London - Dec 2008 Earls Court Boat Show

Visitor numbers up at Earls Court Boat Show

By IBI Magazine/Yachting Monthly

Visitors to the 2nd Sail, Power & Watersports Show did not come up to the 50,000 hoped for, but they were still higher than last year's show, organisers reveal.Visitor numbers were up 18 per cent over last year, coming in at 41,300.

"Buyers are using cash and it's not 'borrowed' money as the banks aren't lending," said the show's managing director James Brooke.

"This is a great achievement for everyone and the show is a shining example of a success story in a really tough economic climate. Many millions of pounds worth of business has been done over five days under one roof and the show has provided a successful trading platform for its exhibitors — you couldn't ask for better than that right now," he added.

There is a long-term relationship in place with show venue Earls Court and the terms have been agreed for 2009 with the show dates being announced as November 25-29, 2009.

(1 December 2008)

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