Ribex 2004

[Gazza]

After reading the spiel of the largest rib show on earth we traveled up from Exeter...... and i guess if I'm honest my first thoughts were where is the rest of the exhibition...

However on reflection an early arrival on Friday mean't that I was the fourth person through the gates, promply bumped into the Rib-x display and brought one......( Rib that is )

So I guess Ribex had its desired effect.....

Gazza

Yeah I know a salemans dream....

[Manos]

Which one did you get Gazza?

[Gazza]

Hi Manos

I ended up buying the XP575 with a suzuki 90 4 stroke....

It seemed the ideal choice as I have to tow all the time and I have a family that like boating, and I am also a qualified diver and have also been known to do a bit of water sking.....

So I thought this package was a good all round option.....


Gazza

[Manos]

Good choice and here is a well deserved agreeny point (when I am allowed to do so) Post some photos to see when you get th chance.
Good luck and many happy times on the RIB

[Keith Hart]

So, how many of you have emailed the RIBEX organisers with your views yet?

Keith Hart

[John Kennett]

The discussion is all here, publicly available for all to see.

If the show organisers are interested they will read it -- it's not as if there are all that many RIB sites to keep up with!

John

[Nick West]

Well put, I would have to agree. Just because the opinion is negative, does not mean that it is not valid. Hopefully the organisers will read these threads and it can be improved!......The people on Ribnet who were dissappointed are not experts in organising these events, just attending them!

[TIM]

There are two ways to give an opinion, a negitive way and a positive way ..... With RI and RIBEX I feel some people are very quick to give a negitive opinion.... most of us read RI and a lot of people turned up to RIBEX......

And Maybe a good idea if people said ' I would have liked to see more chandlery, Tornado, zodiac or Clothing, dive gear.....or what ever you want, instead of saying ' Crap, never again or I thought I was the only person there etc etc....... It makes a BIG difference........

I for one, am happy to read RI go to RIBEX and of coure surf RIBNET... Because if it wasnt there we wouldnt be as well informed about RIBS and able to share views etc and that would mean less fun !

Everything can be improved...... and I look foward to see RI get Better RIBEX get better and RIBNET get better.......

Nothing personal but the Rib world is not that Big, and we may not like or get on with everyone... but if they werent there ..... who ever, or what ever it is, it would be a loss.....


PS I am full of s**t

[Ribald]

I think Keith (The Sage) Hart has the right idea. E-mail the organisers with the heading Ribex Feedback and let them know your views either good or bad. I'm sure they would appreciate any comments.

I was rather surprised at the small number of stands but as my main reason for being in Cowes was the RIBnet bash, I did not worry too much. The stands that I did visit with specific questions, however, could not have been more helpful.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Ribald

I was rather surprised at the small number of stands...

Remember that last year's (cancelled) show was to be called "RIBex on water" with no shore-based stands at all. I would guess that upset some regular exhibitors. I talked with one clothing manufacturer last year who told me that a bi-annual show was difficult to commit to anyway, so last years fiasco will probably be difficult to recover from.

As long as people keep being negative, we'll never have a decent major show for our pastime. If we show enthusiasm and interest, exhibitors will have more confidence and we could see the event go from strendth to strength.

[Manos]

Just to say that I think the timing of the exhibition was not right and therefore not a big success from what I can make out.
IMHO if people wanted to buy boats they would have done so in the autumn/spring months so that they have them in the summer.
I do not think that people will go in June to buy a boat to be delived the following Jan or Feb. They would want it for the summer and I can't see that they will be prepared to wait for next season.
I understand though that the climate in the UK is unpredictable to have such an event in the spring (say March) or autumn (say October/November) so may be this is the reason they done it now.

[chrisallse]

Both Kim and I had a good time. OK there could have been more stands, but the companies have to be sure they will get a return so it may take one or two shows to convince them. Any RIB maker that chose not to go certainly missed an opportunity to show a lot of people their boats. I agree with Richard, if we want a good show then we should support the organisers. I also think the venue is great. I an very suprised the local retailers didnt take advantage of the Show and take some space.

[Ribald]

Originally Posted by Richard B

As long as people keep being negative, we'll never have a decent major show for our pastime. If we show enthusiasm and interest, exhibitors will have more confidence and we could see the event go from strendth to strength.

Richard, my comment was in no way meant to be negative - just a personal observation from not knowing what to expect and not having been to previous shows.

Ribex 2004 was 100% better than other shows I have been to, both marine and others, where some of the exibitors seem to be more interested in having a good thrash at the company's expense and meeting up with their industry mates than discussing their products with potential customers .

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Ribald

Richard, my comment was in no way meant to be negative

Oops, sorry Peter, the second paragraph wasn't directed at you... just a general comment!!!

(Gawd help me next time I try to get into Portsmouth )