“Every year, we research exhibitors and visitors to guide the shape and content of the next Seawork Exhibition and Conference,” explained Jane Wilson, events director for Mercator Media, when in conversation with SMT Online.
“It’s an essential planning tool in the fast developing commercial marine industry, which is thriving in a business climate struggling in other quarters. I can confidently predict that Seawork 2009 will be larger than ever before, attract more visitors and, most importantly, provide additional features to engage their attention.”
Wilson added: “In 2009, exhibitors and visitors will see a number of innovative developments suggested by our research programme, ranging from new specialist pavilions and conference topics to enhanced catering facilities.”
New Maritime Security Pavilion
The concept of a Maritime Security Pavilion at Seawork International has developed over the past couple of years as more companies attend the event to develop new business relationships within the port and inshore security sectors.
Security is clearly a growing market, ranging from detection of illegal cargoes and people entering through ports to preventing terrorist activities and piracy at sea. It’s a sector which involves different official organisations depending on the country and includes the Coastguard, port and border police and the Navy. The new pavilion will be supported by the Association of Police and Public Sector Security Suppliers, EEZING, the Defence Manufacturers. Association and the new UKTI Defence and Security Organisation.
Companies will be able to demonstrate security equipment on the quayside or on the water directly outside the main exhibition hall. These outside demonstrations will be announced by the new ‘Sound-To-Go’ portable PA system which is being showcased at Seawork for the first time. While providing the show with an amazing portable PA system, Sound-To-Go offers a variety of safety and security solutions, including evacuation, crowd control and other emergency response requirements.
Maritime Security is also very much the business of Harbour Masters and the police, both of whom hold conference meetings at Seawork.
UK Trade and Investment brings international buyers
2008 saw the launch of UKTI’s Inward Buyers Mission, bringing 16 commercial buyers from overseas into Seawork to do business with UK companies. The meetings, pre-scheduled and arranged according to buyer demand and supplier capability, took place inside a purpose-built pavilion.
This year, there will be added value with commercial officers from UKTI worldwide accompanying the international buyers. Full details of the buyers’ nationalities and areas of interest will be released in March (which is when bookings open). Last year, 122 meetings took place resulting in more than GB pound 50,000 of confirmed business for UK companies.
MoD means business
Every year, buyers from the small boat and equipment procurement section of the MoD come to Seawork to check out the innovative new products and technologies which are launched onto the market by Seawork exhibitors.
The MoD also runs its ‘How to do business with the MoD’ seminar, which is free and open to everyone. Seawork is the only commercial event of its kind where this happens, enabling even the smallest companies to have their products noticed by the purchasing people at the MoD.
2009 Conference update
Ship and Port Security dominates proceedings on Wednesday 17 June. Wednesday morning features contributions from the DMA, APPSS and EEZING.
80% of visitors are prime purchasers and specifiers, while 91% are vessel owners, operators, directors, CEOs, naval architects, surveyors and civil engineers.
The UK Harbour Masters’ Association holds its Annual General Meeting at Seawork every year. In 2008, more than 520 visitors were from the port, harbour and marina authority sectors. The ‘How to do business with the MOD’ seminar and ‘Meet the MoD’ sessions created business opportunities for more than 500 people. In addition, the Safety and Rescue Services sector saw a 3% rise in visitors to 8% (equating to 500 key buyers and decision makers).
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