Earls Court 2008 : Earls Court is the perfect venue for hosting all your hospitality requirements

 

This was the original site promoting the 2008 Earls Court Boat Show. Content is from archived pages as well as other outside sources. Enjpy the nostalgic look back to this iconic boat show.

 

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Why Exhibit?

Whether you’re returning to the show after a successful experience last year, or looking to exhibit for the first time, the Sail, Power & Watersports Show offers a great opportunity for you to engage with core boating enthusiasts, connect with a new customer base and increase your sales leads for the new year.

 

With an iconic central London location providing easy access, superb venue facilities and a quality visitor following, the 2008 show is set to provide a fantastic addition to your annual marketing campaign.

 

Our team are on hand to guide you through the registration process so please call +44 (0) 1590 679 338 or email us if you require any assistance

 

Hospitality

Ideally placed at the heart of central London, Earls Court is the perfect venue for hosting all your hospitality requirements. Not only is it easy to get to, but following a recent £15 million revamp, the venue also now offers excellent facilities with which to impress your guests.

Hospitality provides a fantastic way to interact and connect with your target audience in a variety of ways: 

  • Drinks Receptions

  • Product Launches

  • Client Entertainment

  • Awards Ceremonies

  • Christmas Celebrations & Parties

  • AGM’s, meetings & conferences

For further information please contact our Sponsorship and Advertising Team on +44 (0) 1590 679 338 

 

 

SPECTACULAR LAUNCH FOR… 
‘THE 2007 EARLS COURT BOAT SHOW’

 

MAKING A BIG SPLASH...

 

On 29th November 2007 the doors of Earls Court opened to boating communities for the first in a series of new shows at the central London venue. Opened by Prince’s Trust Ambassadors Penny Lancaster-Stewart, Kenny and Gabby Logan, the stage was set for a week of entertainment, education and fun for all ages. It created an excellent trading platform with a wide range of new products and services on display.

 

The show welcomed over 300 exhibitors and hosted several feature areas to compliment each of the show zones. Visitors were able to see a fresh mix of international boats, and discover great value deals at the pre-Christmas show.

 

A raft of sporting heroes, record breakers and celebrities turned out to welcome in the new show. Some simply came to enjoy the event and browse new products, whilst many pledged their support to inspire a new audience with demonstrations of their skills on stage, talks in Speakers Corner and interaction with visitors. One such well-known guest, Benjamin Pred, was particularly impressed with the new technology on display at this year’s event. The scubacraft, in particular, caught Pred’s eye, as an example of the cutting-edge machinery making waves in today’s boating world.

The stylish, bright yellow Scubacraft is destined to be in the next James Bond movie. Combining high performance on the surface of the water with the ability to submerge under water, this lightweight, powerful and dynamic machine epitomizes an exciting new generation of watercraft. Many visitors to the show may remember the appearance of this design idea on Dragon’s Den three years ago. It’s now at prototype stage and looks like it could become a huge success.

The craft’s appearance at Earls Court is the first time it has been seen anywhere in the world publicly. According to Robin Harris – MD of Creative Worldwide, and Scubacraft – although they are not in production yet they are now at the stage where they can start marketing. “The prototype we are presenting here is the result of about 12 months of development and what we are really proving is, that the technology we have been developing over a number of years is possible, and that it works.”


Apparently the boat goes across the surface of the water up to 40-50 miles per hour and it’s powered by a jetski engine. Then all you do when you get to your dive site (fully kitted out in dive kit, of course) is adjust a few simple controls and the boat starts descending. Child’s play!


Head to stand E41 and take a look at this amazing piece of craftsmanship that’s been specifically designed to make the undersea world more accessible.

 

Imperial Motor Yachts, specialists in sourcing some of the finest motoryachts in the world, including Avantgarde Yachts, Johnson and van der Valk, have had an extremely lucrative week.


Michael Miller – the company’s Managing Director – said at the close of business at the show today: “We are delighted particularly with the fact we’ve had a cold client who has come on the stand and inquired about our range of Dutch bespoke motoryachts. He has signed a letter of intent, pre Christmas, to finalise his specification on his 19m van der Valk.”


