A letter to BB from NBS non-executive directors
09 Mar 2010
NBS: asked Boating Business to circulate its letter to Peter Nash
After my comment in the February issue of Boating Business, the non-executive directors of NBS asked me to circulate their letter to me, which I am happy to do – Peter Nash
Dear Peter
Having read reports in the recent edition of Boating Business, the National Boat Show Non Executive Directors feel it important to write in response as we feel it portrayed an unbalanced view of the recent Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show, and the potential for the show going forward.
Firstly, we feel that the market conditions have not been taken into consideration. Throughout 2009 the Boating Industry has suffered some of the biggest ever declines in business, turnover and revenues. Many companies have seen these declines in excess of 30% and as a result needed to look at all of their costs.
NBS, being part of the British Marine Federation and therefore owned by the marine industry, focused on driving the cost of exhibiting down to help exhibitors attend what are, for most, the two biggest annual sales opportunities - the London and Southampton Shows. NBS achieved this by offering a range of Economic Conditions Discounts which included a 20% discount on the previous years space rate, in return for taking 90% of the previous years space. This of course impacted on budgets and the money available to spend. We all know that throughout 2009 and even today, there is a need for controlled spending which means ensuring the necessities are covered. However NBS aimed, as always, to produce the best possible boat show and showcase for the industry and we believe this is what was produced.
The show was 16% smaller this year which we firmly believe is a great result. We are not aware of any show in the world which has not reduced in size over the last year (many have been cancelled) and remember that exhibitors could reduce by 10% in size and still receive the ECD – many exhibitors took the opportunity to do this (therefore reducing total space costs by 30% year on year). We must also remember that unfortunately some of the 2009 exhibitors are no longer in business which had an effect on the space taken.
Research proves that regular visitors love the London Show. It is iconic, it kick starts the new year, it gets people excited about boating when it is too wet and cold to get out there themselves, it’s their ‘fix’. Much has been made of the two shows v one show issue but research again tells us that visitors want two shows: approximately 70% of the visitors that attended London did not go to Southampton and of the 30% that did attend both a good percentage are to follow up enquiries that they made at the previous show. A recent Yachting Monthly poll showed that 57% wanted two shows leaving 43% voting for only one – but here lays the next issue. Which one? Even in the recent Boating Business articles one doesn’t feature ahead of the other. Everyone has their favourite so even one ‘super show’ in September at ExCeL would not appeal to those visitors in the South West who delight in attending Southampton each year – they may choose to no longer attend. In a similar poll only 23% say neither January nor February would be a good time for a London show, leaving 77% in favour of that time of year, and our own research also confirms this.
We now turn to the development of the London show, to coincide with the opportunities provided by the new £160m extension at ExCeL, which will be available to us in January 2011.
The extensive research conducted during and post the 2010 show has been analysed and we are excited by the fantastic plans that the NBS Executive has put in place for future shows. The growth and development will be steady; there is a three year plan for expansion and together we will work to get the fundamentals right first. The team wants to re-introduce sectors which visitors want more of, such as watersports, and will be working hard to bring as many boats to the show as possible. We will also be introducing new, complimentary sectors, whether directly into the show, or simply co-locating alongside, which will bring additional, relevant visitors – although the show will always remain, first and foremost, a ‘boat show’.
NBS will also be ensuring the show is a more of a ‘show’ and the new plans will deliver the much coveted ‘wow’. The show will get visitors onto the water, to try out the sport before buying associated products from exhibitors. More varied features will be added in, and will be exactly what the visitors want: spectacular, relevant, educational, child-friendly and interactive. Some of the ideas could be controversial but will be reacting to what current and lapsed visitors want and what will encourage them to bring more of their friends and family with them. The entrance will be located at the East end of the building; the walk from the DLR will offer visitors a glimpse into the show, through a glass wall, before they even reach the entrance.
The NBS Board, together with the NBS team, is committed to delivering a fantastic showcase for the industry, and an important sales platform for exhibitors for many years to come. The time and feedback given by the majority of the exhibitors at the recent London show was very much appreciated, as was the vote of support for many of the ideas we outlined. NBS will drive these changes but the whole industry needs to be behind us – with everyone’s support, positive thinking, desire and commitment it will be the show people want it to be.
The NBS team will be sharing the research, plans and developments at the forthcoming Boat Show Briefings in March and we welcome as many people – exhibitors and non exhibitors – to attend them. And the dialogue won’t end there; we will be working closely with the industry throughout the year to ensure, together, we all produce the best possible showcase for boating and the British Boating Industry.
Yours sincerely
National Boat Shows Board of elected Non Executive Directors
Paul Strzelecki, Henri Lloyd – NBS Chairman
David Pougher, Yamaha Motor (UK) Ltd – NBS Vice Chairman
Julian Gowing, Premier Marinas – NBS Vice Chairman
Jon Eads, MDL Marinas – BMF President
Alan Morgan, Avon Inflatables – BMF Vice President
Alan Bowers, Fairline Boats – BMF Treasurer
Peter Gordon, Rockley Watersports
Ashley Overton, Ancasta International Boat Sales Ltd
John Salter, Salters Steamers Ltd
Boating Business says have your say in the UK boat shows debate by joining the Boating Business Group on LinkedIn – follow this link: http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/2828157/
Having read reports in the recent edition of Boating Business, the National Boat Show Non Executive Directors feel it important to write in response as we feel it portrayed an unbalanced view of the recent Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show, and the potential for the show going forward.
