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| The London International Boat Show The London International Boat Show returns to ExCeL from 9-18 January 2009, celebrating 55 years of bringing the best of boating to the nation's capital. Come along and enjoy the thrill of being onboard one of the hundreds of fascinating boats on display, from historic replica vessels to the latest in marine technology. With over 500 exhibitors showcasing power and sail boats, dinghies, deck equipment, charter holidays, sailing courses and more, the Show will welcome over 130,000 people and promises to offer something for enthusiasts and first time visitors alike. Following last year's success The Main Stage - Powered by Fairline will return to the 2009 Show. Visitors will be dazzled by theatrical shows, marine inspired catwalk collections, engaging seminars and much more running throughout each day The sequel to last year's star attraction of the Sea Queen Stage Show will once again provide the main draw to the stage, amazing visitors with a stunning 'underwater' show. An aerial display, extreme acrobatics, dance and music will all tell the magical and highly memorable 'A Mermaid's Tale'. If you're more of a creative type, you'll enjoy seeing the winning designs from the Design a Sail competition, creating a wave of colour with Topper dinghies. This new initiative from National Boat Shows (NBS) will come to a climax at the London International Boat Show with the successful sails on display and the overall winner announced on The Main Stage – Powered by Fairline. Get active! Test your marine skills against friends and family in the ever popular interactive Deck Games zone. This year the feature will return with a splash of difference, literally! Be sure not to miss the brand new indoor pool on which visitors can experience a variety of on-water activity in a safe and warm environment. Deck Games is another interactive feature providing fun, hands-on activities for kids and parents alike. The aim is to encourage young people of all ages to participate in boating by providing a range of stimulating activities that are both interesting and educational. This area offers a range of group games and competitions with the opportunity to compete and win prizes. Classic Boat Ever popular with visitors, the area will provide an opportunity to watch, learn and talk to experts about classic boats and find out about the traditional skills involved in their restoration. The Classic Boat feature will once again be supporting the 'Cutty Sark' restoration project. Enjoy Boating The Enjoy Boating stand at the 2008 London International Boat Show offers impartial advice to anyone who is new to boating, or those who have begun their journey and would like further information. Whether you are just starting out, joining a club, buying a boat or booking a holiday we will be able to point you in the right direction – and help you get afloat! We encourage everyone, whatever your boating experience, to come along and talk to one of our helpful experts who can offer extensive advice to help you 'enjoy boating'. This educational feature will offer practical Masterclasses and crowd-pulling demonstrations for beginners and experienced sailors alike. Ask those boating questions you've always wanted answering – from navigation and electrics to information on plumbing systems and paint. When you need to take the weight off your feet and take in the Show at a more leisurely pace head over to one of the numerous hospitality areas for a bit of light refreshment. Enjoy a Guinness at the Black & White Bar, now serving a selection of drinks, as well as the popular Sunseeker Champagne Bar. Come On Board Following its launch at last year's Show in London, the successful Come on Board initiative will return in January. Come on Board is a scheme designed to enhance the overall visitor experience, and encourages visitors to interact more with exhibitors who are willing and eager to offer expert advice and introduce visitors to their Show offering. All exhibitors taking part in the Come on Board scheme will visibly display the logo, indicating to visitors they can find out more about their products or climb aboard their boats at the Show. The Royal Victoria Dock will feature some of the largest exhibitor boats in production which cannot physically fit through the doors of the ExCeL building, as well as a dedicated outside exhibition space featuring a number of inland craft. As with last year, manufacturers from the inland waterway industry will be showcasing both narrow and wide-beam boats at the west end of the dock. Since 2004, when the Show moved to ExCeL in London's Docklands, the Royal Navy has worked closely with National Boat Shows to bring a number of frigates and destroyers to the Show. The popularity of these Royal Navy vessels is demonstrated every year with approximately 25, 000 visitors climbing aboard and exploring the ship throughout the 10 days of the Show. The London International Boat Show sailing regatta entertains crowds throughout the Show on the Royal Victoria Dock. Thundercat demonstrations and the Yachts & Yachting Battle of the Classes: Pursuits Race is just some of the action not to be missed. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Exhibition News :: home page |