A Guide to the London Boat Show

The London Boat Show comes back to the city 2009London Boat Show comes back to the city 2009
from January 9th to the 18th and will showcase thefrom January 9th to the 18th and will showcase the
latest trends, designs and sea crafts in the boatinglatest trends, designs and sea crafts in the boating
industry. For nautically-minded people all over theindustry. For nautically-minded people all over the
country the London Boat Show offers visitors ancountry the London Boat Show offers visitors an
enormous range of seagoing options. With all kinds ofenormous range of seagoing options. With all kinds of
boats, boating gear and clothing on display there is aboats, boating gear and clothing on display there is a
great deal to interest the seafarer.great deal to interest the seafarer.
One of London's most prominent annual events, theOne of London's most prominent annual events, the
London Boat Show has been held for the last 54London Boat Show has been held for the last 54
years. The exhibition is held under the aegis ofyears. The exhibition is held under the aegis of
National Boat Shows - part of the British MarineNational Boat Shows - part of the British Marine
Federation sponsored by Collins Stewart, and is oftenFederation sponsored by Collins Stewart, and is often
called the Collins Stewart London Boat Show.called the Collins Stewart London Boat Show.
The London Boat Show received the 'Exhibition ofThe London Boat Show received the 'Exhibition of
the Year' award at the Trade Association Forumthe Year' award at the Trade Association Forum
Awards. The previous show was held, as it has beenAwards. The previous show was held, as it has been
since 2004, at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in January,since 2004, at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in January,
filling the 65,000 square metre space with over afilling the 65,000 square metre space with over a
thousand boats. There was plenty of excitementthousand boats. There was plenty of excitement
too, visitors could try out the fascinating sport oftoo, visitors could try out the fascinating sport of
kite surfing, interact with famous sailors and ofkite surfing, interact with famous sailors and of
course, marvel at the beautiful crafts on show.course, marvel at the beautiful crafts on show.
Olympia was the location of the very first LondonOlympia was the location of the very first London
Boat Show but by 1957, the show had become soBoat Show but by 1957, the show had become so
popular that the venue was shifted to the Earlspopular that the venue was shifted to the Earls
Court Exhibition Centre. To add to the interest boatsCourt Exhibition Centre. To add to the interest boats
were demonstrated to visitors in the pool at Earlswere demonstrated to visitors in the pool at Earls
Court. Sailing had become more affordable by then,Court. Sailing had become more affordable by then,
and the show became even more appreciated andand the show became even more appreciated and
well attended. In 2004, the London Boat Show waswell attended. In 2004, the London Boat Show was
moved to the ExCeL Exhibition Centre tomoved to the ExCeL Exhibition Centre to
accommodate the growing number of boats,accommodate the growing number of boats,
advances in equipment and increasing numbers ofadvances in equipment and increasing numbers of
visitors. Also much larger vessels could be displayedvisitors. Also much larger vessels could be displayed
at the ExCeL.at the ExCeL.
Next in line is the 2009 London Boat Show which willNext in line is the 2009 London Boat Show which will
be held between 9th and 18th of January, and oncebe held between 9th and 18th of January, and once
more, visitors and exhibitors can celebrate themore, visitors and exhibitors can celebrate the
delights of the latest seagoing vessels anddelights of the latest seagoing vessels and
innovations in boat design.innovations in boat design.
There is no lack of accommodation for those planningThere is no lack of accommodation for those planning
to visit the London Boat Show as there are over 600to visit the London Boat Show as there are over 600
hotels in the vicinity of the ExCeL Exhibition Centrehotels in the vicinity of the ExCeL Exhibition Centre
alone, making access to the show a simple matter.alone, making access to the show a simple matter.
One could also book accommodation at hotels suchOne could also book accommodation at hotels such
as the Crowne Plaza London Docklands, the Premieras the Crowne Plaza London Docklands, the Premier
Inn Docklands and the Sunborn Yacht Hotel.Inn Docklands and the Sunborn Yacht Hotel. The
The exhibition venue is located at London, which isexhibition venue is located at London, which is easily
easily accessible from all over the world, with flightsaccessible from all over the world, with flights landing
landing at both Gatwick and Heathrow airports. Theat both Gatwick and Heathrow airports.