Dear All

Well the week has just flown by, team meetings and One to Ones have been done and today I have the fun job of doing the action points and we can then see organise ourselves for the month.

I hope everyone enjoyed the second “video blog”, it’s quite good fun after the initial bout of nerves (I am not the most photogenic person in the world!) and it’s nice to be able to explain behind the scenes of an insurance broker. Our New Business Team will be attending the ExCel Caravan show in London which has excited them, they will be taking lots of photos and they have a BIG project to do when they return.

As mentioned we have been testing our new product and all is looking good, we are very excited by this development as it opens up new doors for the Company.

On a personal note my son has a bit of a cold this week which may see him miss nursery tomorrow, I need to call them to check what the procedure is as it’s his first proper day.

Tonight sees a visit to the Nations favourite curry house, that being Wetherspoons, the menu has expanded since I last remember it and as sad as it is I am looking forward to it!

Have a great weekend all

Mike

Dear All

After months of rumours and counter rumours in the Caravan Industry, confirmation that the 2012 Boat and Caravan Show has been cancelled formally have hit the headlines.

The decision has been widlely purported since NCC Events, the Caravan industry backed exhibition Company announced a rival show in February at London’s Excel centre. Many of the major brands have jumped in the bandwagon of the Excel show, meaning the need for the long running NEC Show could not compete.

The move ends 50 years of the traditional NEC Event but on the positive side NCC Events have been to able to slash ticket prices as the event is now in house.

Thanks

Mike

Dear All

The annual NEC Boat and Caravan Show was another success this year as organisers reported a 4% rise in the number of visitors in 2011. Other reports from the show were that people were not just browsing, as Bailey recorded a 5% growth with nearly £7million in orders.

Lunar also had a good week with £3.2 million in sales recorded, and the Quasar range in particular being popular with 42% of that figure. Swift have not given any figures yet but had a “strong showing” as reportedly did Elddis and Coachman.

Bailey were delighted with their figures and where the Unicorn was by far the most popular of their brand and still is, the Pegasus, Orion and Olympus are providing stiff competition and there is less reliance on Unicorn.

The next show at the NEC is the NCC Show running 11th – 16th October.

Mike

Dear All

Yesterday we went and visited the Caravan and Boat Show at the NEC in Birmingham and was suprised that it seemed fairly quiet, I don’t if the fact that it was a Wednesday had an impact but then it was half term?

Anyway one thing that struck me is the number of Park Homes at the show, this is clearly a growing market and we went into a few of the Caravans and as usual were very impressed. It was worth going despite the traffic problems there and back, they seem to do loads of work at the same time don’t they?

Today Catherine and Sophie are visiting the show, I am sure they will give their views on this forum in due course.

Have a great day

Mike

Dear All

Rather a grand title but I have to report that I am experiencing some pain in my shoulder today which is getting me down somewhat, I have to book a doctors appointment for a check up and like most men I have the doctors! I don;t expect any sympathy.

It was my sisters birthday yesterday and my family came down to babysit so that we could watch the football (lucky she loves spending time with my son!) although it was a bit of a washout as Arsenal were very poor in the Cup.

I am off the NEC on Wednesday to see the Caravan show and am very much looking forward to it, seeing all the new models, the members Clubs, the caravanners.

Have a great day

Mike