Facilities and Services at Venues

Analysis of site requirements to suit an event concept

Life’s a boat

The Boating Industry Association organises major boat shows each year. These shows provide excellent marketing exposure and play an important role in the promotion of the recreational marine industry. It is estimated that sales associated with the shows contribute up to 25% of the industry turnover.

The concept behind these shows is a celebration of the ‘boating lifestyle’. The exhibition must ensure that leading manufacturers, distributors and marine retailers are able to display an extensive range of luxury nautical craft.

In keeping with the industry requirements, engines, marine electronics, fishing tackle and general boating accessories are also a feature.

Visit a boat show website and select a show in your local area. Then, visit the venue’s website and use the information provided to conduct an analysis the site requirements for the selected boat show. Your analysis needs to determine the site’s effectiveness in achieving the:

concept of the event
requirements of the exhibitors
needs of the event audience.

Note: There is template provided at the end of this document for your analysis.

Consider the following aspects of the event concept:

Event theme and image

Does the venue or site represent ‘luxury’? If not, how have the venue and exhibitors included this element?
How large could some of the exhibits be? Is the site able to accommodate them?
Is the site close to water and are boats exhibited from moorings? Why is this desirable for this type of event?

Estimated audience numbers

What are the estimated audience numbers? Can the site accommodate these numbers?

Facilities and services provided

Does the site allow for both land-based and water-based exhibitions? If there is no water exhibition area available, how have the organisers addressed this issue?
How many exhibitors will there be?
What types of exhibits would you expect from an event such as this? How much space will be required?
Is the selected site easily accessed by the public and exhibitors? Why is this important?
In addition to providing floor space, what other services do the sites provide that advantage the organisers?

Audience/exhibitor profile

What facilities and amenities would attendees require from the site? Does the selected site provide these?

Location

As many of the exhibitors may not live locally, is the site close to a range of accommodation types?

Note: A template is provided on the following page for you to use (or adapt) for your analysis.

Develop venue/site specifications – Solo Activity 4

Analysis of site requirements to suit an event concept

Name of boat show event:

Venue:

Site requirements / Venue specifications that complement the event concept / Venue adaptations to complement the event concept
Event theme and image
Estimated audience numbers
Facilities and services provided
Audience/exhibitor profile
Location

Develop venue/site specifications – Solo Activity 4