2020 Southampton International Boat Show Postponed Until 2021

British Marine has announced that it will be postponing the 52nd edition of the Southampton International Boat Show until September 2021. The association issued the following statement: 

“Following the COVID-19 guidelines regarding large-scale gatherings, British Marine will be postponing the 52nd edition of the Southampton International Boat Show until September 2021.” 

However, with last week’s government announcement stating that a timetable for events will be revealed next week, British Marine will be continuing to explore the options to run an alternative, smaller scale outdoor event.

Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, said: “The world is in an unprecedented situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and public health is everyone’s priority. Annually Southampton International Boat Show attracts an attendance of over 100,000, with over 430 exhibitors. An event of this size and format is simply not possible this year and as such, we have made the decision to postpone it until September 2021.”

Councillor Satvir Kaur, Cabinet Member for Homes and Culture, Southampton City Council, commented: “Southampton is known for its jam-packed events calendar and the Boat Show is one of our biggest and most popular features, attracting tens of thousands of people into our city and putting Southampton on the map. We are keen to revive Southampton’s thriving events offer while working within public health advice and government guidelines. We look forward to welcoming back the Boat Show and celebrating everything our great city has to offer, when it is safe to do so.”   

On behalf of the leisure marine industry, British Marine has been working tirelessly with event stakeholders, including Southampton City Council, to consider all options for staging an event.

Lesley Robinson continues: “As government guidance on COVID-19 evolves, British Marine will continue to work with both exhibitors and key event stakeholders to explore all other opportunities, including an alternative smaller scale outdoor event to support the leisure marine industry and its members. British Marine are encouraged by today’s government announcement that they will be setting out a timetable for getting events as Covid-19 secure as possible next week.”

Lesley said: “We’re naturally very disappointed that we cannot run the event this year in its usual magnitude and format, but the Southampton International Boat Show is a key international event, which will be back stronger than ever in 2021. We will ensure that we make the 52nd edition one to remember.”

Image: Southampton International Boat Show