Even BBEx first timers Dustcontrol said they were 'very very busy with lots of interest from repairers and boatyards…'

So we got repairers. We got boatyards. We also got The Heavies from Force 4, Mailspeed and Aladdin's Cave. And quite a few more besides. The final visitor total was 1650, just 17 more than last year.

But how much more business would have been done if the attendance had been at the levels we all wanted? Exhibitors don’t go to exhibitions with just the hope they'll make some money.

They want to meet new customers. They want to take orders. They want to do business. And for that an exhibition needs visitors.

All the BBEx exhibitors praised the tremendous efforts put into the show by Jane Wilson and the Mercator Exhibitions girls. But it seems effort isn't enough. Even with the additional efforts of BBEx exhibitors inviting their customers, it seems the trade just doesn't want to know.

So we're having a big re-think. And we want your help.

Mercator Media MD Andrew Webster has written to all exhibitors explaining the company's position.'When we first proposed BBEx to the British Marine Federation (BMF) and the Marine Trades Association (MTA), as a replacement for the Marine Trades Exhibition, one of the priorities was to find a dedicated venue that offered a professional atmosphere, easy transport access and good value accommodation,' Webster explains. 'We believe that Bournemouth and the BIC has largely delivered this.

'On the promotion front, with the support of Boating Business together with the lists at our disposal, we are able to advertise and mail to a large part of the UK leisure marine industry. There is also the website that's been developed at www.bbex.com

'The final piece in the jigsaw is "when''. After extensive debates and both qualitative and quantitative research, we decided to hold the event in the February. The theory was that this would distance BBEx from the Southampton Boat Show and METS and allow for early season buying in time for pre-Easter delivery.

'Not everyone agreed with this decision but we believed that the case was strong enough to try.

'Mercator gave a commitment to produce the event for three years based on this plan. Having delivered this, now is the time to review the overall strategy.

'While many exhibitors did sign orders and meet new clients, it's clear that the event needs to attract more visitors to square the economic equation for both exhibitors and organisers.

'Mercator does not wish to produce anything less than an exhibition of the highest quality and, in this respect, changes are necessary to increase the footfall.

'The first question is, "does the UK leisure marine trade need an annual event?" There are very few people who disagree with the idea that a successful trade show, a meeting place for the business, is anything but desirable.

'Next is location. In many respects, this question is the least important of the three as, within reason, people are prepared to travel to good events. We are reviewing the venue largely because of the cost of hiring the BIC.

'The increase in the costs over the three years, and the proposed increases for the future, are both large. If we can hold or reduce venue costs, stand charges can be held and more money can be spent on improved visitor promotion.

'Finally; the question of timing. There is a view that the event should move back to the autumn, somewhere between Southampton and METS, mid-October.

'Given the above considerations, it is important to have a plan. We are going to hold an open ''town meeting'' to get as many views as people wish to give towards the end of March. It will be a central south coast location. Details of this will be emailed next week. If there is sufficient demand, a second consultation will be held further north.

Webster concludes: 'The object of this letter is to stimulate some debate and thought about BBEx. Please let us know your thoughts and if you are interested in attending the meeting.'