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Windsurf and Sailboat Show
Olly - 18-2-2003 at 12:55

Just thought I'd mention that I am thinking of going to the Windsurf and Sailboat show in London during the first weekend in march.

Has anyone been, is it any good, is it worth the hassle of travelling down from Bristol (stopping at my girlfriends so will be travelling along M4 on Sat morning).

Or shall I stop home and save my pennies.


justal - 19-2-2003 at 17:12

Olly, I've never been to it myself, nor will I be going this year (its quite a drive from West Wales). Paul (who's quite often online here is going as far as I know, and the only other stuff I know about it is that the windsurfing section will be slightly smaller in size than last year, but the following manufacturers will have stands with all their newest kit:



I don't know if any of the bigger shops have stands as well, but I do know that Boards magazine does.

If you go, just keep control of that credit card!!

Al.


Olly - 19-2-2003 at 17:17

Thanks for the reply, I will probably book some tickets this week and give you a report of how it was when I get back.

As for the credit card, I have a feeling it's going to get a battering!!!


badexcuseforasailor - 19-2-2003 at 22:37

I know in past years robin hood water sports and surfstore have had stalls at the show. Not sure about this year. I may be going up gonna wait on the weather will be going if its not windy.


paul - 24-2-2003 at 15:32

I'm going, anyone got a credit card I can "borrow"


justal - 2-3-2003 at 10:48

How did you all get on at the show then??

Did the credit cards take a bashing?

Al.


badexcuseforasailor - 2-3-2003 at 16:51

Had a very iffy session at brogborough today so maybe I should of gone and given the credit card abit of session at the show.


Its nice to be a beach bum now does that mean I don't have to goto work tomrow?


SeanBo - 2-3-2003 at 20:08

congrats on becoming a Beach Bum

Having also just qualified I am looking in the mirror for any changes, but so far the hair is still thin and short and the 6 pack is still disguised by a few too many Stellas...Hope your change is going better than mine

SeanBo


paul - 2-3-2003 at 21:19

well I went to the show but I was somewhat disapointed at the lack of windsurfing stands !

full report on my website later

Click here and select Diary


Olly - 2-3-2003 at 22:11

Went down to the show on Sat. Spent loads of time stuck in traffic in London (at one point bumper to bumper for over an hour, travelling only about 5 miles).

Anyway like Paul, I too was disappointed by the lack of windsurfing reatilers and manufacturers.

At the end of the day windsurfing is a minority sport therefore any marketing communications have to be very specific in terms of communicating to the correct target market. Also the small population of windsurfing tend to mean marketing budgets and inparticular advertising costs have to be kept low, therefore magazine and internet ads would seem the logical choice by which to communicate with consumers. With the exception of a bit of direct marketing how else could companies advertise and show off their products and also meet the customers that make all their jobs possible. Surely they couldn't use a major, national exhibition, couldn't they????. After all their customers come to them, even the advertising to attract them to the show is the responsibility of the organisers.

To say the least I was expecting a few manufacturers so I could see all their products, even if our sport is better if we try the products before we buy, I thought it would be good to see whats on offer at the mo.

Anyway, thats my rant over and done with!

Just to sum up my day, show was a disappointment, the credit card is intact and I got to spend some much needed time with me girlfriend.

Olly