Southampton Boat Show on hold until 2021
Organisers of the Southampton Boat Show are looking at holding a smaller event for 2020, after confirming that the show in its current format would not be going ahead in September due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organised by British Marine, the annual event, which is the largest in the UK, attracts over 100,000 visitors and more than 430 exhibitors.
As Yachting Monthly went to press (27 July), British Marine said it was ‘continuing to explore the options to run an alternative, smaller scale outdoor event.’
Hamble-based Inspiration Marine Group, which is a dealer for Hanse, Dehler, Privilege, Bali and Moody, welcomed the announcement of an alternative show, as long as it was ‘safe and secure’. It plans to take up to 12 models to the event.
Director James Stone said boat shows were still ‘very important’ in the UK market, especially events held in the autumn, as they allowed sailing yacht customers to pick build slots for the following year.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen the likes of boat sale broker Ancasta hosting virtual boat shows to attract customers.
Stone said that while customers were doing more research online, utilising video walk-throughs and 360° tours, many still wanted to come onboard before committing to buy.
‘Customers use online to narrow the search but physically feeling and seeing the quality close up can’t be replicated online,’ he added.
Boats are expected to be the focus of the proposed smaller Southampton show, which has left some exhibitors looking at new ways to reach customers.
Senior UK marketing manager for the charter firms Sunsail and The Moorings, Kate Staniforth, said both companies were disappointed at the postponement, but fully supported the decision.
‘We are currently exploring alternative opportunities and campaigns to help people find the right sailing holiday, from Port Solent to Belize, whether they are first-time adventurers or seasoned explorers,’ she added.
Electronics manufacturer NASA Marine said it now focused on the marine trade show METSTRADE rather than UK shows, with its products displayed at Southampton through Marine Superstore and Force 4 Chandlery.
‘We stopped exhibiting at Southampton a while ago as we found we could reach our customers electronically through email, and we have not noticed a drop in sales in the UK market at all,’ explained NASA director Rita Mullay.
Meanwhile, MDL Marinas has said it will be hosting the Ocean Village Boat Show at its Southampton marina on 11-20 September, the original dates of 2020’s Southampton Boat Show. It will feature boats, and is a free, ticketed only event.