Blisteringly hot and extremely busy, this year’s Monaco show exuded confidence with a complete sell-out as far as space went, and the crowds were out in force. Of course its timing couldn’t be better as this time last year the full impact of the downturn hadn’t really been felt, and now last week everyone was talking about the bottom having been reached and future prospects looking brighter.
It wasn’t all good news, with the word from the media guys and girls being that advertising volumes continue to be dire, but at least the decline seems to have levelled out and talk elsewhere was of new orders just around the corner as those who have managed to hold on to their money become less embarrassed about spending it.
ClearLine was representing four clients out there this year – Design Unlimited, Humphreys Yacht Design, Lantic Entertainment Systems and Rainsford Mann Design – and the general consensus was one of useful contacts made and groundwork laid for the year ahead, even if no great deals were signed on the spot. We picked up some good leads ourselves, so no complaints there. Mind you, driving around and parking in Monaco remains as much of a nightmare as ever, but after a wet summer in the UK there’s nowhere to beat the south of France in late September!
