Welcome to Stuart’s Blog @ Shield, where our valued customers and followers can find out all that is happening in the world of Shield Total Insurance and the outdoor leisure world through the eyes of our very own Stuart Craig.

Who’s Stuart?
Stuart has 27 years experience of working in the outdoor leisure industry as a magazine editor for 5 of the leading motorhome and caravan titles, the market’s biggest website and as marketing manager for the UK’s largest family owned motorhome and caravan dealer.  He has loads of insurance experience too having worked for Shield and our sister brand Crusader for many years.

The Blog

As the blog grows in size it will become a great place to find all kinds of info. Please feel free to comment on anything that’s written. You will also be able to add bookmarks to us from your favourite websites.

Getting ready for Birmingham

I’m busy getting my stuff together for the visit to the NEC in Birmingham for the International Caravan & Motorhome 2009. This runs from 13th-18th October and is an important week for me to visit all of the companies who work with Shield and help to promote our insurances. It’s also a great place to view the latest caravans, motorhomes and a limited selection of holiday homes and if you are in the market for a new model, get your order in for Spring 2010 delivery.

Don’t forget to buy your tickets in advance to save £2 per day or the Freedom Pass at £22 all week is my choice. Take the kids – they’re FREE.

After the show I’ll be reporting back on what I’ve seen that interested me, so apologies if I’m offline for a bit, but ahead of a visit, take a look at what’s hot:

• Shop & Drop – accessory drop off point in Hall 9. Useful for when the water carriers, brushes and brochures get too heavy
• New Bailey Pegasus – Stand 18-15. A new caravan from Bailey always attracts attention
• Tyre sealant – those clever blokes from Phantom offer a new way to protect your car, caravan or motorhome and we’ll give you a discount on your insurance for using too. Stand 18-31.
• Autocruise – brand new stylish motorhomes from the kings of van conversions. Stand 6-15.
• Island Plastics R25 – check out the new motorhome from MMM Magazine’s Motorhome Manufacturer of the Year. Stand 10-15
• Finally a new caravan manufacturer in the depths of a recession is going to get a lot of media attention, but is it any good? Visit 18-29 for a look at the Stealth tourer.

More from me after the show. I’m there all week – stop me for a chat. Don’t leave any valuables on display in the car park – especially if you are taking a motorhome to park.