Evolving over recent years has been a series of  areas or trails dedicated to specific sectors of the maritime industry. These 'shows within the show' include RibWork and DiveWork as well as Pavilions for Ship Building & Ship Repair, Fluid Power and, new last year, the Maritime Training and Careers Pavilion. All of these featured areas return for Seawork 2008 to be joined by a new Marine Civils Pavilion, which will enable visitors to benefit from the concentrated presence of companies whose activities are central to the Seawork universe. There is obvious synergy in its placement adjacent to the well established DiveWork Pavilion and additional benefit in it being near a brand new for 2008 bar and fast food area.

Seawork always kicks off with a buzz of press conferences, product launches and contract signings, capped by the opening night Seawork Gala Dinner at the refurbished City Cruise Terminal and again sponsored by propulsion systems specialists ZF Marine. The new venue was a big success on its debut last year, enabling up to 600 exhibitors and their invited guests to socialise in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. A drinks reception is followed by a three course meal and fine wine, with the evening's entertainment making a welcome return to the popular after dinner speaker format.

Another dimension to the Seawork Gala Dinner is the presentation of the Spirit of Innovation Awards. Category and overall winners are selected from entries to the Seawork Innovations Showcase, which is sponsored for the fourth consecutive year by Marine South East and runs throughout the show. Organiser research has shown that 82% of Seawork visitors come specifically to source new products and vessels. The Innovations Showcase allows them to see what is new quickly then fast track to stands and berths of interest.

In addition to ever enhanced and varied catering at the exhibition, Seawork's food theme continues at close of play on Thursday 12 June, when the second annual Quayside Barbecue takes place free of charge for all exhibitors. It is a thank you to the industry or its ongoing support of Seawork, giving exhibitors a chance to relax and watch the ships go past as they enjoy a beer and a burger.

Seawork is always much more than the hundreds of exhibitors in the hall and on the quayside plus the many and varied workboats available for inspection and trial from the floating pontoon. With exhibition space being utilised to full capacity, the free to attend, high calibre Seawork Conference which runs alongside the exhibition has been relocated to a new Conference Centre beyond a dividing wall which puts it into a quieter zone where the three conference suites will be undisturbed by the hubbub of the show whilst still conveniently adjacent to it. A bar close at hand will provide a welcoming space in which to relax between sessions. the conference programme includes a session on marine renewable energy and climate change, a full day session hosted by New Civil Engineer magazine, and a half day conference hosted by the MCA.

Another Seawork innovation sees the return of the UK Ministry of Defence team responsible for the procurement of boats and equipment, who will provide a briefing update on opportunities for industry. They will be on the DMA stand throughout Seawork and will also be visiting companies which have requested it. A larger contingent of influential visitors from international military and security organisations are also expected to visit Seawork 2008.

The UK Trade & Investment Inward Buyers Mission returns after a successful debut last year, with key decision makers flying into Seawork from around the world to enable exhibiting companies to forge commercial relationships at the top level with major overseas companies.

The UK Harbour Masters' Association are among the organisations holding their AGMs again at Seawork. When their official business concludes on Wednesday morning, this influential group will spend the rest of a day on which opening hours have been extended from 09:30 to 18:30 inspecting the exhibition hall and floating pontoon, with significant procurement budgets at their disposal.