Unfortunately this support has to be continually reapplied for, and falls well below the funding required to do a comprehensive marketing job.

This is despite the fact that independent research carried out on behalf of VisitScotland revealed two years ago that the total worth of marine leisure activity to the Scottish economy was £224m. More, as it turned out, than golf!

Lunch was sponsored by Ocean Safety, which also gave a short presentation, and was followed by a workshop to reassess boat show issues, such as stand design and operation.

Useful input from Mike Enser of National Boat Shows and Stuart Hulley of Standco, SS's stand contractors, helped members arrive at some radically different conclusions about how Sail Scotland should present itself at ExCeL in the future.

One was that the Sail Scotland joint marketing concept should be carried through to specialist groups, such as marinas, charter companies, training, etc, and they must co-operate to present a range of products rather than only selling their own, which will reduce the most expensive element of the show - the cost of manning.

This unity will also extend to uniform clothing, and a much greater emphasis on "Welcome to Scotland" at a reception point on the stand.

This, combined with the essential strengthening of the stand's visual identity, and an on-stand programme of Scottish activities, should revitalize Sail Scotland's presence at its most important boat show.