Motor Boats Monthly's team blog
Web log entry dated 17 September 2008
Southampton fights back
Official figures for Monday show a slight increase of 1% on the same time last year and although it's not massive, in these tricky times organisers will take all they can get.
I caught up with Andy Williams, MD of the British Marine Federation (BMF), today who was philisophical about the dip in visitors, "I don't think there are any shows at the moment that are experiencing increases" he said. Andy also told me that the new Platinum Pavilion and the Platinum tickets scheme have been a big hit with visitors, with sales on the first Saturday running at 95% .
The Platinum Pavilion is aimed at the fairer sex and includes lifestyle exhibits, including hairstyling, Botox (yes, really) and teeth whitening.
Platinum tickets, meanwhile, give ticket holders access to the exclusive Platinum Lounge and also entitle them to a ride on a Fairline, Princess or Sunseeker. The boat rides have been so popular that two visitors who visited on Sunday returned the following day to put an offer on a smaller version of the boat that they went out on. Now that's progress.
Expect to see the Platinum Pavilion at London. And look out for Andy's comments on the future of both shows in the November issue of MBM.
And move over Ascot, tomorrow is Ladies' Day so I will be bringing you all the fun of the show from the female point of view.
Picture: View from Platinum Lounge
Sally Coffey, Motor Boats Monthly
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