Ribex Postponed (Cancelled?)

[Nick]

For details go to Rib International's web page,

[Manos]

.........was looking forard to that one.

[toby.budd]

I am sorry to hear that it is cancelled, I was looking forward to going as I couldnt make it last year.

However I should imagine that this could be a real pain to some of the smaller manafacturers and exhibitors like geko, henshaw etc..

Toby

[wavelength]

Oh bugger
We were driving there again this year with over a dozen boats on one stand Its the only time in the year we get to drive boats we could not possibly afford
Going off to sulk now

[Aging Youth]

Hi Guy's,

Not wanting to sound too cynical but this venue was not really an option. The Gunwharf was developed by the private sector as a major shopping complex & tourist attraction to compete against the new complex built in Southampton and aimed at the higher end of the consumer market.

IMHO this site could not hold the numbers of exihibitors that makes Ribex as poular at it has become. They have only just finished putting in the vistor berths and Changing facilities.

As yet i still do not know how you can visit this site by water, as far as I am aware all berths are private.

I cannot understand why it could not be held in Port Solent? It will be our loss and those manufactures who enjoy showing off there new designs will surely lose out.

Prhaps we could voice our own disproval to the organisres as one group of Ribsters.

Any thoughts

[TIM]

I was planning to go to RIBEX, as I havent been before. But when I heard that this years show was to be water based only, I simply couldnt be bothered, as Its not many boat shows that you go to and buy a boat at. I always buy other stuff, like life jackets , flares etc .....

So, I am not suprised, When however they anounce the 2004 one with on shore facilitys, I will be there.....

[thewavehumper]

Perhaps we could organise a ribnetex . I know the very place to do it Saxon wharf!

It could fininsh with a decent firework display

[Alan Priddy]

DO IT !!!!

[Mike Garside]

Wondered when you'd chip in on this thread, Alan!

After all the bull I was given by the RIBEX organiser when I asked him what benefits there were in an on-the-water-only show for all the folk like me who have boats they have no intention of changing but want to know what there is in the way of bells and whistles that can be added, it sure makes me larf.

As you said a while back, this time Hugo has really shot himself in the foot. Unfortunately that lack of good business judgement now means there's no show for one and all.

Let's hope that some mover and shaker like Stuart THE WAVEHUMPER can get an alternative up and running. Go for it, Stuart!

[seahound]

Did the RIBEX organiser/team do any research before he decided to make the show an 'on water only' event?? It certainly doesn't sound like it. It seems at the last minute he decides to cancell due to lack of interest by all parties.( Oh big surprise there) I think if he had made a few phone calls months ago, he would have found that out and things would not be in the mess that they are in know. Talk about being out of touch with consumers and manufacturers alike.
For someone to call themselves an event organiser and make a cock up like this is quite staggering.

[Alan]

I like the idea of RIBNETEX although I suspect it might already be too late to organise anything meaningful this year.

No surprise in ribex being cancelled or dare I say no loss? I think that the market doesn't really call for an annual exhibition - RIBEX would probably do better as a land and sea based bi-annual event.

Alan

[toby.budd]

Maybe RIBex could be run it in tandem with another simmilar exhibition like Sea Work at Southampton.