1840 - the new Ecocat 28 finally hit the water on November 22. The multi purpose, open deck cat offers fuel economy, high stability, shallow draft, large deck area and excellent sea keeping qualities.

Powered by twin Suzuki DF 50hp four stroke outboards, the boat has a cruising speed of 16/20 knots and a top speed of 25 knots with, they say, low wash, incredible fuel economy, quiet running and low emissions.

Essex Boatyards - S2467 -will be launching the Arvor 250 to replace the Arvor 25. Its new feature is a flat cockpit floor (no engine lid intrusion) against the wheelhouse to port, life raft holder on twin live bats well with circulation pump. Also on show will be the Arvor 190, 215 and 230.

Explorer Marine - S2840 -will have its new deep vee hull of the Explorer Xtreme range.

Targeted at those who want extreme performance at speeds of 55 mph and above, the hull angle at the transom is 28º, which helps the hull break through surf and high breaking waves. Also on show will be the company's "capacious & curvy new double console".

The FADC (Front Access Double Console) has ample storage accessed by lifting up the entire front seat assembly on its gas powered strut.

Hov Pod - E3071 - will launch three new Work Pod models and run a daily competition on their stand to win Hov Pod experience rides at locations throughout the UK.

The Hov Pod is a three-man leisure hovercraft capable of a top speed of 40mph.

Icom UK - S2415 - says its IC-M31 is a simple-to use, waterproof, value-for-money, hand-held marine VHF .They say the IC-M31 is designed for reliable, simple and safe operation. Featuring a one-piece, die-cast aluminium chassis and an ultra-durable polycarbonate case it has a long lasting, rechargeable NiCd battery. The price is £149.00 inc VAT.

International Paint - N1337 - is offering 20% free on its Cruser Uno mid-range antifouling. As of December 2003, Cruiser Uno will be available in new 3ltr tins, for the 2.5ltr price of £63.95.

JAG International Ltd - N1251 - will have its high quality wetsuits at reasonable prices, plus the company's range that takes it into the sailing world with quality breathable racing suits at more reasonable prices.

Jeckells the Sailmakers - N1484 - will be launching its in-boom reefing system. The company will also be making its 50th appearance at LIBS and will have three generations of Jeckells on the stand.

Jotun - N1324 - has a range of products, including Megagloss -a two-pack polyurethane polyester top coat:

Mare Nostrum - a self-polishing copper based antifouling is suitable for any type of boat and available in a range of colours.

Jotun has recently appointed a number of specialist Osmosis Treatment Centres . Initially concentrated on the south and south-east coast of England, this programme is now ready to roll out nationwide.

The Jubilee Sailing Trust - N1700 - is leading the way in making sailing accessible to physically disabled men and women, right across the globe.

Visit the charity to find out more about the charity, or to book a berth on a voyage. A 15% discount on all winter voyages is being offered for voyages booked at the show.

Marine Computing Inter - national - S2400 - is announcing a number of new services at ExCeL, including real-time email compression and weather information services .SmartCom is a software package that makes it easy and efficient to switch between landline, GSM, GPRS and various satellite phones to dial out from a boat to pick up e-mail or access the Internet.

The on-the-fly email compression will cut message costs even further, they say, and the weather information will be displayed graphically and will be more detailed than a number of weather services currently available.

The trailerable and beachable Motorcat 30 will debut on E3080 . The Polish-built cat is powered by twin Evinrude ETEC 50hp outboard engines.

It's unsinkable and offers ample sleeping room for four together with stove, fridge and heads.

Peter Nicholls Yachtbuilders - N1512 - will be showing its Huffler motor yacht as part of the Inland Waterways feature.

Built in 35ft and 40ft lengths as either motor sailer or motor yacht, the 40ft motor yacht version that will be on show.

The shallow draught vessels are, they say, ideal for inland waterways cruising, but are also real sea-going vessels, equally at home crossing the Channel.

River Canal Rescue - N1508 -provides a membership based National Breakdown and Recovery Service to all craft using the inland waterways 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

River Canal Rescue employs both full time, casual and contract marine engineers across the UK. The engineers work from their home base and are equipped to locate, attend and repair vessels in trouble.

Rockley Watersports - N1622 - and its partners will give members of the public the opportunity to try their hand at windsurfing, sailing and canoeing under the supervision of fully qualified Royal Yachting Association approved instructors, illustrating how rewarding watersports can be to people of all ages.

All Rockley Watersports sailing sessions will be free to all visitors, who will be able to sail a range of boats including Laser, Optimist, Topaz, Pico R.S Fevas (two-handed) and Mini J Yachts. Keen canoeists can learn in both an Open Top and a Canadian canoe.

Sealine International - S2868 - will be unveiling details of its T60 Motor Yacht . They say this new flagship, due to be launched in spring 2004, incorporates a wealth of innovative features, including a new design concept to maximise the sense of freedom and space. Using the highest quality materials, a host of new ideas have been incorporated into the new layout. The same exacting standards have also been applied to handling, performance and the cruising capabilities offered by this new luxury motor yacht. Engine options of up to 2 x 1000hp will be available.

Selva Marine - S2620 - will launch the Bull Shark, a "low pressure" direct fuel injection (LPDFI) engine as the first of a new range of 2-stroke outboards . They say the direct fuel injection technology provides an efficient combustion system, which addresses the areas of exhaust emissions and fuel economy on this new 684cc, 50hp unit.

Selva will also introduce two new 4-strokes . The single cylinder, 135cc, overhead cam shaft, models offer clean power with fuel economy and come with a 3 year warranty.

Simrad - S2115 - will be launching a host of new products, all of which use its SimNet data sharing and control network the company unveiled to the trade at METS.

The 34 Series is a range of multi-role navigation products - echo sounders, radar and chartplotters - that can provide full function, dual station facilities for Simrad's professional monitors.

Suzuki - S2505 - will be showing its full range of 4strokes including the 40 to 250hp advanced electronic fuel injection models. The display will be headed by Suzuki's three new V6s making their first appearance together in the UK. The V6s are being offered at their launch prices for the duration of the show.

Tacktick - S2300 - will be showing its DAME Awardwinning Micronet solar - powered wireless instrument system .

BB has waxed lyrical about this system before and this is your chance to go and see what all the other instrument manufacturers will be forced to copy in years to come.

Transas Nautic - S2443 - will be launching a state-of-the-art compact dedicated marine computer system, the Sea PC.

It features an Intel Pentium lll processor, a 12v DC or 24v DC power supply and four serial COM ports and a 64-bit Apollo Graphics controller.

Walton Marine - N1527 and S2839 - will be exhibiting Sea Otter and Jeanneau motorboats.

The Jeanneau range of motor cruisers will include the new Prestige 34. The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 will be exhibited on the Inland Waterways feature.

Walton will be showing three Sea Otters; the 31' and 51' narrowboats and a 40' wide beam barge -displayed on the Inland Waterways feature (the 31 footer will be in the slipway).

Webasto - N1417 - launches Teleheating , which enables a boat's Webasto heating to be started remotely. This is achieved by dialling a dedicated number assigned to the heater and ensures a comfortably prewarmed boat on boarding.