The comment I wrote for BB's August issue actually gave me some encouragement. I asked what happens now and answered it with 'Nobody knows'. Then I asked what do we do now? And answered it with 'We get on with it'.

What encouraged me is that I got a few telephone calls from people telling me I had got it right in a world led by a media intent on pulling industry down. While there are companies out there doing rather nicely, nobody can say anything other than times are a bit on the tough side right now.

And the show we go into now will set the scene for the London Boat Show at ExCeL in January. If this isn't a good show, there could be exhibitors pulling out of London. Me? I go back to my August comment.

Rain or shine, there'll be people coming to this show ready to buy. Those who put the tin hats on and bemoan their fate will fare less well than those who are out there with a smile on their face ready to take every opportunity to do a bit of business.

The Marine Experience
But before we get to the PSP Southampton Boat Show, there was another show in August that saw a few boats and that was the British International Motor Show (BIMS), which featured the National Boat Shows (NBS) organised Marine Experience.

This was a deal with the BIMS to get a completely different mass audience to take a look at boats. And a mass audience certainly attended ExCeL, to the tune of 472,000. That's nearly four London Boat Shows. Sorry; it's going back to the London INTERNATIONAL Boat Show for the 2009 event.

A few companies pulled of the event, which was a pity, but there was still a pretty good display of boats from dinghies to Sunseekers, so there was something for everyone who went to take a look. And the weather was nice and sunny. But, as with the boat show, signage to get people down to the docks left a little to be desired and was only visible to those walking in the main aisles with their heads turned through 90°. I believe there were some announcements made over the PA, but getting people down to the dockside remains an irritation.

The motor show also runs The Ultimate Collection at the BIMS. The display was upstairs in ExCeL and was top price cars that you’d normally only see Clarkson throwing sideways around his little play track in Surrey. This is a separate section of the show at £100 a ticket and the area was available for private showing in the evenings. Sunseeker used it one evening for its 180 invited guests. The cars were stunning and Very Expensive. Some I had never even heard of, in spite of being an avid watcher of Top Gear. Well, until it turned into a slapstick comedy show, that is.

But talking of top price fast machinery, what happened to Earthrace? The beautifully malevolent looking machine was promised for the Marine Experience, but didn't show up, appearing instead in Lowestoft and in other places around the coast, most recently at MDL's Ocean Village marina. Let's hope ExCeL didn't drive her away by trying to squeeze money out of her to appear...

The Marine Experience was undoubtedly an interesting undertaking by NBS. The participants in the main pronounced themselves happy with the event and likely to return in two years’ time, but maybe the impending credit crunch affected this one. I wonder if it cost the federation much to run?

PSP Southampton Boat Show in association with ITV Meridian
And, with London having been re-anointed, I wonder why the SBS has no ‘international’? After all, most people still refer to the two main shows as LIBS and SIBS, in spite of the ‘international’ being dropped for the past few years because the names were getting to be too long. I suppose the PSP Southampton International Boat Show in association with ITV Meridian is a bit of a mouthful...

So what have we got to look forward to this year, the first under PSP’s title sponsorship?

As we went to press on this issue, NBS was finalising the deal to get a group of Olympic medallists to the show, which will be fantastic. No doubt we will have told you more through BB's Monday Night NewsUpdate before you get to the show.

And, of course, this is the 40th show. Started in 1969 by electricians Norman Kemish and Arthur Gale. The show ran from the 29 September to 4 October, and was officially opened by City Mayor and Alderman Kathy Johnson. There were 37 exhibitors and 13 boats exhibited. The final attendance was quoted as 20,000.

In his report on the show for Yachts and Yachting Peter Cook said: '… there was a representative cross section of the sailing cruisers, power craft, dinghies, equipment, accessories and organisations which one would find at any other boat show. However, with only fifty-odd exhibitors scattered over a large site in marquees, the open air and afloat at a pontoon the show was far from concentrated. Plenty of space for a relatively small number of visitors and ideal weather conditions made the Southampton show one of the most pleasant we have ever attended.'

