The big question is why we didn't see much of the rest of the marine trade beyond those stalwart mates from the retail sector? Where were the riggers, the boat yards, the project managers, the designers, the boat builders?

I saw plenty of reasons for them to be there. I saw rope manufacturers, furling gear, electronics, interior and exterior fittings, fabrics, rigging terminals, heck there were even some deck hardware companies kicking about.

They all had plenty to show to a wide range of visitors. For all I know these customers were put off by the retail nature of the marketing effort.

We all know that suppliers have to go out and find buyers. But it is equally true that buyers need to go out and research what is on the market. For this show to prosper, we need to attract a broader spectrum of visitor and prove to them that it is worth their time and effort. I am concerned that either those customers were unaware of the value of the show, or worse still, rejected it as irrelevant. This has to change.

The sad fact is that if the attendance remains predominantly in the retail sector, it becomes harder for companies with a wider customer base to justify their investment when good alternatives exist.

Yours faithfully, Andy Ash-Vie Managing Director Harken UK Ltd