Shake-ups are planned for both the London Boat Show and PSP Southampton Boat Show.

Organiser, National Boat Shows, has announced that it is making a ‘significant investment in both shows’ to boost their appeal.

The PSP Southampton Boat Show will be promoted as a festival of boating, for all the family with an increased number of new attractions on the land as well as more opportunities to get afloat and experience being out on the water.

Meanwhile, the organizers will be striving to put the ‘Show’ back in to the London Boat Show.

What’s new for London?

London will be a 10-day show once more, with a return of the Friday preview day. Traders indicated in the post 2014 show research that many wanted an additional selling day. The media also wanted it to focus all the press activity on one day.

The show will also start a week later, with the 2015 event scheduled to take place from Friday 9 to Sunday 18 January.

A brand new Classic Car Show will be staged over the first weekend. The London Classic Car Show will run from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 January 2015. Run by the organisers of Chris Evans’ CarFest and Top Gear Live, this show will offer 15,000-20,000 discerning collectors, buyers and enthusiasts an opportunity to experience rare and valuable cars from the past; and it will offer boat show traders the chance to show off their products to a new, complementary audience.

The Telegraph Cruise Show will also run the first weekend from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 January.

National Boat Shows managing director Murray Ellis said: ‘We’ll inject the energy and excitement that’s been missing and create an amazing first impression.

‘It will be a great event with more innovative, unique attractions that will entertain, inspire, surprise and enthuse visitors, ensuring they – and you – can’t fail to recommend the event to family and friends.’

He added: ‘Our shows continue to be ranked in the world’s top 10 boat shows and the last two events in September and January proved to be successful in terms of sales, with many of you performing beyond your expectation; indications that, with the improving economy, they continue to deliver.

‘It is now the perfect opportunity to build on this upward trend.’

Mr Ellis said while the Southampton Boat Show will be enhanced for visitors, it will also create the best possible sales platform for traders.

He added: ‘We’re not forgetting that the marine exhibitors are the stars of the Show. Our visitors always want to see more boats, products, brands and services – covering sail and power, large and small.

‘Interest from marine companies is already high and with this new direction we’re confident of increased demand. Don’t forget the deadline for your early commitment discount is the end of May.’

Why the shake-up?

Mr Ellis said the reason for the changes is to provide ‘an unrivalled sales opportunity’ and to ‘protect the services the British Marine Federation offers.’

He said: ‘The profit from both the London Boat Show and the PSP Southampton Boat Show contributes significantly to the Federation, enabling us to deliver the services and support to our 1,500 members and the industry as a whole. All of the planning has been done as a result of exhibitor and visitor feedback and has
the full support of both the NBS and BMF Board.

‘We are committed to improving our Shows and will be announcing more plans over the next few months as we confirm them.’

Pictures: The London and Southampton boat shows. First image credit: onEdition