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VISITOR BONANZA PREDICTED FOR INLAND WATERWAYS SHOW The event, to be held in the impressive National Indoor Arena at the heart of Birmingham’s unrivalled city-centre canal network on 29 June to 1 July, has already attracted massive interest from key exhibitors and boating enthusiasts. Organised by Centre Exhibitions – part of the NEC Group – and supported by British Waterways and leading boating magazine, Waterways World, the Waterways show is expected to attract even more visitors than last year – marking it as the country’s premier exhibition for the inland waterways sector. Alongside the packed indoor exhibition there will be a special area devoted to craft and memorabilia stands and a traditional outdoor festival atmosphere with floating exhibits and a superb display of historic boats on the adjoining canals and wharfs.
Extra visitor mooring space is to be provided at this year’s Inland Waterways Exhibition in Birmingham ready to welcome an ‘invasion’ of boaters. Hundreds of enthusiasts cruised to last Summer’s spectacular held at the National Indoor Arena which lies at the heart of the city’s impressive canal network and even more floating visitors are expected this year. Event organisers, are predicting bumper crowds for the three-day show which once again promises to be the biggest dedicated inland waterways exhibition in the country. Group Exhibitions Manager, Peter Ward explained: “Last year was even more successful than we had hoped. Hundreds of visitor boats were moored for miles along the canals which converge on the centre of Birmingham. It made for a marvellous spectacle.  “The NIA’s superb location is undoubtedly the best venue in the country for this type of show and, working with British Waterways, plans are well under way to cope with even more visitors who decide to come to this year’s event by boat.” Mooring areas are being split into different sectors and visitors will be directed to them on a first come-first served basis. Volunteers from canal societies and associations are to act as marshals in each sector to ensure the process runs smoothly. Peter said: “We’re delighted with the response from the societies and it means experts will be on hand to help visitors. We still need more marshals and we’d like to hear from anyone who is interested. “With so many boats expected, it promises to be quite a major logistics exercise but we hope to accommodate everyone who wants to come. Clearly the secret will be to book early.” The mooring charge will be £30 per boat covering five nights from Wednesday 27 June to Sunday 1 July and includes two tickets for every day of the exhibition, a commemorative brass plaque and a special gift bag containing around £50 worth of free gifts or discount vouchers from exhibitors. Mooring spaces can be booked by contacting 0121 767 3262 and visitors will be sent a detailed map showing the location of their sector. Being moored so close to the city centre means visitors will be able to sample Birmingham’s renowned nightlife after the exhibition closes it doors. Peter added: “Once again we’ll be providing a full programme of events and activities to keep all visitors fully occupied and the atmosphere will be fantastic. It will bring a real buzz to the centre of Birmingham.” MAJOR BOOST FOR WATERWAYS SHOW Extra space is to be created at this summer’s Inland Waterways spectacular to help expand the crafts and arts atmosphere at the show.Organisers say that bookings for the main exhibition area are going so well that additional space will now be utilised. Small craft companies, guild members and canal societies and associations are to be given a dedicated area using the NIA’s upper balcony and concourse. Event sales manager, Heath Print explained: “This will create a superb craft festival feature at this year’s event – something that will prove hugely popular with visitors. “Space in the Arena is booking up quickly and every single boat exhibitor space has already been taken – even though we have expanded the number available on the canals outside the NIA. Indoors, our Arena Marina section will feature key boatbuilder names such as Warble Narrowboats, Kingsground Narrowboats, Braidbar Boats and Liverpool Boats (through the New Boat Company).”  Meanwhile the event has received a major boost with the news that the Canal Boatbuilders Association is to stage its prestige business dinner – the Association’s key event of the year – during the course of the show. CBA Chairman, John Pearson of Birmingham-based Channelglaze, said: “The venue is ideal and we hope to attract more members to our dinner. Clearly many will already be exhibiting at the show, but the central location means others will be able to travel there easily.” The dinner, which will be held on Saturday, June 30, will also be open to other IWE exhibitors. The guest speaker will be the well-known historian and broadcaster Dr Carl Chinn who will be talking about the history of Birmingham’s canals. Mr Pearson added: “After last year so much was said about the way the event had attracted a large number of real canal enthusiasts from all over the country that it is not surprising more boatbuilders want to be there this summer. As far as I am concerned it is an excellent show which can only help to boost our sector." Special arrangements are being made to accommodate another spectacular display of historic working boats and anyone interested in taking part is asked to contact Heath on 0121 767 3262. He added: “Visitor moorings are still available and we are particularly interested to hear from boat clubs, societies and associations who may wish to take block bookings. The earlier they contact us the better." MAJOR WORKSHOP PLANS A major programme of seminars and demonstrations is being lined up for
this spectacular event.
“Last year’s seminar and demonstration programme was a huge hit with visitors. Our aim is to provide information for both the committed boater and, importantly, for those who are new to the scene.” Timings for the programme are still being finalised, but visitors will be able to quiz panels of experts on a range of subjects from buying a boat, engine and boat maintenance, holidays afloat and where to go to find the lost corners of the UK’s canal network. In addition, live demonstrations on a host of specialist waterways arts and crafts such as boat decoration and ropework will be running throughout the three-day exhibition, providing people with the chance to have a go themselves. Heath added: “Overall we’re keen to offer as much information as possible. Inside the exhibition people will get the chance to see the latest innovative products from a wide range of companies and the workshops will add an important extra dimension – hopefully encouraging more people to get out there onto our canals and inland waterways.” KIDS GO FREE As boating visitor and exhibitor bookings continue to mount, children under 16 will again be offered free admission to the exhibition. Heath said: “Boating is a pastime for all the family, so we want to make it as cheap as possible for families to visit the show. “ Ticket prices for adults are £7.50 per day for advance bookings – a saving of £1 on the at-the-door price of £8.50. The exhibition will open at 10.00am and close at 5.00pm each day. A dedicated hotline – on 0121 767 4430
– has been made available for advance ticket bookings.
WIN TICKETS FOR THE SHOW!!!
Question:- How much will it cost to moor your boat for 5 days at the show ? (A)
£50
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