According to Miller, the starting price for the particular boat he’s ordered is just under two million Euros but by the time it’s fully specified, it’ll be more in the two and a quarter million Euro range, ex VAT.


Miller continued: “We are delighted to have made a new, walk-in contact like that but being here has also proven very useful in that we have seen a lot of existing clients and contacts.”


Miller chatting about the credit crunch says it hasn’t really affected them, adding: “We have the opinion right now that there is a credit-crunch, as widely reported, but that only applies if you need the credit. At the level of the boat we’re building – bespoke motor yachts – there is still this serious intent to get on with life and move forward and we’re very pleased with the response.”


The brokerage side of the business has also been fruitful with one client signing up for a three-month charter on one of their 45m yachts. Charles Watt, former Texas maritime lawyer at a well known US lawfirm specializing in maritime law, now runs Deep Water, a charter brokerage firm handling a large share of the high end yachting business. He says the latest boats draw the largest interest because boating fans love new product - with all the bells and whistles - because they draw attention to themselves much the way a mazeratti sports car does for the driver. This is a world where image counts!


“We’re very pleased because after the three month charter, if his family likes the boat, he hopes to go ahead and purchase it. The boat normally charters between 12-18,000 Euros a day but we’ve agreed a very special rate, still in seven figures, for the three-month charter. So, overall we’re very pleased, and there is no doubt we will be back.”

 

Media Resources

On the opening day, Wednesday 26th November 2008, media are requested to arrive, register or pick up pre-registered passes from 09:30.

 

The Show opens to the public from 10:00.

 

The spectacular opening ceremony will take place at 11:00.

 

Accredited media will be given access to the organisers and VIPs, Ambassadors etc between 10:00 and 12:00.

 

Please send requests for interviews with the Show Organisers in advance using the Accreditation Form or by contacting Peta peta@prworksuk.com or Susie info@silverthreadpr.com

 

We are providing a fully resourced Media Centre and the facility to accredit online for all Media and PR personnel will hopefully help to speed up the registration process on arrival.

 


To receive Show preview news, please email your contact details to our Press Team: info@silverthreadpr.com

 

Susie Reid-Thomas

PR Manager

Sail, Power & Watersports Show


Tel: +44 (0) 208 8758444

info@silverthreadpr.com


or:

 

Peta Stuart-Hunt

Director of Media & Communications

Sail, Power & Watersports Show


Tel:    +44(0) 1590 679621

Mob:  +44(0) 7711 477707

peta@prworksuk.com

 

More Background On EarlsCourt2008.com

 

EarlsCourt2008.com served as the official digital presence for the 2008 Sail, Power & Watersports Show held at the historic Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London. Although short-lived, the show represented an ambitious attempt to revive the tradition of major marine exhibitions in Central London—an area long associated with iconic public events, industry showcases, and cultural gatherings. The 2008 event built upon momentum generated during the 2007 relaunch and used its website as the primary portal for exhibitors, visitors, media professionals, and boating enthusiasts from the UK and abroad.

The website provided information about exhibitor opportunities, hospitality offerings, media procedures, special features, and the overall vision behind the event. In an era before social media took a dominant role in event marketing, the site was a crucial hub for distributing updates, photography, press releases, and logistical information.

This article explores EarlsCourt2008.com in comprehensive detail—its ownership, history, site experience, event structure, audiences, cultural and industry significance, and the behind-the-scenes operation that defined the 2008 show.

History and Background of the Earls Court Boat Shows

The Earls Court Exhibition Centre, originally opened in 1937, was one of the most recognizable venues in London. For decades it hosted concerts, trade shows, sporting events, and major cultural gatherings. From the mid-20th century until the early 2000s, it famously served as the home of the London Boat Show, long considered the marquee event of the UK’s recreational marine industry.

By the early 2000s, the London Boat Show relocated to the newly constructed ExCeL Centre in the Docklands, leaving Earls Court without its defining marine exhibition. Industry sentiment was mixed. Some exhibitors appreciated ExCeL’s modern infrastructure, while others missed the central London accessibility and historic ambience of Earls Court.

