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The Ordnance Survey show is a hit with over 46,000 visitors
With an increase in visitors of 15% on last year.
The Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show 2006 was an action packed event where Ben Fogle was reunited with his Atlantic boat, France and Russia triumphed in The North Face UIAAICC Bouldering World Cup and Momma Cherri cooked up a delicious soul-food breakfast for the Fourth Knowle Sea Scouts, who had camped outside the NEC.
Show manager, Kate Thomas, dmg world media, said, "This year the event was more energised and dynamic than ever. Over 46,000 people attended the show, an increase of 15% on 2005. The public really got behind the event and that helped create a buzz from the word go."
Vanessa Lawrence, director general and chief executive of The Ordnance Survey added, "This year's show was bigger and better than ever. We welcomed the opportunity to talk to customers face-to-face about our mapping and the issues involved in exploring the outdoors. The recordbreaking attendance proves the popularity and extent of the outdoor leisure industry and the show was an ideal opportunity for consumers to meet with experts and outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life."
The 'Have a go' areas proved extremely popular, with visitors scaling the giant stalactite and ice wall, cannoning at the canoe pool, testing high-end bikes at the bike arena and taking advantage of free diving tuition in the dive pool. Elsewhere adults and children were trying crate climbing with the Scouts, wilderness skills with Girl Guiding and caving with the YHA. This year's line up of speakers was a who's who of outdoors champions including Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Sir Chris Bonington, Alan Hinkes OBE, Leo
Houlding, Jake Meyer and Charley Boorman complete with a phone call from Ewan McGregor for those lucky enough to catch this session.
The Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show was the venue for two major competitions in bouldering and canoeing. Huge crowds watched The North Face UIAAICC Bouldering World Cup as the competition proved no problem for Jérôme Meyer of France who took first place in the men's event and Olga Bibik of Russia who came top in the women's event.
Over 70 competitors took part in the Xtreme Challenge, an amazing canoe water sports competition where the ladies winner was Lynsey Evans and Ettienne Stott took the men's trophy. The Bungee Boatercross brought out a roar from the crowd as two at a time, the athletes raced head to head down the pool as the carefully tensioned bungee they were attached to tightened. There was a fantastic atmosphere across the whole event and visitor enthusiasm for the products, talks and activities was evident throughout the three days. Many exhibitors have already signed up for next year's event on the strength of its success.
The Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show will return to the NEC next year on 16-18 March 2007.
