AFTER MONTHS OF speculation,[tl:gallery size=133×127] Ocean Media has announced that the 2012 Boat and Caravan show at Birmingham’s NEC has been cancelled. The show, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011, was set to take place from 12 February 2011.
Show stopper
2012 Boat and Caravan has been subject to a lot of speculation since NCC Events, the caravan industry-backed exhibition company announced that it would run a show at London Excel in February. NCC Events is part of the National Caravan Council (NCC) and members did not want the expense of supporting two shows in February. With all the major caravan and motorhome brands sold in the UK being members, it was clear the show would struggle to find support.
Ocean Media sought the support of caravan dealers in the absence of manufacturer support, and despite expressions of interest, little real support materialised.
Trevor Barratt, CEO of Ocean Media said that “loyal exhibitors, including a number of caravan dealers, and the shows many visitors will feel sorry that due to a lack of support from one element of the industry, the 2012 show has cancelled after more than 50 years”.
No Show? No fear…
The first show organised by NCC Events was the successful Motorhome and Caravan Show held at the NEC last month. By bringing the event in house, NCC Events was able to slash ticket prices and visitor numbers were up by 20% on the comparable autumn event in 2010.
Without 2012 Boat and Caravan, the show landscape for early next year centres around a number of smaller shows, rather than a large national one.
Caravan and Motorhome Show 2012 Manchester
Date: 19-22 January 2012
Venue: EventCity
Web: Manchester Show
They say ‘The Caravan & Motorhome Show, the North’s favourite outdoor leisure show, has pitched up in a new home for 2012 – Manchester EventCity – and is going to be bigger and better than ever. Boasting 200 companies, all of the top brands and latest models plus free car parking, the show will be 50% bigger than last year.’
Scottish Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show
Date: 2 – 5 February
Venue: SECC, Glasgow
They say ‘This fantastic one stop shop will once again occupy all 5 halls within the SECC, providing the perfect place to see the latest Caravans, Motorhomes, Holiday Homes, Accessories, Marine Products, Camping Products, Industry Clubs, Associations and so much more’
Motorhome Caravan and Camping Show
Date: 14 -19 February 2012
Venue: London ExCeL
Web: MCC Show
They say ‘Spring 2012 will see the launch of a new February Motorhome Caravan & Camping Show at London’s premiere exhibition venue, ExCeL London. The event will be the biggest motorhome, caravan and camping showcase to take place in London for over five years and aims to satisfy the needs of the thousands of campers, caravanners and motor caravanners living across the South/South East of the country and beyond!‘