In 2007, a group of independent organisers sought to revive the tradition of hosting a boat show at Earls Court. Inspired by nostalgia, logistical advantages, and the desire to bring a more entertainment-driven, accessible marine event to the public, they launched the 2007 Earls Court Boat Show. The inaugural event featured celebrity guests, innovative boats, show zones, live demonstrations, and a diverse mix of nautical products.

Building on that success, EarlsCourt2008.com promoted the second installment of this revived exhibition: the Sail, Power & Watersports Show 2008.

Ownership, Organisers, and Mission

The 2008 show was organised by a dedicated marine events team that positioned the event as an independent, fresh, and welcoming alternative to the more corporate London Boat Show at ExCeL.

The mission for the 2008 event included:

  • Providing a premier platform for exhibitors to showcase products, connect with customers, and build new relationships.

  • Offering a central London location easily reachable by Tube, bus, taxi, or foot—particularly attractive to urban visitors and international guests.

  • Delivering a more theatrical, entertainment-oriented environment, including celebrity appearances, talks, demonstrations, and family-friendly programming.

  • Highlighting innovation, especially technologies that pushed boundaries in boating, watersports, sustainability, and marine engineering.

  • Supporting the marine industry during a challenging economic period, with organizers emphasising resilience despite the onset of the credit crunch.

EarlsCourt2008.com captured all of these values in its messaging, positioning the show as innovative, accessible, and people-focused.

Website Structure and User Experience

Although the website now survives primarily through archived records, its structure reflected a well-designed early-2000s event portal.

Core Sections Included:

  • Why Exhibit? – A detailed pitch to potential exhibitors emphasizing brand visibility, audience quality, convenience, and marketing value.

  • Hospitality – Highlighting the venue’s facilities following a £15 million refurbishment.

  • Media Resources – Press accreditation instructions, PR contacts, and timelines.

  • Show Highlights – Coverage of special features, displays, celebrity appearances, and technology showcases.

  • Contact Information – Sponsorship, advertising, exhibitor services, and press relations.

The site was clean, navigable, and consistent with early WordPress-era event design—functional but not overly stylized, prioritizing clarity and event logistics.

Location, Venue, and Proximity

Earls Court Exhibition Centre

Located in West London, Earls Court was known for:

  • Its proximity to Kensington, Chelsea, and Fulham.

  • Immediate access to public transportation via Earls Court Underground Station, served by the District and Piccadilly lines.

  • Walkability from hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions.

  • Ample accommodation options for exhibitors and international visitors.

Surrounding Area

The neighbourhood was attractive for:

  • Its mix of residential charm and commercial amenities.

  • Restaurants, pubs, and cafes catering to diverse crowds.

  • Easy travel connections to Heathrow Airport.

  • Close proximity to cultural landmarks such as the Kensington museums.

The convenience of the venue was a cornerstone of EarlsCourt2008.com’s promotional messaging.

Decline, Legacy, and the Fate of Earls Court

After 2008, the Earls Court marine shows did not continue due to economic pressures, rising venue costs, and the dominance of ExCeL’s London Boat Show.

The Earls Court Exhibition Centre closed in 2014 and was demolished by 2017, ending an era of iconic trade shows and cultural events.

EarlsCourt2008.com now stands as a digital time capsule—documenting one of the final major public exhibitions held at the historic venue.

 

EarlsCourt2008.com captured a unique moment in British marine exhibition history. The 2008 Sail, Power & Watersports Show represented:

  • A revival of a cherished tradition

  • A celebration of innovation and craftsmanship

  • A hub for industry networking and high-value transactions

  • A family-friendly cultural experience

  • One of the last major uses of a legendary London venue

Though the website is no longer active, its archived content reflects the energy, ambition, and creativity behind the event. Today, it serves as a meaningful historical artifact—preserving the final chapter of marine exhibitions at Earls Court and the community spirit that defined them.

EarlsCourt2008.com