This year MDL Marinas is hosting two very unique boat shows – The South Coast Boat Show and the Green Tech Boat Show – in two of its most stunning waterside locations, Southampton and Plymouth.
South Coast Boat Show
The popular South Coast Boat Show (6 – 8 May) will return to MDL’s flagship Ocean Village Marina for the third time.
Featuring the marine industry’s most exciting and innovative global power and sail brands, the South Coast Boat Show will also showcase an extensive range of ancillary services such as associated gear, finance and insurance.
“Owing to its carefully curated selection of boats ready to go, this show is an absolute must for serious buyers who are looking to purchase a brand-new vessel immediately to get out on the water this coming season, or within the next 6-18 months,” says Tim Mayer, MDL’s sales and marketing director.
“Understanding the value of a show focused on generating strong leads and direct sales, we’ve got many exhibitors from last year returning in 2022, as well as some new faces, both on and off the water.”
On the water, brands that have confirmed their attendance include: Arcona, Axopar, Beneteau Power and Sail, Broadblue Catamarans, Dehler, Dufour Yachts, Fjord, Fountaine Pajot, Galeon Yachts, Grand Soleil, Hanse, Hylas, J/Boats, Jeanneau, Lagoon Catamarans, Moody, Nautitech, Princess, Saxdor, Sealine, Seaward, Solaris, Viko and X-Yachts.
Exhibitors already signed up for space shoreside include: General Yachting & Leisure Finance, JDK Marine, Pantaenius Yacht Insurance, Ship Shape Bedding and Vanclaes Stainless Steel Boat Trailers.
Set in its premium location in the heart of Southampton, Ocean Village Marina, with its state-of-the-art facilities, excellent transport links and numerous restaurants and bars, is an ideal venue for a boat show.
Visitor attendance at the show is free. Registration is available at South Coast Boat Show and appointments to view the boats on display can be made directly with the yacht broker.
Green Tech Boat Show
Following the success of MDL’s first Green Tech Boat Show last year, the show will take place again this year at its Queen Anne’s Battery marina, Plymouth, 16 – 18 June.
Designed specifically for boat owners wishing to make their boating experience as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible, the scope of the Green Tech Boat Show has expanded to incorporate a new and exciting trade element.
Owing to collaboration between MDL and Maritime UK South West, the first day of this year’s show will feature the Clean Marine Innovation Showcase, a unique forum for government, researchers and businesses working towards a cleaner marine environment to come together to exchange ideas, highlight new innovations and network with likeminded organisations.
“Commercially viable solutions are already available for some areas of the sector – buyers just don’t know enough about them yet,” said Sheldon Ryan, Maritime UK SW. “In certain areas innovation is required that needs collaboration both within and from outside the sector. As part of the Green Tech Boat Show, the Clean Marine Innovation Showcase enables significant progress to be made in bringing the market together in one place. We are very pleased to collaborate with MDL Marinas again in 2022 to make this happen.”
Ideal for both investors and innovators, the showcase will be invitation only and hosted at Plymouth University’s Marine Station which is adjacent to the marina.
The next two days of the Green Tech Boat Show will be open to the public, with a focus on helping boat owners and perspective boat owners understand what is available to them when it comes to making the switch to greener options.
“We know that boat owners want to see the changes taking place in their work environments reflected in their leisure time,” continues Tim. “But it’s confusing. While an increasing number of companies in the marine world are focused on bringing green technologies to the fore, some consumers struggle to unpick the sustainable options now available to them.”
To address the complexities of green marine technologies, in addition to an extensive range of eco-focused exhibitors, the Friday and Saturday of the show will incorporate an Innovation Hub sponsored by the University of Plymouth, which is among the UK’s leading proponents of clean maritime research and innovation.
The research will be presented in a user-friendly format, and businesses and organisations at the cutting edge of clean marine technological innovation will be on hand to demonstrate how their products contribute to combatting climate change, while still enabling people to enjoy time out on the water and the benefits that brings.
“Our aim with the Green Tech Boat Show, and its new Innovation Hub, is to present as much information as possible to the boating public in a simple and practical way. Showcasing the many different green technologies next to each other will allow people to understand what’s available, and how it works so that they can have a greener, more sustainable boating experience.”
With more landside stands and on water exhibits this year, the show is building in size and importance from a marine industry perspective, both locally and nationally. Exhibitors confirmed so far include: Marine Energy Systems, Maritime UK South West, North Devon Marine, Pixii Electric Boats, RS Electric Boats, University of Plymouth and Vita Yachts.
Companies interested in exhibiting at either of MDL’s boat shows should contact Tim Mayer via T.Mayer@mdlmarinas.co.uk
For more information on MDL’s boat shows visit: https://www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/boat-shows/
