Expectations are high for the world’s largest trade exhibition of leisure marine equipment, materials and systems, with strong exhibitor numbers, a dynamic event programme, and highly relevant content. The show caters to all audiences — from marina builders to equipment companies and superyacht professionals and will take place at RAI Amsterdam from 19-21 November.
“I’m pleased to announce visitor registration is now open as we prepare to greet the industry’s most significant annual gathering of global leisure marine professionals from more than 130 countries,” states Niels Klarenbeek, director of METSTRADE. “Feedback consistently informs us that participants heavily rely upon METSTRADE as their pivotal annual professional platform to network, research, create business opportunities and source solutions. We take those expectations seriously. Significant effort has once again been placed on ensuring the best experience on the show floors across 11 halls, building on last year’s expanded set of dedicated pavilions to host more than 1,500 exhibitors from across the global leisure marine equipment sector.”
“We’ve put together an outstanding line-up, with an extensive carefully curated programme of presentations, features and discussions, centred around highly relevant industry themes: emerging technologies, sustainability, and accessibility and inclusion.”
“METSTRADE’s complementary programme of events is also expanding. Our acquisition of The Superyacht Forum earlier this year synergistically integrates this already highly successful event into the SuperYacht Pavilion and METSTRADE. Together they form an unrivalled epicentre for the global superyacht industry. We will also welcome the Yacht Racing Forum to Amsterdam for the first time, bringing additional impetus and engagement from this important cutting-edge sector of the marine leisure industry.”
Visitor registration now open
METSTRADE 2024 is back on its usual Tuesday to Thursday schedule this year and will run from 19-21 November. Visitor registration is now open – see metstrade.com/registration. Additional information on attendance requirements for specific activities during the week can be found at the foot of this release.
The following information provides selected highlights of the programme – for full information see metstrade.com/programme.
Emerging Technologies
Thousands of breakthrough developments have benefited from a METSTRADE launch pad over its 36-year history. In 2024 the show will continue to serve as a perfect platform to unveil new products and learn about new technologies that promise to be transformative.
The DAME Design Awards promotes excellent design in all disciplines. The list of past winners and nominees reads like a hall of fame of forward-thinking equipment manufacturers who have pushed our industry forwards over the past three decades. This year’s winners will be announced at the METSTRADE ICOMIA Breakfast Briefing on 19 November. You can see all nominee entries on the DAME Design Awards display in hall 13.
Foiling is enjoying an even higher profile this year thanks to the current breed of impressively efficient America’s Cup yachts and hydrogen-powered chase boats. The Foiling Technology Pavilion, organised in association with the Foiling Organization, provides a unique opportunity for specialists in this field to exhibit their capabilities and share specialist technical knowledge with a broader audience. Interactive presentations will cover latest innovations, digital transformation and foiling’s role within sustainability strategies.
The 10th anniversary Boat Builder Awards, held in collaboration with IBI and headline sponsor Raymarine, celebrates the business of technical improvement in the yacht building sector as well as the skill and dedication of individuals and teams. Winners will be displayed in hall 13 following a spectacular evening with leading lights of the boat and yacht building sectors within the historic courtyard of Amsterdam’s National Maritime Museum on Wednesday 20 November.
The Next Generation Propulsion Zone will highlight the latest advancements in electric propulsion, hybrid technology, hydrogen, alternative fuels, and battery systems. Daily panel sessions on the adjacent METSTRADE Theatre will provide insightful discussions from subject matter experts.
Sustainability
METSTRADE is an established facilitator of debate around the key environmental issues for the leisure marine sector. In 2024 you can expect sustainability to be a key subject with dedicated sessions and other touch points throughout much of the content.
The METSTRADE Theatre will host several key presentations with sustainability themes including an update session from ICOMIA on the actions flowing out of its Propelling Our Future research.
Proving the authenticity of environmental claims is an emerging area of demand from yacht builders. More equipment manufacturers are moving to adopt independently verified life cycle assessment for their products, as will be seen on this year’s expanded Superyacht Sustainability Route around exhibitors listed on the Water Revolution Foundation’s Hub of Verified Solutions.
Held in conjunction with World Sailing and World Sailing Trust, the Equipment Recyclability Hub is making its follow-up appearance at METSTRADE, alongside a round table exploring on next steps for initiatives that encourage second use and easier recycling pathways for used yachting equipment.
Accessibility and Inclusion
The urgency to retain and inspire young professionals within the industry is more palpable than ever, as companies increasingly recognise the competitive landscape for attracting qualified talent. The Young Professionals Club & Career Zone, open to all show participants under the age of 35, has been far-sighted initiative of METSTRADE for many years to engage, connect and encourage our future talent pool. Now run in partnership with Marine Resources, the Young Professionals Club & Career Zone continues to enjoy its own dedicated networking lounge and LinkedIn group, with the additions of meet and greet workshops and personalised one-to-one coaching. New for this year is an exciting new collaboration with Dutch superyacht builder Feadship. Recruiters from the company will be present at the lounge throughout the show to engage with YPC members and will select 15 of those young professional visitors to tour its Amsterdam shipyard on 22 November.