Many still echo Mr Cook's final thought.

Back to this year's show, which we hope will get around the 127,345 of last year- itself an 8% increase over 2006.

The various developments around the city are on hold for this year and the entrance remains in the same place, but expect to see some changes next year.

You will, however, notice a change this year in the middle of Mayflower Park where the children's playground used to be. It's been moved over near Gate F close to the Royal Pier and nearly all the mounds have been flattened to make way for the central stage, sponsored - as was the LIBS stage - by Fairline.

There are a few interesting new ideas to attract the crowds this year, one of which is Five Things for All the Family, which is a suggested itinerary for families helping them plan their days to get the most of the show.

It starts with Try-a-Boat, suggesting they head over to the booking stand (B85) to get their names down. Then it's on to the H2O Zone before lunch. This new feature, in association with Calshot Activities Centre, is an interactive area where people of all ages can experience on-water sports first hand. They can test their skills at canoeing, kayaking, dinghy sailing, windsurfing and paddle boarding under the guidance of industry professionals from the British Canoe Union and the Royal Yachting Association.

Lunch directs them to the Guinness Bar next door to the H20 zone and the Sunseeker Champagne Bar for drinks, then its' off to the Ocean Catering Village, which has something for everyone.

This year's classy eatery is the Restaurant SO40, in association with Cunard Line, where executive chef Jean-Marie Zimmermann has designed a bespoke menu.

After lunch it's the Hydropool Marina with nearly 400 boats to explore. NBS is again promoting its Come On Board campaign so visitors ought to be welcome on board the boats and not just encouraged to keep off and gaze from the pontoons.

There are four feature boats, including the Dublin based tall ship Jeanie Johnston alongside in Solent Park. Katie Miller, the 2006 Raymarine YJA Young Sailor of the Year, will be displaying Hot Socks, her Figaro II race boat, and Callista is a state-of-the art scientific research vessel, on loan from the National Oceanography Centre.

The Raymarine Lively Lady project brings the 40 year old back from a two year round-the-world trip that has not only covered over 28,000 nautical miles, but in the process has helped young adults turn their lives around.

The there's Spirit of Mystery, the boat Pete Goss will attempt to sail to Australia without the aid of modern electrical or navigational systems.

There will also be SAR demonstrations off the marina.

The Main Stage - Powered by Fairline (I really can't get into the 'powered by' bit [maybe it's my age]) - offers 40th show celebrations with 'fun and entertainment for all the family'. The programme sounds good, with retro-style fashion shows three times a day (excluding Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday), guest appearances from personalities as well as short films celebrating the history of the show and highlighting the last five decades of boating. And, on the final Saturday, this year's Miss PSP Southampton Boat Show will be crowned.

Further encouragement to visitors are the flexible combi-ticket deals that offer two full days at either Southampton or London, or one day at both.

Other visitor attractions include the Miss PSP Southampton Boat Show competition. Won last year by Claire Willis, this year's final will see the final 10 beauties strut their stuff in various outfits including the trendiest nautical gear as well as glamorous cocktail attire.

This all takes place on the main stage on the final Saturday and besides the title of Miss PSP Southampton Boat Show, the lucky winner gets a photo shoot on a luxury powerboat and takes on the role of official ambassador of NBS for the year which, among profile raising publicity, will entitle her to VIP access to the London International Boat Show 2009.

Another new feature is Ladies Day, with its official charity in Touching Tiny Lives – Action Medical Research’s fundraising appeal which aims to help the most vulnerable babies in this country.

Ladies Day is on Thursday 18 September and is, it says here, an opportunity for all women to treat themselves to a great day out with the girls – safe in the knowledge that as well as having a fantastic time at the PSP Southampton Boat Show, they’ll also be benefitting a valuable cause at the same time.

The day offers the ladies 'credit-crunch defying' retail therapy; tasting their way through delicious delicacies at Restaurant SO40; the special Ladies Day version of the retro fashion show (which will feature Liz Hurley’s new swimwear range) on the man stage; or simply sitting back and enjoying life at a more leisurely pace from the Sunseeker Champagne Bar.

