London Boat Show

THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
9th-18th January 2008

The London International Boat Show is the largest marine exhibition in London. This year it hosted more than 500 exhibitors and showcased hundreds of boats, ranging from 1.4 metre sailing dinghies to 37 metre tri-deck motor yachts. The Show provided a vital platform for the industry to showcase its quality, with exhibitors spanning power and sail boats, dinghies, deck equipment, charter holidays, sailing courses, chandlery and more.

The 112,000 visitors this year were treated to a variety of stars of the show biz and boating world. These included model, actress and TV presenter Kelly Brook, who ensured a sparkling start by officially opening the Show on Friday 9 January. Kelly was joined on the Main Stage – Powered by Fairline by crew members of attending Navy frigate, HMS Westminster. Kelly was one of many famous faces to be seen at the Show; among them HRH Princess Royal enjoyed an official tour of the Show on Wednesday 14 January and Bee Gees star Robin Gibb also paid a visit.
Stars of the boating world were present throughout the Show. Dame Ellen MacArthur and Mike Golding on his return to the country were joined by members of Skandia Team GBR, including Olympic gold medallists Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and flatwater canoer Tim Brabants, all of whom were recently decorated in the New Year's Honours list.
Storm were pleased to be asked to provide and co-ordinate the rigging, draping, LED screen automation and lighting aspects of the main performance stage.
The primary function of the main stage was to provide visitors with entertainment and information, as well as to act as an 'attention draw' to the second exhibition space. The performances included a fashion show, with names such as Gill, Speedo, Henri Lloyd, Puma, Elizabeth Hurley Beach and Helly Hanson. Each day visitors were also dazzled by performances of 'A Mermaid's Tale', an aerial display of extreme acrobatics, dance and music.

Storm Lighting's Dave Knapp working with Storms Technical Manager Mark Randall designed an extensive rig utilising Martin MAC 700 spots and washes, Martin MAC 250 Entours, MAC TW1 wash lights, Pixel Line 1044's, Chromabanks and Clay Paky Stage Scans. Generic lighting included large numbers of ETC Source Four profiles, zooms and Parnels. L&E battens and 400w MBI units were also used.

All dimming was provided by Avolite ART2000's, with control being via an Avolite Diamond 4 desk.

Assisting Dave on the job were production electricians Dave Boswell, Jim Driscoll, Stuart Cross, Graeme Coombes and Mary Webb, with Erik Gibbon heading up the rigging team. Crew chief was James Leatherby with Jamie Corbidge programming the Diamond 4.