42nd SBS: 10 successful days, says NBS
Nick Hancock, with an unconvincing smile, and Dawn Porter opened the show on September 10 – photo: onEdition
Organiser National Boat Shows says it was happy to see the PSP Southampton Boat Show finishing on Sunday September 19 with just over 122,000 visitors through the gates to see 530 exhibitors and around 1000 boats.
PSP SBS: After being opened by TV stars Nick Hancock and Dawn Porter on Friday September 10, the PSP Southampton Boat Show closed on Sunday September 19 after having attracted 122,106 visitors, a total just ahead of last year. This figure will net down to around 100,000 paying guests.
National Boat Shows (NBS) says it’s delighted with the success of the show, bringing visitors to over 530 exhibitors and providing a platform for the British leisure marine industry to display its quality and diversity.
The show hosted 14 global boat launches, four European and 40 UK debuts. Around 1,000 boats were on show and over 8,000 people took to the water aboard a variety of boats from sailboats to pedalos and RIBs to dinghies. The Nautical Imaginarium stage, water zorbing and Science of the Sea attractions also proved very popular with visitors, says NBS, combining to offer a fantastic day out.
‘We’re delighted to have gained such a strong attendance at the show and have delivered such a spectacle, from both the outstanding products and fabulous attractions for all to get involved with,’ said Andrew Williams, NBS MD. ‘We’ve hosted more exhibitors and 70 more boats on the marina than last year.’
The increase in attendance has also delivered incremental opportunities for our exhibitors and at a time of continuing, challenging economic conditions, some positive reports are emerging from a wide selection of exhibitors, he added.
‘This year's show has been incredibly fruitful for PSP as we have held several successful meetings, dealt with hundreds of enquiries about our services and cemented our presence within the marine industry,’ said Frank Dixie, MD of title sponsor PSP. ‘Our successful 10-day run culminated in us filling two brand new sailings, one to Australia and one to Fort Lauderdale in America.’
More in BB’s October issue.
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