British Marine hosted the inaugural Trade Tuesday event aimed at strengthening industry networking opportunities and supporting trade business which takes place during the show.
The free event, sponsored by Haven Knox Johnson Commercial, Marine Industry News and the British Marine Professional Services association, welcomed some 80 attendees who enjoyed a programme of three sessions focusing on business opportunities, environmental issues, and new communication strategies, alongside multiple networking opportunities throughout the morning.
In his opening address, Paul Martin, chair of the MTA and member of the British Marine board, who has been instrumental in bringing Trade Tuesday to the show commented: “The Southampton International Boat Show is one of the few events each year when the trade get together to learn, talk and discuss and we really hope everyone gets something from today’s event. Trade Tuesday aims to build on these opportunities, and we have some very interesting sessions lined up and plenty of networking breaks throughout the morning.”
To get things underway Paul was joined by Brian Clark, Head of Public Affairs, Member Relations & Research at British Marine and Simon Taylorson, British Marine’s Commercial Director, for ‘One Step Beyond….staying ahead in 2024’. A short presentation was followed by an open discussion on the opportunities for the coming 12 months.
After a networking break, the next session entitled ’It’s not easy being green…..or is it?’, hosted by Lyndsay McClay, Chair British Marine South and member of the British Marine Board, with guest panellists James Brushwood, Environment and Health and Safety Executive, British Marine and David Kendall, CEO, Optima Electric Yachts, offered an open discussion on carbon footprints, boat recycling and current environmental themes.
Whist the final session, ‘Rage against the Machine…. are the BOTS taking over?’, took at closer look at the good, the bad and the ugly side of AI and how to use it to your advantage, plus the latest social media tips and tools. Host Paul Knox-Johnston, Chair of British Marine Professional Services Association, was joined by a guest panel consisting of Emma York, Fresh Approach PR and Ben Taylor, Flagship Digital Marketing.
Speaking of the event, Alastair Clayton from Seaglaze commented: “I have really enjoyed the event. It has been really beneficial to get some time away from the stand to learn about the wider industry issues, that I need to be aware of. I now have a dozen action points and I regard it as great use of my time.”
Whilst Chantel Haines from Marine Industry News added: “It has been very informative. It is important that as an industry we get together. The more we can discuss and share knowledge and best practice the better, such as sustainability issues discussed here today.”
Trade Tuesday is a much-welcomed addition to the Southampton International Boat Show programme and serves as a pre-cursor to the British Marine National Conference which takes place at the ICC, Wales, 27-28 February 2024.
