Inaugural Trade Tuesday event launched at Southampton Boat Show

British Marine is launching the first Trade Tuesday event at the upcoming Southampton International Boat Show (SIBS), which runs from 15-24 September 2023.

Sponsored by Marine Industry News, Haven Knox Johnson Commercial and the British Marine Professional Services association, Trade Tuesday is a free-to-attend event for members of the marine industry, taking place on 19 September 2023.

Registration for Trade Tuesday at SIBS 2023 is now open.

The event will be made up of three sessions, focused on business opportunities, environmental issues, and new communication strategies. There will also be multiple networking coffee breaks that will run throughout the morning.

Tuesday morning at SIBS is usually when the Marine Trades Association (MTA), Isle of Wight (IOW) and South Associations host their breakfast networking session and AGMs. With this in mind, British Marine says it saw the opportunity to run a free event in order to strengthen industry networking options and support the trade business done during the show.

“The Southampton International Boat Show brings the UK marine industry together with many non-exhibitors visiting on the quieter Monday and Tuesday. It made sense to develop our existing networking morning on Tuesday into a more structured event for the trade”, explains Paul Martin, chair of the MTA and member of the British Marine board.

“Trade Tuesday is a much-welcomed addition to the Southampton International Boat Show programme”, adds Brian Clark, British Marine‘s head of public affairs, member relations and research. “We have a great panel of speakers lined up, and we are sure attendees will take a great deal away from the sessions, as well as enjoying the opportunity to network with their peers at the show.

“Trade Tuesday will also serve as a precursor to the British Marine National conference taking place in February next year.”

Trade Tuesday will get underway with a breakfast networking session starting at 8am for all attendees, with the first session starting at 9am.

Trade Tuesday programme of events:

• 8am: Coffee and breakfast with networking
• 8.35am: Welcome words
• 8.40am: Association & Regional AGMs
• 9am: ‘One Step Beyond….staying ahead in 2024.’
  
  This is a short presentation, followed by an open discussion on opportunities for the coming 12 months, hosted by Paul Martin, MTA chair and British Marine board member. The guest panel features Brian Clark, head of public affairs, member relations and research at British Marine and Simon Taylorson, commercial director of British Marine.

• 9.50am: Networking and coffee
• 10am: ‘It’s not easy being green…..or is it?’
  
  An open discussion on carbon footprints, boat recycling and current environmental themes. Hosted by Lyndsay McClay, chair of British Marine South and member of the British Marine board (and MIN‘s commercial manager). The guest panel features Kate Fortnum, campaign manager at The Green Blue, James Brushwood, environment and health and safety executive at British Marine and others.

• 10.50am: Networking and coffee
• 11am: ‘Rage against the Machine…. are the bots taking over?’

A session around the good the bad and the ugly of AI, and how to use it to your advantage, plus the latest social media tips and tools. Hosted by Paul Knox-Johnston, chair of British Marine PSA. Guest panel featuring Emma York from Fresh Approach PR, and Ben Taylor from Flagship Digital Marketing.

• 11.50am: Closing words and thanks
• 12pm: Conference Close

To join the Trade Tuesday event 2023, register your free attendance online.