Trade Tuesday marks successful return at Southampton Boat Show
The popular Trade Tuesday event at the Southampton International Boat Show returned yesterday, on 17 September.
The event, which is organised by British Marine, brought together marine industry professionals for a day of networking and discussion to support trade business and foster industry connections.
With over 100 registered participants, the Trade Tuesday event at Southampton Boat Show 2024 reached full capacity. Attendees participated in sessions covering topics straddling marketing strategies, sustainability and funding opportunities.
Nicky Kildunne, development manager at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), led a session titled “Casting the Net: Exploring Funding and Grants for Marine SMEs,” offering guidance on securing financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The event then shifted to sustainability, with Ross Wombwell, technical consultant for British Marine, leading a session titled “Sailing to Sustainability: Using the British Marine Decarbonisation Hub to Support Your Business’s Journey Towards a Greener Future.” Wombwell provided insights into decarbonisation and practical steps for the industry to achieve sustainability goals.
The morning also featured Ben Taylor, marine industry presenter, and Jon Partridge from RS Sailing, who discussed RS Sailing’s grant funding from Innovate UK and its impact on their business development. Taylor concluded by sharing practical advice on incorporating video marketing into business strategies.
Jeff Batchelor, deal development at Deep Blue Systems, says: “Many of us weren’t aware of the funding opportunities, so it was really valuable to get that information … We discovered a lot of resources we didn’t know were available. That’s why we attend these events—to learn. I hadn’t known much about funding options or how decarbonisation impacts business, so it was incredibly insightful.”
Rob Cotterill, managing director at Advance Yacht Systems, adds: “Ross provided great insights on decarbonisation, which was very informative. The session on funding was also really helpful. Meeting new people has been a highlight, and the event’s structure—with ample time for both networking and listening—worked really well.”
Paul Martin, chair of the Marine Trades Association (MTA), member of the British Marine board, and a key figure in organising the event, says: “The Southampton International Boat Show is one of the key events each year when the trade gets together to learn, talk and discuss and this year’s event exceeded our expectations in both turnout and the depth of engagement. It’s clear that the marine trade community values this platform for networking and professional development, and we look forward to making this a regular event at the show.”
Paul Martin also extended thanks to Lyndsay McClay, president-elect and chair of the British Marine South and Isle of Wight Association — and Marine Industry News‘ multi-talented commercial manager — and Paul Knox-Johnston, board member and chair of the British Marine Professional Services Association, for their roles in organising the event.
A new feature of the 2024 Trade Tuesday agenda was the introduction of afternoon drop-in clinics. These sessions provided attendees with free advice from government departments, agencies, and industry experts, including Border Force, the Department for Business & Trade, UK Export Finance, Marina Projects, and Southern Planning Practice.
Angela Goulding, managing director of powersports at event sponsor DF Capital, adds: “Trade Tuesday provides the perfect platform for all voices to be heard—no matter the size, skills, or background. It’s exciting to witness how the sector continually evolves, embracing innovation, sustainability, and the development of future talent.”
Reflecting on the day, Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, concludes: “Trade Tuesday has once again shown how powerful it can be when the marine industry comes together to collaborate, share ideas, and drive positive change. The turnout and the enthusiasm from participants show just how much we, as an industry, can achieve together.”
Stay informed about upcoming boat shows and marine events scheduled for the coming months.
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