The 2013 Tullett Prebon London Boat Show, Europe’s first boat show of the year, has drawn to a close.
After getting off to a strong start inclement weather effected attendance over the last three days, despite the fact four other shows were running side by side with a single entrance ticket buying access to all five shows.
A total of 93,327 visited ExCeL London for the show across the nine days.
Murray Ellis, Managing Director of NBS, said, ”We are pleased with the high quality of visitors who came to this year’s Show and the number of exhibitors who have signed up to exhibit in 2014.”
The 2013 Show brought many changes to the event that is in its 59th year in London and which brought visitors to the stands of up to 500 exhibitors. Shorten to now 9 days, the new smaller layout in a single hall covered an area the size of that once available at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre before it was closed down.
Exhibitors continue to use the Show as their platform to launch new boats and products as over 10 world debuts and 33 European and UK launches took place throughout the Show.
The was no dedicated press day as in previous years but Monday 14 January was filled with exhibitor events and also hosted Michael Fallon MP, the Minister for Business & Enterprise, who launched a new collaboration between Parliament and the marine industry to widen export opportunities.
The Show featured several new attractions such as; World Cruising and the CNM Estates UK Star Championships which saw sailing and fine art come together for the first time ever live at the Show.
18-year old, four times British Freestyle Jet Ski Champion Jack Moule wowed the crowds with on-the-water stunts.
The UK leisure marine industry has performed consistently generating annual revenues of approximately £2.8billion, exporting 35% of what is produced and employing 31,000 in the industry.
David Pougher, Chairman, National Boat Shows added: “As the first Show in the European calendar it is important for us to prove that we are an internationally recognised event putting on the best showcase for the UK leisure marine industry. With over 40 launches being held at the Show, it proves that manufacturers, OEM’s retailers and dealers value this event to debut their boats and products.”