Preview day numbers down, but rest of show looking good
The daily newsletter distributed to journalists and exhibitors at ExCeL tells us today that 3000 fewer people came to preview day this year than in 2007 (from 11,000 to 8000). But this was anticipated (isn’t it always?), according to Rob Stevens, CEO of the British Marine Federation. The good news, however, is that advance ticket sales for the remaining days of the show are up by 10% on last year, Mr Stevens also informs us. The final figures will make for interesting reading, given the recent Earls Court event and the upcoming Birmingham show. I imagine that any attendance increase over last year will have the BMF whooping for joy. And so they should, as the show has a vibrancy that’s been lacking these last few years. As mentioned in a previous blog , the stage shows in the North Hall are fantastic, and the layout is more ergonomic and less prone to ‘dead corners’. New marketing tricks have also been tried, such as the chance to become a ‘friend’ of the show through Facebook .
UPDATE: A BMF mole has just told me that more than 16,000 people came through the doors yesterday (Saturday), up 700 visitors, or 4%, on the same day last year. And advance ticket sales are now running 13% ahead of 2007.