There will be, says NBS, plenty to keep ladies occupied at Mayflower Park.

Including the ‘Ladies Day Experience’ at £85.00. It is, says NBS, just the ticket.

Those ‘Elite Ladies’ gain access to the Ladies Day Lounge where they will be treated to delicious chocolates from Elizabeth Shaw, be able to peruse the latest fashions from Chatham Clothing’s leisure range, enjoy a buffet lunch, private pay bar facilities, the contemporary Platinum Lounge - sponsored by Fairline - and an unforgettable on-water experience on a Fairline, Sunseeker, or Princess boat.

On top of all that, female celebrity powerboat champion Shelley Jory will be on hand to talk about her experiences as a professional racer.

Last year saw the first evening event put on for exhbitors and very successful most were too. This year the events have been trimmed to the 40th celebration party on the 1st Saturday, the Honda Ride Out on the Tuesday, The Indoor Karting on the Wednesday and a trip to the Isle of Wight on the second Friday.

By this time most places will be taken, but if you fancy joining in, contact the organiser Assorti Ltd on 01753 840680 or via email sbs@assorti.co.uk

There's more on the PSP SBS in the feature after this one...

The PSP SBS runs from Friday 12 September to Sunday 21 September.

Next up in November is the Sail, Power & Watersports Show at Earls Court
Run for the first time last year as the Earls Court Boat Show, various name changes have been undertaken in attempts to keep the peace between the show in Earls Court and the federation's NBS organised show.

After having a brief flirtation with The New Boat Show at Earls Court (the name was deemed acronymically awkward as The NBS at Earls Court), the show is now known as the Sail, Power & Watersports Show at Earls Court.

From clashing with the Paris Boat Show, the dates are now November 26 to 30, making it a five day show. 'We adjusted the timing of the show to make it more financially efficient for exhibitors, and it now has a busy 5-day format,' MD James Brooke told us.

The reduction in days has met with varying responses but, suffice it to say, the proof of the pudding, etc.

The first show promised much, but most agree progress was brought to an abrupt halt by the show's promotion and advertising. Mr Brooke promises a better approach this year, immediately bolstering the team by hiring Peta Stuart-Hunt as director of media and communications, a move that has been met with approval by the industry hacks.

Mr Brooke reckons there were many people who didn’t think he would get his show off the ground. But he and his small but dedicated band surprised many people.

'While our show didn’t attract over 100,000 bodies through the turnstiles, it did attract nearly 35,000 passionate boating enthusiasts with money to spend and over the next 10 days millions of pounds of sales were made,' he told BB.

Many reacted to the apparent space in the isles without realising that the situation was slightly more complex, he said. 'I had made a decision to model the show on previous shows held at the venue; over 10 days and in both Earls Court 1 and Earls Court 2. I now know that this was the wrong decision for our first show. I also realise that we missed some tricks with our marketing in and around London. But hindsight is a wonderful thing…'

Brooke says they've listened and learnt, and the 2008 show has a new layout on two levels in Earls Court 1 with the pool providing a focal point for entertainment from the balcony, without the need to run into Earls Court 2.

'I believe this new format is going to set us apart from any other show that exists in the world,' says Mr Brooke. 'We’re providing low cost opportunities for companies to showcase their products in an iconic central London location, at a time when visitors are in a buying mood before Christmas.'

Mr Brooke adds the marketing plan is comprehensive with major media partners ITV Local and London’s Evening Standard promoting the show to a new audience of well over five million Londoners.

Among the features the show offers over the five days and two late night openings…

The World’s Biggest Boat Auction is being hosted with Boatshed as a live event that will be seen worldwide via the show website. There will be a ‘Top 100’ boats for sale, including dinghies, canoes, RIBs, sports boats, family cruisers, tenders, jet-skis, motor boats, classic yachts and powerboats.

