Sunday, January 18, saw this year’s 61st annual CWM FX London Boat Show come to an end, celebrating pioneers, adventurers and innovators. The world-class boat show was packed with global debuts of boats and products, as well as the latest in marine innovation. The 2015 event hosted an amazing number of 92,288 visitors.
CWM FX London Boat Show 2015 - Image credit to onEdition
This year’s Show enjoyed fresh thinking and a markedly new direction to this iconic event. Not only were visitors impressed with the 400 exhibitors and the quality boats, products and services at the Show, but the new visual attractions on offer, such as the Show Entrance complete with Rain Curtain and the 4D Experience, added another dimension.
The Datatag Lab enthralled visitors throughout the whole Show. Visitors enjoyed watching Southampton Solent University’s latest project the Solent Whisper hydrofoil catamaran come to life during the event, with HRH The Princess Royal getting involved in the build by infusing the resin.
In addition to the royal visitor, famous faces included star of Public Preview Day Nicole Scherzinger who launched Sunseeker’s new 57 Predator, Sir Ben Ainslie and recently crowned Yachtsman of the Year winner Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. Paralympic gold medallist Helena Lucas joined former weather presenter Penny Tranter at The Datatag Lab whilst Michael Buerk, Nick Knowles, Rupert Grint were all spotted enjoying the Show. Title sponsors CWM FX welcomed players and management from Wigan Warriors and boxing icons Barry McGuigan, Carl Frampton and others from the CWM Cyclones.
The Watersports Pool saw 1000 visitors get active on the water with Rockley, the Ben Ainslie Racing stand proved to be one of the most popular destinations and there were plenty of activities for families to do from Musto’s winch grinder to Neilson’s surf simulator, RYA’s RIB challenge to a brand new 4D sound to light Vibro dance floor from Landau UK.
Murray Ellis, Managing Director of the CWM FX London Boat Show said: “We have enjoyed a world-class Show with many of the world’s best brands from the marine industry. Visitor feedback has been really positive, the new creative giving the Show a strong identity has been very well received, there’s been positive energy creating a fantastic atmosphere which have contributed to good sales.”
Craig Droste, General Manager of title sponsor CWM FX added: “The CWM FX London Boat Show has been a great success and we would like to thank everyone included for their exceptional hard work and dedication. We are very proud to have made our mark in the marine sector and look forward to furthering our relationship with the London Boat Show in the coming years.”
Next year’s London Boat Show takes place from 8-17 January 2016 at ExCeL London.
Exhibitor quotes
Chris Gates, Managing Director, Princess Yachts International said: “Following a successful 10 days we have been very encouraged by the results achieved at the 2015 CWM FX London Boat Show, confirming its importance as a key sales platform for the business. The efforts of National Boat Shows to rejuvenate the show have been felt and we look forward to exhibiting again next year.”
Nick Keepfer of Zego Marine states: “Last year we sold three boats during the whole Show and this year we have already sold 10 boats and can expect to sell at least another 10 after the Show ends. Our business has been both recreational and commercial. This year we have had a great position and think the new layout of the Show has really helped business. It is so open and no longer do visitors just walk up and down aisles.”
Ben Metcalfe, Landau UK remarks: “Landau has had a fantastic first CWM FX London Boat Show and without question will be attending next year. For all on the stand the great sales, the great socialising and winning the Retailer of the Year Award has made it a fantastic start to 2015 and we are excited about what our road show holds looking forward.”
Stuart McCullough, Commercial Director at Fairline Boats, commented: “Fairline has enjoyed a successful show at London this year, with lots of enthusiasm for the brand. There has been a great atmosphere and a real buzz about the Fairline stand, with lots of buyers back in the market and a steady stream of orders taken throughout the show. We already have a strong order book for our new 53 models and have received lots of very positive feedback about our new-look stand and the display of our exciting new interiors. There has been a lot of excitement around the Shadow S model, which immediately leaves for Miami tonight where it will make its highly anticipated US debut.”
Matthew Stone, Norfolk Boat Sales states: “We launched the Elan 30 last year and from Sunday we had already sold three and given quotes for 10 more. By the end of the Show we can expect to sell another two or three and many more after from interest built at the Show. For the last five years people have talked the Show down, but this year there has been real enthusiasm before and during the Show and this has seen business build and people buying boats at CWM FX London Boat Show. We will be back next year, up from the two boats we have this year to three boats.”
Sean Robertson, Sales Director, Sunseeker International commented: “Attendance at CWM FX London Boat Show 2015 has been the most successful and encouraging for over five years with 10,000’s of visitors passing through the stand. The economic impact on the leisure marine industry has been challenging for a number of years but the 2015 Show has seen customers return in numbers last seen in 2008. Our sales results and confidence is driven in part by the sheer number of brand new models introduced of late including four last year, four during 2015 and three planned for 2016. This requires substantial investment and a commitment to the business which is unparalleled. Matched by our willingness to offer a ‘Bespoke’ customisation service on all six of our yachts 30m and above, customers have a clear upgrade path supported by our world-class dealer network who have worked incredibly hard all week. We could not be more proud of our entire team both here at the Show and our colleagues who help design, engineer and build a truly iconic product.”
