We have some interesting plans for the Bourne Lounge which include running some workshops up there. That, and adding lots of huge signs directing people up there. Plus some more ideas we’re still looking at.

Among the seminars and workshops are plans for a heads-up on the Health & Safety Executive's  

So if you’re a BBEx exhibitor, now is the time for you to be thinking about inviting your customers along to the show.

Mercator Media is an expert at organising exhibitions – you already know how well Jane Wilson and her team runs BBEx and Seawork.

There is, however, only one company that is as close to your customers as you are. And that’s you, not Mercator Media.

We try our hardest and have our usual plans in place for print and broadcast media coverage to attract as many people to the show as we can. And we’ll give you all the help we can.

But we need a little help from you as well.

Seminars and workshops
Our seminars and workshops at BBEx are going to be Very Interesting.

The legal/financial seminars will revolve around credit given/credit received, financial security and consumers money and successfully trading in a challenging market environment.

We’re also looking at some practical workshops on composites. And for boat yards: did you know the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has plans for a series of boatyard inspections in 2008?

Take our word for it – these will happen. So we’re running a series of ‘heads up’ Health and Safety briefings for boatbuilders and boatyards that will cover everything a yard needs to ensure compliance.

So if you’re a manager, supervisor or contractor involved in painting, spraying and GRP laying up, this seminar is for you.

More details when we’ve got things finalised.

BBEx/MTA Awards
We have two more awards to present. That’s in addition to our joint BBEx/MTA awards for the Scott Deverell Young Business Person of the Year, the Young Entrepreneur of the Year, the Retailer of the Year and the BB Lifetime Achievement Award. So that’s six awards in all.

But don’t worry: we promise the Tuesday evening FREE drinks/awards party will be a very quick affair.

The two new awards are our Web Design Award and our Environment Award. The first of these is being made in conjunction with boats.com and the second with the British Marine Federation (BMF).

So we need nominations for all our awards. You need to email your nomination(s) to awards@bbex.com and make sure you include full reasons – in 150 words maximum – for your nomination.

You also need to make it clear who you are nominating and who you are. We also need contact details for you.

The BBEx/MTA Scott Deverell Young Business Person of the Year award is for the person aged 40 or under who has, as an employee, done the most for his/her company in building sales or initiating new sales methods of working or enhancing customer service.

Previous winners include Paul Botterill of Barton, Andy Sims of Cooney Marine and Zeb Elliott then of Halyard.

The BBEx/MTA Young Entrepreneur of the Year award is for the person(s) aged 40 or under who has set up their own successful business.

Previous winners include Clive and Mark Johnson of Tacktick and Neil Chapman of Boatshed.

The BBEx/MTA Retailer of the Year award is for the person or company that has done the most business or developed new business methods or set new standards for customer service. Previous winners include BHG Marine and Norfolk Marine.

The Boating Business Lifetime Achievement Award is for the person who has made a difference over their years of working in the UK leisure marine industry – not necessarily one of the ‘names’ in the industry – just someone who has been around and made their presence felt.

The winner of our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award last year was David Coleman of Barton Marine. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house...

Our new BBEx/MTA Website Award is to recognise the website that has made the job of buying online easier, whether that’s from technical developments or from the design of the site. The award is being made in association with boats.com and MD Ian Atkins will be on the judging panel.

Finally, our last new award is the BBEx/MTA Environment Award, which is being made in association with the BMF. Brian Clarke, the BMF’s environment executive, has drawn up the parameters and will sit on the judging panel.

The award will recognise company which is actively implementing sound environmental management practices within their business, such as an Environment Management System, waste reduction/recycling strategies or identifying and solving issues related to their carbon footprint.

Any submission needs to identify strategies that have been in place for at least two years and will need to describe the initiative undertaken, its benefits for the company and the benefits for the environment.

We already have some nominations in for the Young Business Person of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award. So get nominating - email your choice now to awards@bbex.co.uk