Southampton International Boat Show

Requirement

This year TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show celebrated its golden anniversary. Over the last 50 years, it has anchored its reputation as a world class event; attracting visitors, exhibitors and high net worth investors from around the world.

The event organisers work year round to make the next Show the best yet and to meet the expectations of the 100,000 visitors and 500 exhibitors. Such a huge undertaking requires excellent relationships with sub-contractors of all persuasions, from audio technicians to first aiders.

KNOWING THE ROPES
Organisers Southampton International Boat Show Ltd have worked with Wernick Events for ten years. Wernick supply robust ticket offices, staff offices and hospitality units for the ten day event: as well as the ladies, gents and disabled toilet facilities for visitors.

The logistics of such an event are a fine balancing act: unloading, craning and set-up takes place over a number of weeks. Break down is much quicker – the team had just two days to take the units away. Sub-contractors who know the space and the order of events well are valuable assets.

INSTALLING THE UNITS
The September event, based in Southampton, showcases a plethora of beautifully designed boats and products from hundreds of global marine brands. The Show takes over the city of Southampton, known as the cruise and boating capital of the UK. The Show showcases the lifestyle and excitement that being out on the water brings. Over 1,000 boats can be viewed from more than 2km of pontoons.

With half of the Boat Show on water, careful planning and logistics are required for installation of the units. 22 articulated lorries and a Hiab crane arrived on site for the set-up of 41 units and 31 toilets – one unit was transported to a marina collection point where it was placed onto a pontoon and pulled into place via tug boat!

SUPPLYING PEACE OF MIND
Wernick Events Site Coordinator Matthew Bardwell has worked with the venue for a number of years. He manages unit installation for some of the biggest events in the UK, namely Cheltenham Festival and The Grand National, the Royal Welsh Show, the Royal International Air Tattoo, Boardmasters and Shambala Festivals: and the Southampton Boat Show.

Dan Taylor, Head of Boat Shows Operations at Southampton International Boat Show Ltd knows he can rely on Matt’s knowledge and makes sure that Matt is on hand every year. Dan commented:“I know the team at Wernick well; Matt knows the show inside and out. This long standing relationship provides peace of mind – working with Wernick is straightforward and reliable.”

“I know the team at Wernick well; Matt knows the show inside and out. This long standing relationship provides peace of mind – working with Wernick is straightforward and reliable.”

Dan Taylor
Head of Boat Shows Operations at Southampton