After the most successful Ocean Business show ever in April 2015, with almost 5000 visitors from around the world, it is no surprise that the next show in Southampton on 4-6 April 2017 is sold-out, with five months still to go!
Despite the industry's economic downturn, companies have booked stand space at a quicker rate than ever before and the organizers are expecting a record number of visitors. Versha Carter, Group Director for Ocean Business, believes this is because companies recognize the importance of diversifying into new markets and building new relationships, and Ocean Business offers opportunities for this at a relatively low cost.
Ms Carter comments: "We have had the most incredible response to our stand sales for the 2017 show. Feedback from our last show showed that many exhibitors find Ocean Business to be the single most effective sales tool for return on investment. Companies recognize that in such challenging times, they can't afford to miss its unique opportunities for demonstrating products and services face-to-face and for social networking. People do great business in a relaxed and friendly environment."
MacArtney Underwater Technology Group in Denmark confirms this: “Booking Ocean Business 2017 was a priority for us. Over the years it has proved to be one of the best shows to demonstrate our technology and reach an international audience. It’s also a great networking event at the heart of the industry.”
Ocean Business is now firmly established as an unmissable international event for ocean technology, with almost 40% of visitors coming from abroad. Each Ocean Business show has seen a substantial increase in visitors with the 2015 show seeing a remarkable 29% increase in visitor numbers.
As with previous shows, Ocean Business 2017 will be maximizing face-to-face interaction between exhibitors and customers. The three-day international exhibition of technology and services is backed up by a program of hands-on training and demonstration workshops. Taking place at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, the show provides a unique venue with dockside facilities that are fully integrated into the show and offer an unprecedented opportunity for demonstrations on the dockside or onboard vessels.
As Peter Bennett, Subsea Business Manager at Kongsberg, explains: "Ocean Business is a key exhibition and the demonstrations offer an excellent opportunity to introduce our latest product innovations to the market. The event is highly focused and we’re looking forward to another successful show in 2017."
A fully rebranded website will be coming soon for Ocean Business at: www.oceanbusiness.com with full details about attending Ocean Business at the NOC, Southampton, UK from 4 – 6 April 2017.
