We're using the two main ground floor halls, the Solent Hall and the Windsor Hall. And you'll find the Boating Business stand in the Solent Hall - number 97, where you need to come for two reasons.

First, you can meet the BB team - editor Peter Nash and advertisement manager Lorraine Curtis will be at the show on both days, so come and say hello.

And two - that's where you come for your FREE drink.

This year is BB's 25th Anniversary, so we're celebrating all year round - starting at BBEx. We'll have a big party during Seawork in June, but we're offering everyone a FREE drink on our stand at BBEx - courtesy of Bainbridge Marine - to kick off our Silver Anniversary celebrations.

You'll find a coupon for the FREE drink on page 30 of the February issue of boating Business, along with the floor plan of the show. Bring the coupon along to stand 97 and enjoy your drink with us.

Who's exhibiting?
In short, around 180 companies showing the latest products, innovations and technologies.

A glance at the exhibitor list on pages 32 and 33 of the February issue of BB will show you the big names are at BBEx, but here’s a taster: Cooney Marine, Marathon Leisure, Navimo, Harken UK, McMurdo, C-Quip, David Lewin Consulting, Southern Cross Marine, IMP, Lalizas Marine, Johnson Outdoors, Meridian Zero (Waterbuoy), Timage (GB), Seafresh Desalinators, Marlow Ropes, Proboat, C A Clase (UK) Yacht Kit, Sonic Marine, S M Group - and lots more.

What products are here?
You'll find our BBEx Products Preview starting on page 27 of the February issue - it gives you an idea of just some of the products you'll find out on the exhibition floor. And then check out the Innovations Showcase.

In its usual position to the left of Registration as you enter the BIC, this year’s Innovations Showcase has some excellent products – including the Waterbuoy, which featured heavily in the Dragons' Den television programme. Inventor/developer James Halliburton is due to also be at the show.

And the Innovations Showcase now has its own, very smart hall that displays each of the 50 products superbly.

Pre-season deals
And you’ll find there are lots of exhibitor offers to bump-start the season - so you’ll get the chance to hammer out the best pre-season deals with the early Easter start to the season just around the corner. All deals are only on offer for the two days of BBEx…

Workshops and Seminars
All the BBEx ’08 Workshops and Seminars run in the Bayview Lounge up the escalators from the entrance hall And here's the programme.

Wednesday 13 February
10.30 - 11.30 Successful Trading in a Challenging Market
Presented by Tim Reynolds of Dyer Burdett & Co and Nigel John of the British Marine Federation, this session covers credit given and received, financial security & consumers money.

12.00 - 12.30 Pinching the E-commerce Clothes
Presented by Jonno Barratt, Kudos Software.
The growth in e-retailing has some surprising drivers: it’s not all about price. So what can web traders teach the traditional business about what our customers really want in terms of service, and how can retailers and service businesses steal their best ideas for a change? The fight back starts here.

14.00 - 14.45 Health & Safety Briefing for Boat Builders: Paint Spraying and GRP in Boatyards - learn the facts and be prepared for an HSE inspection campaign in 2008.
If you are a manager, supervisor or contractor involved in paint spraying or GRP laying up, attendance at this FREE session is imperative. The briefing will be given by HSE Inspectors involved in an inspection campaign looking at health issues, fire and explosion, hand/arm vibration, noise and falls from height associated with paint spraying and GRP operations.

Thursday 14 February
10.30 - 11.15 Health & Safety Briefing for Boat Builders: Paint Spraying and GRP in Boatyards - learn the facts and be prepared for an HSE inspection campaign in 2008.
If you are a manager, supervisor or contractor involved in paint spraying or GRP laying up, attendance at this FREE session is imperative. The briefing will be given by HSE Inspectors involved in an inspection campaign looking at health issues, fire and explosion, hand/arm vibration, noise and falls from height associated with paint spraying and GRP operations.

12.00 - 1.00 Successful Trading in a Challenging Market
Presented by Tim Reynolds of Dyer Burdett & Co and Nigel John of the British Marine Federation, this session covers credit given and received, financial security & consumers money.

14.00 - 14.30 Environment Management within the Marine Industry
We are all under pressure to be more environmentally aware. Brian Clark of the British Marine Federation covers Green issues and the NEW Boating Business Environmental Award.

15.00 - 15.30 Train to Gain
Presented by Mandy Swadel, Brokerage Team Manager, Dorset Train to Gain
Find out how and where to get money for training your workforce.

And don't forget the BB party on the Wednesday evening. It's FREE to all pre-registered visitors and BBEx exhibitors.

The party starts at 17.30 and includes the presentation of the BBEx/MTA awards. Come and find out who is the Retailer of the Year. And who will receive the Scott Deverell Young Businessperson of the Year? And then there's The Dyer Burdett Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

We have two new awards this year, the first being the boats.com Website Award. The second new award is the English Braids Environment Award. We follow that with the Marine Skills Centre Innovations Award.

Finally, we present the Boating Business Lifetime Achievement Award.

The inaugural presentation of the BB Lifetime Achievement award last year went to David Coleman of Barton Marine – there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Come and have a drink or two and see who the industry reckons are the cream of the crop for this year.