Seawork set to deliver multi-million-pound boost to local economy

Taking place in the week commencing 8 June, the programme combines the high-speed vessel and innovation showcase Speed@Seawork in Cowes on 8 June with the flagship three-day Seawork exhibition in Southampton from 9–11 June.

With 500 exhibitors and around 7,000 professional visitors, Seawork week is set to be the largest and most economically significant edition yet. Seawork week is expected to fill virtually every hotel room south of the M27. With the increased exhibitor base for 2026, visiting exhibitors, buyers and delegates are now projected to generate around £2.3 million in accommodation spend alone across Southampton, Eastleigh, the New Forest and parts of the Isle of Wight. On top of this, dining out, drinks and local transport is projected to contribute a further £3.0 million to local businesses, reflecting the anticipated uplift in exhibitor staff and international delegations on site.

The impact is most visible in and around the exhibition’s waterfront venue in Southampton, where restaurants and bars close to Seawork and in Oxford Street are typically fully booked on show evenings, and in Cowes where Speed@Seawork brings 200 high-value delegates and 20 advanced vessels to the town. Local car parks, taxi firms, public transport providers and port services are all in high demand as thousands of industry professionals move between hotels, the show site and evening networking events.

In addition to visitor and delegate spending, Seawork and Speed@Seawork represent a significant source of income for Hampshire’s supply chain, with organisers and exhibitors together now expected to invest over £2 million in local goods and services. This includes venue hire, quayside infrastructure, marquees, pontoons, AV, marine services, security, cleaning, traffic management, print, marketing and hospitality. When these direct expenditures are combined with the re‑spending of wages and supplier income in the region, the total economic impact of Seawork week is estimated to sit in the £10 million to £13 million range – broadly consistent with independent assessments that previous editions have generated between £9 million and £11 million for Southampton over three days alone.

Councillor Alex Winning, Leader of Southampton City Council said: “Seawork is a significant event for Southampton and reflects the city’s long-standing role at the centre of the UK’s maritime economy. It brings international visitors to the city, supports our hotels, restaurants and transport providers, and helps sustain local jobs. It also brings industry together, supports new business connections and reinforces the city’s position as a global maritime hub, with benefits that continue well beyond the event itself.”

Seawork 2026 runs from 9-11 June in Southampton, with Speed@Seawork taking place on 8 June in Cowes, Isle of Wight. For more information, visit seawork.com.

Fish Farmer is a media partner of Seawork. Be sure to visit our stand at P88.