HSBC chief economist Dennis Turner had 350 of the south's leading businessmen and women spellbound during a unique conference on board Queen Mary 2 in Southampton.
His insights about the UK economy, punctuated with quips and comic asides, captivated the audience, who gathered at the luxury liner's planetarium.
Mr Turner's speech was one of the highlights yesterday at the event, which was followed by a three-course lunch at the Britannia Restaurant.
The conference was hosted by Southampton legal firm Paris Smith and Randall for clients and guests, who were welcomed by senior partner Richard Smith.
It was the first time that £580m QM2 had held an in-port business conference, which took place as 2,600 passengers disembarked and another 2,600 embarked for a six-day voyage to New York.
l So who was there? Find out in our picture special, in next Tuesday's Business South in the Daily Echo.
l Pictured left, HSBC's Dennis Turner addresses a captivated audience, below, on QM2.
Echo pictures by Malcolm Nethersole
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