Julian Griffiths of Jet UK remarks: “This is our first CWM FX London Boat Show and it has delivered so much. We have taken details for roughly 180 people wanting more information and see future developments for Jet UK in the pipeline for the next Show.”
Ian Thomson of Nestaway Boats says: “The 2015 CWM FX London Boat Show has been a record Show, our best Boat Show ever. People are really coming to the Show to buy and we have sold 23 boats. By Tuesday we had already sold more boats than last year.”
David Pougher of Deep Consulting comments: “After a successful launch of Selva Marine at the PSP Southampton Boat Show 2014, taking more space at 2015 CWM FX London Boat Show was a no brainer. It delivers the opportunity to do B2B and B2C business – from strong dealer appointments to a range of customers to talk to. Even though the Show hasn’t ended every boat on the stand has been sold at least once.”
Richard Winter of Vetus comments: “It has been a very good start to the Show with our new location. We made sales on the first day and our B2B customers who are exhibiting at the Show have reported consistent sales which means we will be even better off at the end of the Show.”
Russell Hayden of Salterns Marina remarks: “This was our first time exhibiting our Sealegs Amphibious Craft and it has caused lots of buzz. We have met lots of clients we never knew existed, both recreational and commercial. The mixture of markets at the CWM FX London Boat Show can’t be compared to any other Show.”
Paul Hallatt of Ship Shape Bedding remarks: “We have done better at 2015’s CWM FX London Boat Show than we have done in any previous Boat Show and we have attended every London going back eight or nine years. We have noticed the market pick up at the last three Shows we have done but this year they don’t compete. The Show has a great atmosphere and positive environment; it really does feel like a Boat Show not an exhibition.”
Greg Munford, CEO of Richardson’s said: “This was the first time we have exhibited and did not know what to expect but the quality of visitors and prospects at the CWM FX London Boat Show has been amazing! Holidaying on the Norfolk Broads seems to have skipped two generations, but by having a boat here we have been able to demonstrate just how much it has improved in recent years. We will definitely be back next year and plan on bringing two boats rather than just one.”
Alastair Clayton, Managing Director, Seaglaze Marine Windows comments: “The reception of our new glass Toughening Plant couldn’t have been better, with many opportunities to network with both new and existing customers. We cannot wait to get back to the design office to get some of the new jobs into production, it certainly could not have been a better start to the New Year.”
Peter May, Finance Director of Bisham Abbey Sailing & Navigation School commented: “The 2015 CWM FX London Boat Show was the 19th consecutive time we exhibited at the event and it has been much better for us than last year. There have been more visitors to the stand and more people who have an active interest in boating and who genuinely want to find out more about training. Our stand position has been great, the flow of people to our stand has been constant and because of the staggered aisles, the Show seems less daunting for the visitors. We were also very privileged to welcome HRH The Princess Royal and Paralympic gold medallist Helena Lucas to our stand. We will definitely be returning next year.”
Mathew Hornsby, Managing Director of Williams Performance Tenders, commented: “The CWM FX London Boat Show has been a very strong and active Show for us – we’ve been selling boats straight off the stand and we also have a number of demonstrations lined-up for the next few weeks. Our new Sportjet range has really been the star of the Show for us. The Sportjet 520, which had its world debut here at the Show, along with the Sportjet 460 have both been extremely popular, drawing great interest as a stand-alone boat – we’re delighted with the reception both models have received. We’ve also completed several part exchanges, which were now able to complete through our new UK dealer Boats.co.uk. This year’s Show really has exceeded our expectations, and is a great start to what is going to be another exciting year for Williams.”
Ron Price, Southampton Solent University: “We have now sold 26 Solent Whisper catamarans since our boat show publicity started in December. During the CWM FX London Show we had enquiries and orders from buyers and distributors in over a dozen countries worldwide, including China, America, France and The Netherlands, and sailing schools in both Spain and Turkey. The interest in the boat at the show has been phenomenal, from both the public and media alike and as result the Whisper racing class will be kicking off in May this year starting with racing in Karnack in France, hotly followed by Lake Garda in July.”
Paul Heys, Managing Director Key Yachting: “This was by far the busiest London Boat Show we’ve seen in several years. Our new Nautitech Open 40, the only cruising catamaran at the show, was full of activity throughout the week. We will definitely need to hire more staff next year!”
Tom Atkins of Volspec comments: “At this year’s CWM FX London Boat Show there has been more people visiting with a real interest and intention to buy. The Show offers us a platform to meet both new and existing customers.”
