Seawork rescheduled, as industry waits for clarity on Southampton International Boat Show

Exhibitions and events are essential to marine businesses in the UK and around the world. They provide the space for people and industries to meet, to trade, and to collaborate.

However, Mercator Media has confirmed that Seawork (and sister event the M&CCE Expo) will now be held 15-17 June 2021, with Speed@Seawork, now to be held 14 June 2021.

“Given the restrictions on travel and the effects that social distancing requirements will have on the operation of the exhibition, the team at Mercator Media has been examining alternatives and seeking the opinion of clients,” says Andrew Webster, Chief Executive of Mercator Media. “There is also the added uncertainty surrounding further possible government actions and restrictions, both here in the UK and abroad. We would all prefer that this was not the case, but in the circumstances, we believe rescheduling to 2021 is now the best option for exhibitors and visitors.

“Seawork is a face-to-face exhibition where people meet to discuss new ideas and solutions for their commercial marine businesses and activities. Meeting up with client networks and making new ones is a key reason to attend. For the rest of 2020, it is evident that exhibitors and visitors may be less willing to attend, currently have serious concerns about travel and may feel that their safety could be compromised. While many of our clients depend on Seawork for their business, we are very conscious of the resource and time commitment that is involved and do not wish to produce a less than satisfactory compromise.”

With Seawork announcing its intentions, there are more than murmurs about Southampton International Boat Show (SIBS) deadline date of 1 July for a final decision about whether to continue in September. Some exhibitors are glad that British Marine is ploughing on, while others are asking, where are the visitors going to come from?

Visitor numbers are exhibitions’ bread and butter but there will be a highly reduced footfall given the protocols which will need to be in place (especially as the science is predicting a second wave – and popular opinion touts September as the likely month it’ll hit). 

Anyone who’s queued to enter a supermarket knows the length of time social distancing can add.  When IKEA  opened its doors recently, queues were over three hours long to get inside a premises which is already well known for its one-way systems – so how many people are actively going to want to put themselves through that for a show that’s reduced in size and scope? (Although British Marine has said it’s only lost eleven exhibitors so far).

“We’re happy to visit from the South West as a day trip – if the exhibitors are there that we want to talk to,” says Hugh Mattos, Explorer Marine. “It has to be an easy trip up and worth the effort, as it takes a very long time to get there.”

It’s that ease of visit which is a challenge. Just imagine what it will be like queuing and then getting past the Covid-19 checks.

Connect, an Atlanta-based producer of live events, has announced the type of robust health and safety protocols it’ll be putting in for its conventions. They include temperature checks before entering the event, cotton masks for attendees and staff (provided), and no on-site registration lines (attendees will be sent a badge, a mask, gloves, hand sanitiser, sanitising wipes and other materials in advance). Then there are the glove and hand sanitiser stations, disinfectant foggers and plexiglass shields. The company’s also looking at larger aisle ways and six-foot space between chairs in education sessions and no self-serve buffets. No one’s saying this will be the same for SIBS, but what level of protocols will there be (and who will cover the costs)?

Additionally, Global DMC Partners released the results of its recent Meetings & Events Pulse Survey which sheds some light on event organisers’ plans for coping with Covid-19 at live events. In addition to the obvious hand sanitisers, distancing and reduced attendee counts, 60% of responders said they’d only contract with … event vendors offering verifiable sanitation processes. Are all potential exhibitors considering those implications too?

Admitting the crowds will be put off by protocols could scare off potential exhibitors, as could the requirements they’ll need to have in place, but many companies are champing at the bit to exhibit at the show.

“We’re planning to go to SIBS,” says Bryan Jones, Marketing Manager for Sunseeker International, “there’s no reason why not. As a brand we’re very keen to exhibit at Southampton and any other shows that happen this year. We’re looking at Cannes and Monaco and Fort Lauderdale in the Autumn – hopefully things start to ease off – it’s important for us as a brand to reach our audiences.”

The decision isn’t going to be easy for British Marine, especially as exhibitors may be hampered by trade association directives. As reported by MIN boat brokers have been advised by ABYA, to leave 72 hours between viewings as a H&S precaution  to decrease the risk of spreading the infection. As of 4 June, that advice stands.

“I would be surprised if anyone thinks it’s [SIBS] going to actually happen. I’m thinking what everyone is thinking – apart from the organisers,” says one MIN source, from marine manufacturing. “Is it safe? If they [British Marine] do make it happen, I suspect the attendance will be very low. Commercial companies who are going to survive need to be creative in doing something other than SIBS.”

However, Dean Smith, Commercial Director, is optimistic. “Planning is still continuing behind the scenes and with each relaxation of the lockdown rules we take another step towards holding an event in September,” he says. “We’ve held multiple video conferences with exhibitors to discuss their needs and we’re reasonably confident that even if we are forced to postpone SIBS to 2021 that we’ll still be able to put some sort of event together. The exhibitors have been really supportive with only 11 of the contracted companies having to change their plans and cancel.

“The team are busy planning all options in readiness for our decision and announcement on the 1st July.”

The decision may still be taken out of British Marine’s hands. Southampton City Council was asked to comment on its Covid-19 policies for mass gatherings going forward, specifically how many people it will allow to have in any one place, at any one time, and when the decision would be taken about larger events being cancelled or allowed to continue. A comment has not been forthcoming. 

But back to those IKEA queues. It could be argued that if that many people wanted to visit that store, perhaps the footfall will be sustainable for SIBS after all?