OPTIMISM FOR THE INDUSTRY AS THE 44^TH PSP SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW CLOSES

The 2012 PSP Southampton Boat Show, the 44^th Show in Southampton and Britain’s best loved on-water boat show, came to a successful close yesterday (Sunday 23 September). An impressive showcase for the leisure marine industry, 109,722 visitors attended the Show over the ten days taking part in the attractions and activities both on and off the water.

Both the British Marine Federation (BMF) and its subsidiary National Boat Shows (NBS) are proud of the success of the Show, which has brought sales and business to over 550 exhibitors. A record number of launches took place, starting on Preview Day (Friday 14 September) with over 18 global previews of boats and products. 2012 marked PSP’s fifth year of sponsorship and during the Show PSP announced that it would continue to sponsor the event for a minimum of two further years and also unveiled its mission to support the Show, support the industry and support the sport of boating. 

In the corridors of the boat show further business was done with the continued support of the British Marine Federation. Newly appointed Shipping Minister Stephen Hammond visited the show on his first official appointment for a briefing of the new Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY3) and to tour the Show meeting exhibitors.

A wonderful opportunity to get on the water for the first time or to try a new boat brings many of the visitors to the Show but there was also the variety of on-land activities to attract the public. New for 2012 saw the Royal Marines Association dive tank, On The Water’s interactive and educational bus, Go Canoeing with the BCU and the RYA’s active marina experience, all targeted at encouraging more into boating and watersports.

The success of the Show this year is also reflected in the interest for the 2013 PSP Southampton Boat Show. Over 110 companies have signed up, these include: X-Yachts, Volvo, Raymarine, Suzuki, Vetus and Topper.

“The Show was filled with boats, products, equipment, everything a new or existing boat owner could need. The Show hosted over 60 launches of boats and brands including 18 global unveilings. On The Water presented the Try-a-Boat and Get Afloat on-water attractions this year and along with the Platinum Experience with Princess and Suzuki’s RIB experience, Try-a-Dive and WetWheels 9,928 people have enjoyed getting out on the water. This has given so many people the opportunity to have a go themselves, introducing more people to boating,” said Murray Ellis, Managing Director of National Boat Shows. 

“The Shows signature attractions have continued to drive visitors into the Show along with new highlights for 2012. The PSP Southampton Boat Show continues to be a showcase of the marine industry that we can all be immensely proud of.”

David Pougher, Chairman of National Boat Shows added: “Due to the diversity, some sectors will always perform differently to others. Taking this into account there has been encouragement all week with the increased attendance figures and there is even more confidence to be taken from the number of sales done at the Show this past ten days. Exhibitors are feeling very positive with the quality of Show visitor and across the sectors business is being done.”

 “We hope to carry the success of the PSP Southampton Boat Show forward into the start of next year for the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show 12 – 20 January 2013. The feedback from the exhibitors and visitors is inspiring as we move forward into the new year to provide yet again, another exceptional showcase for the leisure marine industry.”

 

Exhibitor comments:

Show sponsor, PSP, has branded this year’s show a hit. 2012 marked PSP’s fifth year of sponsorship and staff from the company were heavily involved in all aspects. From hosting events in its hospitality lounge to welcoming famous visitors and from taking part in the Ladies Day challenge to performing a roof-raising gig at the exhibitor party, PSP has been there every step of the way.

Managing Director, Frank Dixie, said: “It’s been a fantastic show, with fantastic weather and fantastic people. We’ve certainly gone some way in achieving those goals already, with our commitment to support the show for a further two years supporting not just the show but the industry as a whole.”

Stewart McIntyre, Managing Director, Sunseeker: “Sunseeker are delighted with the outcome of the Show with sales completed across the whole product range.  We have seen an increase in orders since the start of the 2012 European Boat Show season with the PSP Southampton Boat Show securing visitors, clients and distributors from all five continents.”

Rick Reading, Sales Director, Topper International: “It’s been a very successful boat show, the best that we’ve had for the last three or four years. Although the attendance wasn’t as high as a lot of people hoped we’ve found the type of clients that came to the Show have been very serious and very interested in buying new product. The Taz has sold extremely well at the Show, so we’re very happy with it.”

Oliver Winbolt, Fairline Boats Head of Marketing, commented: “We’ve had a great show with excellent sales across the entire range, including more forward orders on the new 48 foot models we are launching next year. We debuted two new models at the show, the Targa 62 GRAN TURISMO and Squadron 60 and saw significant interest in these models. The atmosphere at this year’s event has been fantastic, helped by the sunshine and crowds. All in all, a buoyant and successful event.”

Dean Smith, Marketing Director at MDL Marinas, commented: “We’ve had a brilliant show. Berthing enquiries are up over 40% compared to last year and we welcomed 25% more berth holders to our stand during the event. We placed a lot of emphasis on this show to promote our products, building a double height show pavilion to launch our new Italian marina, Marina del Gargano, and we've been rewarded with some extremely encouraging results.”

