For the 11th successive year, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the British Marine Federation (BMF) are using the pulling power of the UK's biggest leisure marine industry showcase to give companies an invaluable opportunity to meet potential international customers face to face.  

UKTI and the BMF have arranged for buyers from the world's leading boat and superyacht builders to visit the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show at the ExCel centre in Docklands for one-to-one meetings with UK suppliers on 11 and 12 January 2011.   

Last year's international Meet the Buyer event involved 16 overseas buyers and 59 UK suppliers, resulting in over 330 one-to-one meetings and the generation of significant levels of new business. In a survey of the UK suppliers who took part in the January 2010 Meet the Buyer, the 30 companies that responded expected the event to generate business worth a total of £1.23 million.  

Already for next January's event, 66 UK companies have signed up to meet 21 global buyers, including Grantham-based Wave International. The company manufactures marine products to prevent the oily water that often collects at the bottom of ships, from discharging into seas and waterways. 

Managing Director, Paul Gullett, who has recently been appointed vice chairman of the British Marine Federation for the East Midlands, will be attending next year's event.  He said,

"We've been regulars at this event for the last decade as it's a great opportunity to network with existing customers and potential new ones. It's very well organised and an excellent chance to raise our profile. Any sales leads we get can be followed up by one of our 20 worldwide distributors which include those based in Australia, Europe, Asia and UAE."

As well as the one-to-one meetings, the event provides a unique opportunity for buyers and suppliers of marine products and services to network in one place, saving considerable expense in time and money on travel and logistics.