Questioned before the ExCeL event, most would have reckoned that anything over 100,000 would be doing well. So, forget the target; the outcome was brilliant.

And it's congratulations to Andy Williams and the entire National Boat Shows (NBS) team for the hard work and effort they put into this show.

And let's just point out to James Brooke that his Earls Court Boat Show (ECBS) had nothing to do with the design, shape and features at the London Boat Show. These things were sorted long before the ECBS was announced.

Obviously NBS and the British Marine Federation (BMF) responded to the threat of the ECBS and this certainly benefited the show, so thanks to Mr Brooke for that.

But without belittling the effort and work that went into this LBS, it was the show the industry has been shouting out for since 2004. And we can only wonder where the industry would be now if we'd taken this boat show to ExCeL in 2004.

But no. We didn't. And the mantra became Where's the stage? Or: Where's the WOW factor? Where's the show's focal point?

For whatever reason, those in control at the time seemed, unfortunately, to miss the point entirely.

So the industry's words - demands, even - fell on deaf ears and we had to suffer through the wallowing intervening shows before the current NBS team and the non-execs found a common cause.

The names of Methven and Morgan on the one side and Stevens and Williams - backed by their excellent teams - fall neatly into the frame here. Well done all of you, says BB.

Plus those behind the scenes who are too many to mention. But Murray Ellis and John Goode deserve their 15 minutes of fame.

But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves here. The show was good - the stage spectacular in particular was entrancing: a true spectacle indeed - but there's still has some way to go.

My bugbear
My personal bugbear is the walkway from the DLR station. Why don't we have huge pictures of boats hanging up there? Or giant plasma screens showing live action? Or maybe have some real boats - a few dinghies and runabouts. It takes too long from getting off the DLR to seeing a boat (no offence Sealine, but your decorated(?) boat must leave many slightly puzzled).

And while the North Hall had a boat show buzz about it, the South Hall lacks all atmosphere. It's still just serried ranks of glossy plastic. And walking in at the east end I felt I ought to be on tiptoes, apologising to the exhibitors for disturbing them by making a noise. It was deathly quiet in there.

Sunseeker fired up one of its sound systems and put some music out, which helped enormously. A pity it was Coldplay...

And the signage! There are some pictures in Peter Poland's article showing the few signs pointing people out to the quayside. And quayside signage was meant to be one of the things NBS paid special attention this year.

And what about the stand numbers? Why can't we have each stand being required to display its number? It can be very frustrating finding your way around ExCeL.

And some signs hanging from the ceiling giving an indication of what stand numbers were below would help.

But it must be said the building is gradually becoming less of an echoing warehouse. And the surrounding areas are all gradually coming up in the world.

When we first went to ExCeL, I reckoned it would take a good five or seven years before we began to see the potential of the area.

We've had five years over there and the future's beginning to look brighter all the time.

The opening
The show was opened by the double act of Griff Rhys Jones and Sir Robin Knox Johnston, which was a disappointment to those who had been expecting Take That to perform the function.

In fact, the Boy Band was going to do the official launch of a couple of Sunseekers, but they cried off almost at the last minute, leaving the 'opera sensations Teatro to do the job.

BB enjoyed the headline on All At Sea the day after the show, highlighting the Rhys Jones/Knox Johnston double act with the headline of Yacht man and Robin.

Sue Baggaley, CSL MD, who wrote the line, said later that Boat Man and Robin would have been better.

But when you have only an hour or two to get the issue out...

The M&S effect
The talk around the show was, at first, to wonder if the Marks & Spencer effect would have any affect. As the days wore on, it became apparent the status quo had been maintained: essentially, those operating at the top level were awash with money and orders. But those at the other end of the market were having to work a little harder to make the money.

There were one or two less than pleased exhibitors, but on the whole, those I talked to seemed to be quite happy with the show and felt the industry had got off lightly after the Peters debacle had been followed by the US sub-prime losses, Northern Rock and the lack of an interest rate cut as the show began.

Luckily the Challenger Syndicateships crash didn't seem to reach the ears of those who could make a story out of it. It may yet happen yet.

But business was done and I was surprised to read in the end-of show press release that Northshore had upped it sales over last year by 50%. As Poland remarks in his jottings, the ECBS had revelled in telling us all that Northshore had sold 12 boats worth £1.8m at its show.

When I spoke to Northshore's marketing manager Claire Horsman, she said she had no idea where James Brooke got those figures. 'We only sold 10 boats there and we never give out figures,' she insisted.

She did sound quite satisfied to confirm Northshore now had 70 boats to build this year. Now that's what BB calls bucking the trend. Not bad, eh?

The bars were still echoing of the Peters Plc debacle and the client account. If you're going to BBEx you'll find a couple of seminars on protecting client money, but it was interesting to talk to people about how they were handling things.

While some were waiting on the BMF to come up with A Plan, others had taken some action.

Both Ancasta and Princess reckoned to have their clients' money ringfenced at the bank and therefore protected if the company goes to the wall.

