Onyx Events has been awarded a three-year contract to manage all food and beverage operations at the Southampton International Boat Show, held annually in Mayflower Park, on the UK south coast.
The agreement covers the delivery of catering and hospitality services across the duration of the event, which runs for 10 days.
The company, which is headquartered in Lymington, has worked with the Southampton International Boat Show and organiser British Marine for the past five years. Onyx says the new multi-year agreement will allow it to continue its existing role while developing the food and beverage offer further across the show site.
“Onyx has had a great five-year journey with SIBS and British Marine, helping to grow the F&B experience at the show. This new multi-year deal gives Onyx the opportunity to build on that, developing the F&B offer further and elevating the overall visitor experience,” Onyx CEO Bligh Julius tells MIN.
Onyx CEO Bligh Julius
The scope of work includes the operation of a 300-seat premium restaurant alongside a number of VIP hospitality areas. Onyx Events will also manage a programme of more than 25 independent street food vendors and operate 10 bars positioned across the site.
‘SIBS sits slightly outside our usual business model’
Beyond the Southampton International Boat Show, Onyx Events operates as an events agency delivering projects for international brands. “Onyx is an events agency that works with some of the biggest brands in the world, bringing them to life through experiential and communications-led events, brands like Google, Thule and David Lloyd,” says Julius. “You could say SIBS sits slightly outside our usual core business model, and you’d be right. But we’re a Hampshire-based events agency working on a global scale, and we genuinely love putting those same skill sets into something special on our doorstep.”
The company also has close links to the marine sector. Julius previously spent 10 years as a volunteer crew member on the Lymington lifeboat and has 15 years’ experience racing powerboats across the UK, Europe and South Africa. Production manager Jack de Vries-Weller has worked in marine operations for more than 15 years and continues to compete in UK powerboat racing.
“That passion is a big part of why Onyx cares so much about seeing SIBS grow and thrive, beyond simply delivering a commercially sound partnership with British Marine,” Julius says.
During the 10-day event, Onyx Events employs around 50 local university students and freelance crew. The Southampton International Boat Show typically attracts between 90,000 and 120,000 visitors across its run.
The Shipyard brings live music to the show every day
‘Pricing is never an easy subject’
The company says it is conscious of visitor feedback over pricing, arguing that food and beverage pricing is set against wider market conditions and comparable large-scale events.
“Pricing is never an easy subject, and Onyx approaches it very carefully, says Julius. “We always look at the closest industry comparisons, events such as Goodwood Festival and major cricket fixtures, and do our best to land below those benchmarks, while still maintaining a sensible commercial position.
“This will always be a sensitive topic, but as a family business that wants to see the marine industry grow and thrive, Onyx will always go the extra mile to create a strong F&B experience and to manage customer pricing as responsibly as we can. We know we won’t please everyone but we do take it seriously, and we do our best.”
Duck Shed, one of the food offerings at SIBS
Onyx Events also operates its own hospitality venue in Lymington and works with independent traders across the show site.
“Onyx runs and operates The B-Bar at Berthon Marina in Lymington, so we understand hospitality from the inside,” says Julius. “You don’t have to look far to see how much pubs and restaurants are struggling right now, and the margins across the sector are genuinely under pressure.
“We work closely with independent local food traders, many of whom are owner-operators. We care deeply about quality, and quality does come at a cost. Yes, it would be possible to bring in cheaper food and drink options, but that wouldn’t reflect the standard of the show or the experience we want guests to have.”
Early-bird tickets and top brands signal strong start to Southampton Boat Show 2026
No single-use sets at SIBS
Sustainability and waste reduction are always a concern for large events – and the firm says this forms part of the operational approach to the temporary food and beverage infrastructure.
“Onyx does not build single-use sets,” says Julius. “Through our long-standing relationship with SIBS, we’ve invested in infrastructure designed to last, assets that are stored locally in Lymington at our HQ and reused year-on-year to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
“We also partner with COMAX to deliver practical, high-quality solutions that prioritise sustainability, using responsible materials and options that reduce environmental impact without compromising on function or guest experience.”
The 57th edition of the Southampton International Boat Show is set to take place from 18 to 27 September 2026. Early-bird ticket sales are now live, priced from £13.