Boat show at NEC enjoyed record visitor numbers
The 47th National Boat Caravan & Outdoor Show enjoyed a record 95,638 visitors in February.
The figures are a 13% increase on last year and the organisers are delighted with the growing response to the event which this year had an increased marine hall, sponsored by our sister title Motor Boats Monthly.
A spokesman said: “The expansion into six halls at the NEC, including the creation of the separate Boating & Marine Hall and Holidays & Park Homes Hall, meant that whatever your outdoor passion, the show offered plenty of choice for everyone.
“The Marina and the Inland Waterways Village were the busiest features making plenty of big money sales and welcomed both dedicated boaters grateful of a show catering to the Midlands as well as campers and caravanners looking to get off the mainland and on to the water.”
Exhibitors also deemed the show a huge success.
Mick Mills from Larson said: “Levels of interest were better than any previous years and we are looking at exhibiting again next year.”
Princess said: “We had another successful show and with a larger venue and exceptional high numbers of visitors we would like to thank all those who visited us on the Princess stand.”
Mark da Costa, Managing Director for Sealine South Coast, said: “We are delighted with the turnout at the Birmingham Boat Show and we got off to a flying start.
“We had a lot of interest from experienced boat enthusiasts and general outdoor fans alike.
“That’s the beauty of the show; it attracts new people into boating who are already fans of the outdoors.”
An F42 was purchased by a client who came to Birmingham’s NEC all the way from Essex, perhaps showing the show can compete with others.
Chris Manners from Penton Hook Marine Sales said” “This year’s event was one of the more successful shows we have exhibited at within the last 12 months. The new six day format worked fantastically well and gave us six extremely busy days and an incredibly high quality of visitor.”
The National Boat Caravan & Outdoor Show 2009 is on from the 17 – 22nd February 2009 at NEC Birmingham.
