Trade Tuesday returns to Southampton International Boat Show

Trade Tuesday will return to the Southampton International Boat Show (18-27 September 2026) for its fourth year on Tuesday 22 September 2026, with a programme of industry presentations and British Marine annual general meetings.

The free event will run from 8am to 12pm in the British Marine Trade Lounge in the New Wave Hall, followed by a networking lunch.

This year’s programme covers sustainability, exporting, insurance and claims, business practices and overcoming challenges. It will begin with a networking breakfast alongside the British Marine South and Isle of Wight AGM and British Marine Trades Association AGM.

Trade Tuesday will formally open at 9.30am with a welcome from Ben Taylor, chair of the Marine Trade Association and founder and director of Taylor Media. New British Marine CEO Earle Stanner will then take to the stage to greet attendees.

Speaker at Trade Tuesday 

The programme includes industry presentations and networking throughout the morning

The keynote address will be delivered by Invictus Games gold medallist Alex Krol, who will draw on his experiences of perseverance, resilience and adversity.

Other sessions will include practical guidance from Sedgwick on insurance policies and claims. Phillip Easthill of European Boating Industry will update attendees on forthcoming UK and EU regulatory changes affecting marine businesses.

Tom Dowdell, head of marketing at Williams Jet Tenders and Evene Jet Tenders, will present a sustainability case study on how to incorporate environmental objectives into business operations.

The programme will conclude with a networking lunch.

There’s been a lot of chatter at industry events and online about the future of Southampton International Boat Show (SIBS).…

Earle Stanner, CEO of British Marine, says: “Trade Tuesday provides a valuable space for people from across the sector to exchange knowledge, explore new ideas and have the conversations that can lead to new opportunities.

“The combination of practical business content, expert perspectives and dedicated networking makes this a morning that marine professionals should make a priority during their time at the Show. I am particularly looking forward to meeting members, introducing myself and hearing directly about their businesses.”

Clegg Gifford, an independent insurance broker, is the event’s networking sponsor.

Trade Tuesday concludes with a networking lunch for attendees

Trade Tuesday 2026 programme

8am – Networking breakfast

9.30am – Welcome to Trade Tuesday – Ben Taylor

9.40am – Meet British Marine’s new CEO, Earle Stanner

10am – Keynote address on perseverance – Alex Krol, Invictus Games gold medallist

10.30am – Coffee and networking break

10.45am – Good business practices relating to insurance policies and claims – Darrel Chapman and Richard Cray, Sedgwick

11am – European industry session – Phillip Easthill, European Boating Industry

11.30am – Sustainability case study – Tom Dowdell, head of marketing at Williams Jet Tenders and Evene Jet Tenders

12pm – Networking lunch

Boat shows still seen as critical commercial platforms – but with a more selective strategy

Boat shows still seen as critical commercial platforms – but with a more selective strategy

For all the industry discussion around digital lead generation and changing customer behaviour, boat shows remain a central sales channel…

How to attend Trade Tuesday 2026 at SIBS

Trade Tuesday is free to attend, although places are limited and advance registration via this link is recommended. Attendees also require a valid entry ticket to the Southampton International Boat Show.

The British Marine South and Isle of Wight and British Marine Trades Association AGMs will run alongside the networking breakfast in a dedicated area.

The event forms part of the Southampton International Boat Show, which takes place at Mayflower Park.

SIBS entry tickets, including standard day tickets priced at £29 and Marine Trade Tickets priced at £45, are available separately. The Marine Trade Ticket provides unlimited weekday admission from Monday to Thursday, access through the Trade Gate from 9.30am and use of the British Marine Trade Lounge.