Ribex 2003

Christopher · 22 October 2002, 18:09

Forum members might be interested in a letter that has just been received from RIB Exhibitions concerning Ribex.

The show is to move to Gunwharf Quay in Portsmouth, but the bad news is that there will only be an "On the Water" side to the show for 2003. The letter explains that due to costs there will be no hard standing available for Exhibitors, which will exclude all the companies that offer support services to the industry including engine manufacturers and the like. A lot of companies who have not only supported the show right from the early days and who do not have boats on the water, will be upset by this decision, and visitors may feel that they are not getting good value for money.

It seems odd that there is no place anywhere along our large coastline that could provide facilities suitable for what is a fairly small and compact exhibition!

Chris Hornidge

Richard B · 22 October 2002, 18:30

Oh no, I think another

thread is about to develop

Pete7 · 22 October 2002, 18:39

They have really lost the plot this time. Funnily enough the renewal notice for RI has just arrived in the mail. I am using the back of it to design a home made console. Probably end up covered in resin,

Charles · 22 October 2002, 19:20

Why don't they just go back to Weymouth - it was far better there anyway?

Alan Priddy · 22 October 2002, 20:38

As a Portsmouth born and breed person and very proud of our new development and its overall concept, I would suggest that RIBEX is only going there for one of two reasons.

1/ They are being paid to go there and hope to rip the public off by charging them to walk down a public gang plank

or

2/ They do not have to pay to be there and will still rip the public off for walking down the public gang plank!
Either way Hugo has definatly shown his colours this time by saying bollocks to the trade who have supported him from the start!
Chris, dont be upset, we are still promoting your product where ever we go. Perhaps now is the time for a take over bid?

I have a plan

How about RIBNET hold a rib show that is free to everyone who wants to come along? Lets say new boats on the water,dealers on the land and a second hand boat market, coupled with a good knees up and get together on the Saturday night.
Location? There better places than Portsmouth to hold it.
Brighton? Weymouth? Poole? or Cardiff has everything that is required and I know they would love to have us.
Let me have your thoughts, I am sure that between us we could put it together. Keith, are you up for it?
Alan P

Keith Hart · 22 October 2002, 20:42

Quote:

How about RIBNET hold a rib show that is free to everyone who wants to come along? Lets say new boats on the water,dealers on the land and a second hand boat market, coupled with a good knees up and get together on the Saturday night

Ribnet mass meeting?

K (I'm getting tired) H

Keith Hart · 22 October 2002, 20:43

Hey

I've just had a look who's logged on. If the Devil should cast his net.....

Keith (going home from work in a minute) Hart

Jizm · 22 October 2002, 22:10

I agree with Alan P, freebie show on the IoW only accessible by boat!

Alternatively:
I am in a local motorcycle club and it's amazing the effect we have upon entering a pub or other such establishment, people leave/go quiet/ move somewhere else etc. Surely between those that use this forum and associates we could simulate this phenomena in a harbour using ribs? (Not forgetting Keith in his sib of course and possibly a couple of sportsboats!)

GED · 22 October 2002, 22:46

R.I.B INTERNATIONAL
:

R.I.P

Daniel · 22 October 2002, 22:56

Sounds good...

I went to RIBEX this year and found the land-based stuff more useful than gorping at the nice new flash boats. Don't think i'd bother if it is water only. I've nothing against HMS BUT that is a very silly move.

RIBNET show / event whatever...beer

...boats

...women...

I'll be there, and could prob. get a stand out of my local marine dealer (Yam and Merc. dealer)

Dan

Alan · 23 October 2002, 09:53

Well last year I got critiscm from certain quarters for organising a cruise on the same weekend as RIBEX. (Didn't stop 7 boats and 25 odfd people having a good weekend). Presumably next year no-one is going to have a problem with this?

I think the "Rib.net Rally" (Catchy eh?) should be organised for the same weekend, widely publisced as come see and meet ribsters for free. Holding it in the Solent to make the point say at Haslar marina would be nicely in RIBEX's face, but Weymouth or even Cardiff would be a better venue.

Could we get some trade support from those that can't put their products afloat? Hmmm interesting!

Alan

Keith Hart · 23 October 2002, 12:06

Hi

Why not organise Ribnet Mass Meeting at the same time and THE SAME PLACE?

We can all meet up, take a look at the new stuff, and show the rest of the world what a great bunch we are! Perhaps we could organise a block Ribnet discount for Ribex?

Keith (just a thought) Hart

Daniel · 23 October 2002, 15:38

Wonder if we could get an advert in RI???

Pete7 · 23 October 2002, 17:24

Do we know what dates RI are planning on? Personally I would love to have a meeting at somewhere like Weymouth, and invite the trade stands down.

LURCHER · 23 October 2002, 18:03

You will need marquee expertise ! Don,t for get to give me a call when you need help advice and sensibly price marquees .
John Merrix

www.hiremarquee.co.uk

Alan · 23 October 2002, 23:04

Lurcher,
Howabout "donated to the cause" marquee? In return for copious amounts of "kindly donated by hireamarquee.co.uk" advertising etc etc?!

Ribex2003
I think we've all got it wrong. Its RI's cost saving plan for us all. All you have to do is turn up by RIB and idle past the pontoons looking at the new boats to your hearts content. No need for admission fees!

Thanks Hugo!

Rene · 24 October 2002, 14:55

Quote:

Why not organise Ribnet Mass Meeting at the same time and THE SAME PLACE?

I would just like to say that I really like Keith's idea.

I would love to be there. And just the thought of making it into a boat show with free access like in Alan Priddy's sugestion make's me even more sure that I will be there.

Great Idea. But we vill need some dealers on land, since that's the reason why most people come to the shows.

Count me in.

Regrads
Rene

Mike Garside · 28 November 2002, 11:31

I was reading the worst ever issue of RIB International in the bog this morning and came across the "good news" News item that tells of the move of RIBEX. I decided to email the show contact, Steve Harvey, and find out a bit more. Thought you might like to see what I said. I'll post the reply, if and when I get it....

Dear Steve

I read the news item on page 72 of this month's RIB International that tells of the move of RIBEX from Ocean Village to Gunwharf Quays in 2003. The article paints a very rosey picture of the benefits to the visitor and to the industry of this move but I am, I have to say, confused.

If I am right in what I understand the situation to be, the show will be absolutely of no interest to me - or to anyone else who already has a RIB and does not plan to buy another in the near future.

I say this because it appears to me that there are to be no shoreside exhibits at all. Is this the case or is it not?

The reason that shoreside exhibits are important to me, and those like me, is that they offer us the chance to look at all aspects of ribbing - other than buying a new boat.

I have only had my RIB for a year but in that time, thanks to my visit to RIBEX last year, after comparing what was on offer from the exhibitors, amongst other things achieved on the day, I bought a new engine, a set of excellent flat fenders that I have not seen anywhere else and talked with a propellor repair company in depth about props.

Will I still be able to do things like this? And, if so, how will it work if all the exhibitors are to be afloat?

I would appreciate a timely reply so that I can let other users of RIBnet Forum know the answer without too much delay. I know many others share my concerns.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely

Mike Garside

Alan · 28 November 2002, 12:01

Oooohhh you mentioned rib.net. That'll label you as a troublemaker and ensure you don't get a reply

!

Look on the bright side Mike, you were reading RI in the bog so were ideally placed to recycle the pages for a more useful purpose!!

Keith Hart · 28 November 2002, 12:15

Quote:

you were reading RI in the bog

Just think.....next issue you will be sat on the toilet looking at a picture of ME !

Keith (what a thought!) Hart