Southampton's annual workboat and commercial marine exhibition and conference is growing so fast organisers have decided to move the event to another part of the city's port.

The Canary Islands Fruit Terminal at 104 berth in the city's Western Docks will be the venue for next year's seawork 2000.

Previously the event has been held at the Queen Elizabeth II passenger terminal and nearby waterfront in the Eastern Docks but the need for extra space to cope with increased demand has led to the short move upstream.

In its new venue, seawork 2000, staged between June 20 and 22 next year, is expected to attract around 300 exhibitors and more than 5,000 visitors and conference delegates.

"The previous exhibition site served us well but the move to this new location provides outstanding new benefits for exhibitors and visitors alike,'' said Andrew Webster, director of seawork 2000.

"It will be a top-grade facility of international exhibition standard with unlimited scope on a single level.

"We can promise a bigger, better, more comprehensive event.''

The exhibition floor of seawork 2000, with a clear span of more than 40 metres and up to 12 metres headroom, will accommodate even larger vessels and exhibits and the terminal has multiple access points from road or quayside.

"Easy build-up and break-down of exhibitions stands, often the major drawbacks for participation, will be facilitated by the building designed to provide obstacle-free, smooth, single-level access from unloading bays through the terminal to the quayside,'' said Mr Webster.

The small business enterprise zone will be upgraded and integrated into the main exhibition hall.

"The purpose-built exhibition complex, created within the terminal building, will comprise extended and improved on-site catering including a restaurant, a fully- equipped business centre, press office and a conference suite,'' said Mr Webster.

"Exhibitors who prefer an open-air stand can choose waterside sites on the extensive quay frontage, which will give access to the marina facility

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