Firstly, we feel that the market conditions have not been taken into consideration. Throughout 2009 the Boating Industry has suffered some of the biggest ever declines in business, turnover and revenues. Many companies have seen these declines in excess of 30% and as a result needed to look at all of their costs.
NBS, being part of the British Marine Federation and therefore owned by the marine industry, focused on driving the cost of exhibiting down to help exhibitors attend what are, for most, the two biggest annual sales opportunities - the London and Southampton Shows. NBS achieved this by offering a range of Economic Conditions Discounts which included a 20% discount on the previous years space rate, in return for taking 90% of the previous years space. This of course impacted on budgets and the money available to spend. We all know that throughout 2009 and even today, there is a need for controlled spending which means ensuring the necessities are covered. However NBS aimed, as always, to produce the best possible boat show and showcase for the industry and we believe this is what was produced.
The show was 16% smaller this year which we firmly believe is a great result. We are not aware of any show in the world which has not reduced in size over the last year (many have been cancelled) and remember that exhibitors could reduce by 10% in size and still receive the ECD – many exhibitors took the opportunity to do this (therefore reducing total space costs by 30% year on year). We must also remember that unfortunately some of the 2009 exhibitors are no longer in business which had an effect on the space taken.
Research proves that regular visitors love the London Show. It is iconic, it kick starts the new year, it gets people excited about boating when it is too wet and cold to get out there themselves, it’s their ‘fix’. Much has been made of the two shows v one show issue but research again tells us that visitors want two shows: approximately 70% of the visitors that attended London did not go to Southampton and of the 30% that did attend both a good percentage are to follow up enquiries that they made at the previous show. A recent Yachting Monthly poll showed that 57% wanted two shows leaving 43% voting for only one – but here lays the next issue. Which one? Even in the recent Boating Business articles one doesn’t feature ahead of the other. Everyone has their favourite so even one ‘super show’ in September at ExCeL would not appeal to those visitors in the South West who delight in attending Southampton each year – they may choose to no longer attend. In a similar poll only 23% say neither January nor February would be a good time for a London show, leaving 77% in favour of that time of year, and our own research also confirms this.
We now turn to the development of the London show, to coincide with the opportunities provided by the new £160m extension at ExCeL, which will be available to us in January 2011.
The extensive research conducted during and post the 2010 show has been analysed and we are excited by the fantastic plans that the NBS Executive has put in place for future shows. The growth and development will be steady; there is a three year plan for expansion and together we will work to get the fundamentals right first. The team wants to re-introduce sectors which visitors want more of, such as watersports, and will be working hard to bring as many boats to the show as possible. We will also be introducing new, complimentary sectors, whether directly into the show, or simply co-locating alongside, which will bring additional, relevant visitors – although the show will always remain, first and foremost, a ‘boat show’.
NBS will also be ensuring the show is a more of a ‘show’ and the new plans will deliver the much coveted ‘wow’. The show will get visitors onto the water, to try out the sport before buying associated products from exhibitors. More varied features will be added in, and will be exactly what the visitors want: spectacular, relevant, educational, child-friendly and interactive. Some of the ideas could be controversial but will be reacting to what current and lapsed visitors want and what will encourage them to bring more of their friends and family with them. The entrance will be located at the East end of the building; the walk from the DLR will offer visitors a glimpse into the show, through a glass wall, before they even reach the entrance.
The NBS Board, together with the NBS team, is committed to delivering a fantastic showcase for the industry, and an important sales platform for exhibitors for many years to come. The time and feedback given by the majority of the exhibitors at the recent London show was very much appreciated, as was the vote of support for many of the ideas we outlined. NBS will drive these changes but the whole industry needs to be behind us – with everyone’s support, positive thinking, desire and commitment it will be the show people want it to be.
The NBS team will be sharing the research, plans and developments at the forthcoming Boat Show Briefings in March and we welcome as many people – exhibitors and non exhibitors – to attend them. And the dialogue won’t end there; we will be working closely with the industry throughout the year to ensure, together, we all produce the best possible showcase for boating and the British Boating Industry.
Yours sincerely
National Boat Shows Board of elected Non Executive Directors
Paul Strzelecki, Henri Lloyd – NBS Chairman
David Pougher, Yamaha Motor (UK) Ltd – NBS Vice Chairman
Julian Gowing, Premier Marinas – NBS Vice Chairman
Jon Eads, MDL Marinas – BMF President
Alan Morgan, Avon Inflatables – BMF Vice President
Alan Bowers, Fairline Boats – BMF Treasurer
Peter Gordon, Rockley Watersports
Ashley Overton, Ancasta International Boat Sales Ltd
John Salter, Salters Steamers Ltd
Boating Business says have your say in the UK boat shows debate by joining the Boating Business Group on LinkedIn – follow this link: http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/2828157/
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