New boat show takes out insurance to protect exhibitors for 2022

The organisers behind BoatLife, the new boat show scheduled for February 2022 in Birmingham, UK, have made a significant investment in a government-backed insurance scheme to refund stand costs in the unlikely event that the show is cancelled due to covid. This decision aims to build exhibitor confidence and give financial protection.

The BoatLife floor plan boasts a wide range of exhibitors with boat brands including Bayliner, Saxdor, Brig, Honda and Sealine complemented by engine and equipment companies including EP Barrus, Navico, Aquafax, Suzuki & TotalCool. 

Richard Dove, BoatLife director, says: The insurance policy has come at a premium cost to us, but we want to make sure that our inaugural show has the best foundation to be successful. We have every confidence that BoatLife will be a great show, and this policy was important to support and back exhibitors. It has been well received.”

The NEC, where the show will be held in February 2022, is open for business as usual and is underpinned by the ‘venue protect’ framework.

Holiday, watersports and boat club brands will also be exhibiting in the three halls creating a full day out for visitors. 

BoatLife is currently hosting a series of industry webinars in the lead up to the event.

Yachtswoman Katie McCabe was recently revealed by MIN as the first guest speaker at BoatLife Live, which takes place 17-20 February 2022. The 14-year-old embarked on a 14,000-mile odyssey and became the youngest person to sail solo around Britain.

All visitors are checked before entry, and the venue has hosted many events since it reopened. In a customer survey, 87 per cent of visitors said that they were comfortable with the NEC measures.

With over three million people boating in the UK, and many new people interested in the water in the last 12 months, the show has a large audience to pull from and is sure to attract seasoned boaters and newcomers from across the country.