BB's tame legal eagle, Tim Reynolds (he's giving the BBEx seminar in partnership with the BMF's Nigel John) reckons such bank accounts will not be able to withstand the attentions of an aggressive receiver - we'll see what comes out at BBEx.

Behind the scenes the usual stout work went on for the industry with various Top Chaps (and HRH The Princess Royal) being wined and dined and brought up to speed with what a good job we're all doing for UK Plc.

Awards
And there were a few presentations.

The Marine Trades Association (MTA) Dinner saw two presentations made. The first was to Nigel John BMF company secretary, in recognition of his sterling service to the industry over the years. He retires on XXXXXXXXX to his little place in France.

BB wishes Nigel well and offers thanks for the help over the years.

The second MTA presentation was its Marine Trade Personality of the year, which went to Navimo's general manager, Ross Wilkinson - a popular choice.

On the following evening, the Marine Engine and Equipment Manufacturers' Association (MEEMA) presented its coveted Mic Randall Award to Poole Harbourmaster Peter Booth, who was nominated for his fantastic work in helping to create a satisfactory PWC beach management programme for Poole. The harbour leads the way in working with PWCs and their riders to the benefit of each side.

David Pougher, MEEMA chairman told BB: 'Peter identified that the need to control is better than to ban and send the culprits off in all directions...'

Booth is retiring from his current position and MEEMA wanted to mark his support to the PWP in a rightful manner.

The Raymarine/YJA Yachtsman of the Year was presented in the famous Painted Hall at Greenwich. YJA chairman Bob Fisher presented the trophy to his friend Sir Robin Knox Johnston.

The Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year went to 12 year old Laurence Greenough from Plymouth, who won the award for his courage and determination to overcome adversity.

Greenough lost a leg in a boating accident in May 2006 but was back sailing just two months later in an unmodified boat.

His commitment to helping others and encouraging potential young sailors is extraordinary for someone of his age.

A member of the Plymouth Youth Sailing Club, he took part in the Topper Travellers in the South West Zone in 2007 and also competed in the NSSA National Regatta where he finished 15th Topper out of 76.

It makes you feel a bit humble, doesn't it?

BMF annual stats
The BMF published its annual industry statistics which, as they say, indicated 'robust growth'.

The total turnover of the UK leisure and small commercial marine industry is almost £3 billion – an increase of around 6.5% from 2005/6 (when did small commercial' become part of the leisure marine industry?).

Export revenue is in excess of £1 billion – up over 12% from 2005/6.

There are almost 35,700 employees across the industry in the UK, an increase of 1.9% from 2005/6

And there are around 4,300 businesses operating in the UK leisure and small commercial marine market

One to One
Another BMF organised event saw buyers from as far a field as Australia and Taiwan getting involved. Its International One to One, in association with IBI and UKTI, over four days of the show, features a 'speed dating' format, with 20 minute meetings arranged for buyers and suppliers over the four days.

'Over the last seven years, the buyer missions have generated millions of pounds worth of business for our equipment suppliers,' said Howard Pridding, executive director of the BMF.

One buyer at the event, David Elderkin from French distributor Vidal Marine commented: 'One to one meetings are the most successful way to meet new people and suppliers. It is my preferred way to visit shows and events. The event in London was very well organised. Superb job guys!' That's nice.

Superyacht UK, one of the largest BMF associations launched its new careers website www.superyacht.com/careers. This site is designed to close the gap between interest in superyachts and action, providing information on entry routes, career progression, qualifications needed and recruitment and training providers.

The tremendous growth experienced by the superyacht industry, estimated at 500% in the past 10 years, has created a worldwide shortage of trained and qualified crew, both on deck and in engineering occupations.

Experts estimate that 435 yachts of more than 30 metres were launched in 2007, in addition to a number of 100 metres plus, creating a further huge demand.

Exhibitor events
First run as part of the Southampton Boat Show last year, NBS organised four exhibitor evening events during the ExCeL show.

Both the meal at Jamie Oliver’s ‘Fifteen’ restaurant, sponsored by Halyard, and the Indoor Karting Team Challenge were sold out.

The ‘Night at the Dogs’ and the night at the Brick Lane Music Hall were also well attended.

Many exhibitors have already asked what evening events are planned for next year’s show at ExCeL and one exhibitor has already committed to sponsoring an evening event. Another has already asked to be put down for the exhibitor evening events for this year's SBS.

'In terms of timing,' said organiser Andrea Williams, 'we found that exhibitors were content with looking after themselves for the last Friday/Saturday nights, so next year we'll run events from the first Sunday through to Wednesday only.'

A big ‘thank you’ has to go to Thames Clippers who provided free transport for each evening’s event, she added. Their drivers Phil Bridge and Rob Campbell really added to the atmosphere of each evening – we will be asking for them personally next time!

If you have any suggestions or ideas for the exhibitors evening events, either at Southampton or London, contact Andrea Williams on 01753 840680 or email her on andreawilliams@assorti.co.uk