Ian Braham, National Marine Manager, Lombard Marine: “The interest from visitors this year has reinforced our belief that enthusiasts have remained loyal to boating. Lombard has remained committed to the sector throughout the economic downturn and has never doubted its resilience. The level of enquiries has been consistent with previous years and it is our view that once economic stability returns we shall see an increase across all sectors.”

Gareth Lumsdaine, Sales & Marketing Manager, Suzuki: “In terms of sales for the boatbuilders and sales on the stand it has been the best boat show we have seen in two or three years. Our boat builder partners have shifted a lot of boats and we have been making engine sales from the stand in a rate we haven’t seen in a number of years.”

Mathew Hornsby, Williams Performance Tenders Sales Director: “The Show for us has been positive; it’s been a good show. Probably very similar to last year with strong sales from Sunseeker and Princess, if they are selling boats we are selling.”

Harry Heasman, UK Sales Manager, Raymarine: “It’s been a successful Show. We’ve launched a wide range of new products which have been well received.”

 

Further Exhibitor Comments:

Helen Lewis, Rooster Sailing, Sales Manager: “We’ve had a fantastic Show. Our new location has been absolutely brilliant.”

Simon Conder, TUI Marine, marketing manager: “Good Show so far, really good couple of days to start with and it seems to have been consistent throughout the week. Really positive Show and quite happy with how it’s worked out. People are starting to come to the Show just to buy holidays, they are coming to buy which is good.”

Rob Clark, Rockley Watersports: “The Show has been very good, it’s been really successful. We have had a good time, got people on the water and have made more bookings than last year.”

Due to the operational commitments worldwide and the drawdown from Olympic security duties the Royal Navy were not able to have a warship at the Show this year said Lt Cdr Steve Hayton. "Despite that the Royal Navy have had a very successful Show, from general interest and recruiting on the stand and the Royal Navy presenters on the stage, to the Lynx Search and Rescue demo, the Patrol Boat HMS Ranger and the Royal Marines Offshore Raiding Craft on the marina. In all a very productive and enjoyable Show...fantastic" he said.

Ben Goodland, Managing Director, Eberspacher: “Brilliant Show. Best we’ve had for 5/6 years. We’ve probably sold 40 systems off the stand at the Show.”

PSP SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• 2012 marked PSP’s fifth year of sponsorship and during the show PSP announced that it would continue to sponsor the event for a minimum of two further years and also unveiled its mission to support the show, support the industry and support the sport of boating. 
• The 2012 PSP Southampton Boat Show, the 44^th Show, was officially opened by British Olympic and Paralympic rowers and sailors
• TV chef, Mark Sargeant, joined us for five days of the Show in the Sea Kitchen Theatre in association with Honda, carrying out live demonstrations
• The Great British Oyster Festival in association with Katy Davidson of Mangez Moi, offered visitors the chance to taste and experience rare varieties of Oyster and how to shuck and cook them.
• Public Preview Day saw over 60 launches of boats and brands take place throughout the day including 18 global launches, including the Discovery 57, Sunseeker Predator 80, Oyster 825 and Princess V62-S
• The 4^th annual Ladies Day that took place on Thursday was a great success and helped raise funds for The Breast Cancer Campaign. The ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competition with the Southern Daily Echo was again popular among visitors
• Newly appointed Shipping Minister Stephen Hammond joined the Show on Wednesday to talk about the third edition of the Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY3) and to meet with exhibitors on a tour of the Show

For more information, to watch what’s been going on and to listen to interviews with various celebrities and VIPs visit http://www.southamptonboatshow.com/. 

The 2013 Tullett Prebon London Boat Show runs from 12 - 20 January 2013 at ExCeL London. For more information visit http://www.londonboatshow.com/

For more information, please contact the NBS Press Office team at Publicasity on 020 7632 2432 or boatshow@publicasity.co.uk and find Show updates on the @LoveBoatShows Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Notes to Editors:

• The PSP Southampton Boat Show in Mayflower Park and the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show at ExCeL London are organised by National Boat Shows Ltd (NBS). NBS is a subsidiary of the British Marine Federation (BMF), the trade association for the UK boating industry
• The Tullett Prebon London Boat Show takes place from 12 – 20 January 2013 at ExCeL London.  For more information visit http://www.londonboatshow.com/
• PSP is the title sponsor of the PSP Southampton Boat Show and one of the UK’s fastest-growing freight forwarders. 

About PSP:

• Working from its headquarters in Hampshire and in conjunction with its offices and agents across the globe, it also offers worldwide boat transportation, marine spares, international express courier services, export packing and waterjet cutting services.
• Flexible and fast-moving, PSP is continually expanding and is this year due to open its own dedicated office in China. This will add to its portfolio of bases in the UK, India and its global network of boat transportation specialists, The PSP Alliance.
• PSP was the first ever title sponsor of the PSP Southampton Boat Show and 2012 marks its fifth year of sponsorship.
• PSP ships for brands such as The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Princess, Sunseeker, Fairline, Dee Caffari MBE, Bear Grylls and Sir Robin Knox-Johnson.
• To find out more visit http://www.psp-logistics.com/