The Destinations Zone has companies such as On-Deck and Sunsail as part of a large feature where visitors will get a taste of winter sun and buy charter holidays around the world. Waterside Properties will also provide thousands of shore side homes to buy.

Live Wake-Boarding has an International Pro-Wakeboarding Display Team performing tricks in the central pool to live music. The Watersports Zone will also host a large choice of accessories including clothing, wetsuits and sunglasses from leading brand names such as Timberland, O’Neil, Oakley and Quicksilver.

The Navigation Village has the latest products on display including GPS, Radar and fish-finders.

The Chandlery Village features Aladdins Cave, Shamrock Chandlery and Andark Diving offering products from Musto, Henri Lloyd, Crewsaver, Gill, Dubarry and Sebago.

The RIB International RIB Zone will host a display of RIBs, from the latest expedition craft to RIBs that are suitable for family cruising. Brands such as Cougar, Scorpion, Rib-X and Marlin will be part of an impressive display

Following the launch of the 2008 Round Britain Power Boat Race at Earls Court in December last year, Lord Beaverbrook, custodian of the famous Beaverbrook Trophy, will become the patron of an impressive display of powerboats which will be designed and opened by Steve Curtis, 8 times World Class 1 Champion.

The display will include Gee, winner of the Historic Class, as well as a selection of winning boats from the Honda Formula 4-stroke Powerboat Series.

The powerboat display offers a choice of engines from leading manufacturers such as Mercury, Mariner, Honda, Yanmar and Cummins to complement the display of race boats.

The Dinghy Zone sponsored by Dinghy Sailing Magazine features a display of championship and Olympic racing dinghies as well as starter dinghies ideal for entry level sailing. It will be opened by some of our Olympic medallists to inspire a new generation to participate in our sport.

The Inland Waterways World will reflect the way of life experienced on the network of canals and rivers, with family entertainment and a good selection of canal boats to buy.

The Central Pool Marina will be filled with fully rigged yachts as a central feature of the show. The marina will host live entertainment throughout the show featuring modern day racing yachts as well as small family cruisers.

The Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year Gallery will celebrate legends from the past 50 years in a gallery dedicated to their achievements.

The Guinness Bar is back in Earls Court 1 to take up a central location near the escalators, and the show wouldn’t be complete without it, says Mr Brooke.

And so to the London International Boat Show
Title sponsor negotiations are under way at present, so we have to wait and see on that score. Quite how much the title sponsor - or lack of one - will affect the various features NBS is trying to put on I'm not sure. The current information talks in terms of the full Monty on the main stage, so maybe the lack of a title sponsor won't affect the main feature.

The 2008 show targeted 130,000 and nearly made it, with 127,251 people walking in. But there are lots of freebies in there. So while that 127k was a fair shot at the 130, the paid attendance was actually 101,249.

The NBS shows are audited by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) and are as close to being 100% accurate as you can get.

And to emphasise that while the security people scan your badge every time you go in or out, the software de-dupes the scans. So you are counted once only, no matter how many times, or on what days, you go into the show.

The target for the 2009 show is 140,000. Is that achievable? Depends, really, on your outlook on this credit crunch. Andrew Williams, NBS MD, told BB: 'The Royal Wales Show got its biggest attendance this year, so that may be an indicator for SBS and London attendance.'

In the eyes of many boat show attenders, ExCeL still carries the cachet of being hard to get to and devoid of character once you're there. Regardless of the travel, the controversy of ExCeL all boils down to the surrounding area. In this regard, there is no comparison. Earls Court is a thriving hustle and bustle of the big city. ExCeL is the desert that is Docklands. No contest.

But things are changing as the Olympic developments get into full swing. There will be two exhibitor briefing at the PSP SBS where NBS assures me it will fill us in on the very latest regarding not only Phase 2 of ExCeL, which is beginning right now, but also on the plans for the surrounding area.

London is - as BB always predicted - growing like Topsy to encompass the ExCeL area. How long it will take to make the region into a busy and interesting suburb is not so predictable.

