TYHA’s Which Marina? Stand – Better than Ever Before! 31-01-2009
They do say that it is rude to ‘Blow One’s Own Trumpet’ – however, how can that be helped when we all know of the great success of the TYHA Which Marina? Stand at the London International Boat Show 2009.

The Stand, once again, provided a ‘one stop shop’ for Show goers who required information on where to berth their boat enabling visitors to find the perfect marina facilities to suit them. The stand was intensively promoted to other show exhibitors, to ensure that potential boat buyers knew where they could find their new marina berth!

This year, the 171m2 stand, enjoyed an excellent location in the North Hall of ExCel just inside the open doors N8 at the East Entrance, alongside a wide aisle leading to the Main Stage where all the entertainments at the Show were featured. Marina and Mooring Sites taking part on the stand totalled 72 and included ABP Haven Marinas; MDL Marinas; Tingdene Marinas; Premier Marinas; Quay Marinas; Yacht Havens; Castle Marinas; Tollesbury Marina; Gillingham Marina; Port Falmouth Marina; Saint-Quay Port d'Armor; Camper & Nicholsons Marinas; Bembridge Harbour; Salterns Marina; Carrickfergus Marina; Dun Laoghaire Marina and Milta Bodrum Marina – and the staffing levels were just right, as all these exhibitors were given the opportunity to ‘work’ on the stand. We should remember too that 29 TYHA Members took up the offer to display their brochures on the stand, which gave additional information to the visitors.

Thanks must go out to Simon Jordan and his team at Evolutions FX whose dedication to build the stand on time was above the call of duty! The stand was set into a new format, with four pods around an open plan central administration desk, which made the stand look more spacious, and gave it a very professional edge.

Even more important than that were the presentations which took place in the afternoon of the 15th. Our Chairman, Sam Bourne, presented Gold Anchor Awards to John Binder from Poole Quay Boat Haven in Poole; Simon Haigh from Quay Marinas on behalf of Deganwy Quays Marina in Wales; Artun Ertem from Celebi Marina in Turkey and Hal Bleakley from Dun Laoghaire Marina in Dublin.

On top of all that, Tony Rice from ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations) awarded a Clean Marinas Certificate to TYHA’s Gold Anchor Award Scheme. This means that ICOMIA certifies that TYHA has passed peer review for compliance with the criteria for universal recommended environmental best management practices, established by ICOMIA’s Environment and Marinas Committee.

Lets hope that many of our readers came to the Show and saw for themselves the success of the stand. For all those who were unable to make the show and see the stand in the flesh, here are a selection of photographs. Perhaps next year, for LIBS 2010, you will make a point to visit, book the meeting room, arrange to have a brochure rack or even go the whole hog and book a panel on what we believe to be Which Marinas Best Stand Yet!