Boat show dates announced

Thursday 18 September 2014

Exhibitor registration is now open for next year’s 2015 Barclays Jersey Boat Show, which will be held over the Bank Holiday weekend of Saturday 2 to Monday 4 May.

Organised by Ports of Jersey with the operational support of local specialists, 3D Events, the three-day show will take place in and around St Helier Marina and nearby Weighbridge Place with the promise to be even "Bigger, Better and Bolder" than ever.

First staged in 2008 as a means of raising the public profile of the local marine industry, the event has since gone on to greater success, now considered the largest free-entry event in the Channel Islands and in 2014 recorded its highest-ever attendance figures of 40,000+ visitors over the three days.  

Group Commercial Director for Ports of Jersey, Myra Shacklady, who has been responsible for the overall organisation of the show since its concept in 2007 said: “The heart of the show is our continuing support and promotion of our much valued marine leisure sector and its ancillary services and this remains our primary focus. However, we have made great progress and enjoyed even more success since these early days, attracting interest and participation from many other high-profile businesses, organisations and brands, both on and off-island who consider this the perfect opportunity to showcase their products and services. This increased support has resulted in us expanding the arena into the nearby Weighbridge Place, allowing for an even greater programme of features and activities to take place there.”

The show’s future is guaranteed to continue until at least 2016 as a result of a three-year commercial arrangement with title sponsors, Barclays, which was agreed in 2013. This major financial commitment ensures the show will remain a free-entry public event.

Neil McCluskey, Head of Offshore and Local Markets at Barclays in Jersey said: “The Barclays Jersey Boat Show has established itself as one of the biggest community and lifestyle events in the local calendar, offering something for all the family to enjoy. 2015 will be our sixth year as title sponsors and every year the event has got bigger and better with more exhibitors and an extended programme of attractions for visitors. The show also helps to raise awareness and funding for local charities, which is an important part of our involvement. We are proud to offer our continued support for the Jersey Boat Show and we look forward to working with Ports of Jersey and other participants in the show, which will form part of the lead up to the 70^th anniversary of the Liberation of Jersey”.

The final programme of activities is still at the planning stages but it will once again include opportunities for the public to step on board a number of yachts and watercraft berthed in St Helier Marina while an array of lifestyle and marine accessories exhibitors, local artisans, food and refreshment stalls will be lined up along the adjacent quaysides.

The Royal Navy has been a regular participant at the annual show since it first started and next year will be no exception; strengthening the close relationship it enjoys with the Island. With the show being staged just days before the 70^th anniversary of the Liberation Day celebrations on 09 May 2015, it is hoped an even bigger and more impressive line-up of vessels and Royal Navy activities can be included in the programme.