But I can tell you the ExCeL Phase 2 represents a further £160m investment in the venue, and will increase current event space by almost 50%. This will take the venue to just under 100,000 sq m - the equivalent of 14 football pitches.

The plans also include an integrated, covered walkway to Prince Regent DLR station, a conference centre for up to 2,000 delegates, a semi-permanent auditorium for up to 5,000 delegates, a permanent production kitchen, catering for large-scale banquets - up to 5,000 guests - and additional bars and restaurants.

The immediate effect for us will be the east entrance car park will no longer be available as this is part of the new development. Car parking in the Undercroft is, however, now fully operational.

Kevin Murphy, chief executive of ExCeL London says: 'The expansion will provide huge economic benefits to the local community in terms of employment and facilities. The venue is currently one of the borough's biggest employers, and the expansion will bring an additional 1,400 jobs to the area.'

Mr Murphy added ExCeL is already looking to put plans for Phase 3 of development in place.

Back for its 55th year, the show will offer a good range of features, some of which are still being finalised. The Main Stage will be in the north east corner of the North Hall, where it will be the setting for another Sea Queen Stage Show, plus fashion shows, seminars and experiences.

The Sea Queen aerial spectacular last year turned the ExCeL event into a show - the first we have seen since arriving at ExCeL in 2004. NBS says the 2009 stage show will be every bit as good and it will transform the main stage into a striking sea of blue and green, while energetic circus dancers and audacious stilt walkers will perform athletic acrobatics and acro-balance(?) to a stirring soundtrack.

Other features include Design a Sail, which launches at the PSP SBS and finishes with the winner’s ceremony on the Main Stage. Deck Games is an interactive feature, providing fun, hands-on activities for families, while Classic Boat will be supporting the Cutty Sark restoration project.

The marina on the Royal Victoria Dock has some of the best recognised brands in the industry and as with last year, the inland waterway industry will be showcasing narrow and wide-beam boats at the west end of the dock.

The Black & White Bar and the Sunseeker Champagne Bar are attractive watering holes and the central boulevard has eateries by the score.

And NBS is running its Come on Board to encourage exhibitors to allow visitors to get on board, rather than just stand and gawp from the aisles.

The London International Boat Show runs from 9-18 January 2009.

To find out more about both the Southampton and London shows, make sure you get to one of the exhibitor briefings being held at the PSP SBS.

The first is Tuesday 16 September, 09.00 in the BMF Members’ and Exhibitors’ Lounge in the restaurant complex in Mayflower Park. The second is on Wednesday 17 September at 09.00 in the RYA Lounge in the Arena block.

To register email Carol Taylor on ctaylor@britishmarine.co.uk

And so to BBEx
We tried hard. We tried very hard. But we couldn't get people out of their shops to spend a day looking at the very latest products on offer for the leisure marine industry. So Andrew Webster, MD of BBEx organiser Mercator Media, had to accept the inevitable after the promised three year run.

Our internal meetings decided a trade show has two main thrusts. The first is showing people the latest new products. The second is the networking element.

We're just finalising our BBEx Products internet news bulletin - more information as soon as we've sorted out the finale minutiae, which will be in the next few weeks. The networking was a little more difficult but, in the great spirit of comradeship that pervades the UK leisure marine industry, we've been talking with the Marine Trades Association (MTA) and IPC.

The MTA wants to change its annual dinner away from the formal Tower Thistle Hotel sit down meal. We pointed out we have all our excellent BBEx awards to present and we'd like to give people a drink or two.

So, after chats with the MTA and IPC, which sponsors the MTA dinner, we've all agreed the best way forward is to have one big exhibitor party at ExCeL one evening after the show's finished.

That means everyone can have a few drinks and snacks, we can present the BBEx awards and we can all spend the evening networking like crazy.

Job done.

The minute details are still being worked out but it should all be sorted by the time we get to the PSP SBS. Watch the BB Monday Night NewsUpdate and the next issue of BB, of course.