Following a highly successful launch last year the Start-Up Pavilion, in association with Yachting Ventures, returns with 15 first-time entrants to the marine equipment scene. Expect a truly eclectic mix of new ideas to consider – from innovative fenders and hydrogen-powered boats to trackers, wooden safety drones and emergency balloons to name just a few. The METSTRADE Theatre will feature presentations on startup insights, female founders and securing investment, as well as an intriguing startup pitch event on 21 November. The winner will receive support to quickly accelerate their business and a stand at METSTRADE 2025. You can visit last year’s winner, VoltSafe, in the Canadian Pavilion on stand 01.717.
The Women in Marine Industry Event was first convened by METSTRADE by Soundings Trade Only, METSTRADE, British Marine, and Marine Industry News in 2022 to help women achieve their dreams and goals and provide a place and time to connect. Its popularity has soared with more than 200 women and men attending last year. The 2024 edition will run from 0830-1030 on 20 November with the theme Visions of the Future: The Impact of Technology, AI and People on the Future of Work. The speaker lineup for this year’s event was announced this week (see metstrade.com/theatres-and-specials/women-in-marine), and it promises to be an exceptional discussion and networking session, packed with insights.
America’s Cup team New York Yacht Club American Magic is a METSTRADE Partner for 2024 and we’ve been sharing insights from this highly performing organisation throughout the year. Skipper and President of Operations Terry Hutchinson will visit the show on 19 November to provide the METSTRADE ICOMIA Breakfast Briefing, address the METSTRADE Theatre audience and meet members of the Young Professionals Club. Expect him to explain the initiatives his team has put in place to encourage the next generations into sailing and the marine industry as a career.
Each year, all DAME Design Awards entrants pay a fee to submit their products which is donated directly to a charitable cause chosen by the METSTRADE Exhibition Committee from a list of applications. The choice for 2024 is SailWise – an organisation based in the Netherlands that provides active multi-day water sports activities for those with disabilities from across Europe. The donation will be presented at the METSTRADE ICOMIA Breakfast Briefing.
The Superyacht Forum joins METSTRADE
The Superyacht Forum (TSF) will be held at its familiar home at RAI Amsterdam on 18-19 November. It marks the first edition under the organisation of the venue, enabling closer alignment with METSTRADE’s adjacent SuperYacht Pavilion and its three halls of global specialist manufacturers and suppliers. The programme has been specially developed for the industry by those within it, through a collaborative effort of key partners who sit on METSTRADE’s Superyacht Content Board.
The benefits of this enhanced format include exclusive opportunities for delegates and exhibitors to network on Monday 18 November, and fully co-ordinated content across METSTRADE and TSF. More than 600 leading industry professionals will ‘Think Ahead’ toward key issues of tomorrow across three streams – Emerging Technologies, Sustainability and Enhancing Our Industry. A select group of delegates can register in advance for access to MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands) in the city of Wageningen and its advanced Seven Oceans Simulator centre on Wednesday 20 November.
The Superyacht Forum (TSF), supported by headline partners Akzo Nobel/Awlgrip, DNV, Lürssen, MTU Rolls Royce and Neom/Sindalah. See our recent press announcement for further details – metstrade.com/registration
Partner events
The METSTRADE audience will be further strengthened by drawing delegates into an impressive portfolio of key partner events running in parallel with the show at RAI Amsterdam.
New for this year is the Yacht Racing Forum. This leading annual business to business conference for sailing and yacht racing will run from 20-22 November. Six content streams cover marketing, sponsorship and media, sports governance and management, risk management and safety, the state of sailing as a sport, the top end of the sport and a design and technology symposium.
The 28th HISWA Symposium is the world’s longest-running conference on yacht design and yacht construction. Topics will include machine learning applied to the marine industry, the potential for nuclear-powered superyachts and sustainable production of aluminium catamarans. Delegates will meet on the afternoon of 19 November and morning of 20 November.
On 21 November professionals will gather in the METSTRADE Marina & Yard Pavilion to explore latest developments within the annual HISWA MARINA Symposium.
The Royal Dutch Society of Marine Engineers (KNVTS) and Royal Institute of Engineers (KIVI) jointly host a mini symposium entitled Fit to Refit – How to Futureproof the design of Superyachts on 21 November at 16:00 with a networking dinner to follow.
Finally, the National Marine Electronics Association is once again providing its popular NMEA 2000 courses at RAI Amsterdam either side of METSTRADE with the basic module on 18 November and advanced module on 22 November. NMEA will also host an open session within METSTRADE on 20 November.
Registration and event access
METSTRADE registration is open only to trade visitors aged 18 and over. Registration is free up to and including 12 November 2024; thereafter an online registration fee of € 70.00 (ex VAT) will be charged unless invited by an exhibitor. Register here metstrade.com/registration
METSTRADE Theatre access is free to all METSTRADE attendees.
Participation in the DAME Design Awards is open to all METSTRADE exhibitors who have qualifying products until 16 September 2024. See here for more details – damedesignawards.com/submit-your-innovation. Winners will be announced at the METSTRADE ICOMIA Breakfast Briefing on 19 November.
The METSTRADE ICOMIA Breakfast Briefing is open at to all METSTRADE exhibitors, members of METSTRADE’s Young Professionals Club, press and VIP guests.
Registration is required for the Women in the Marine International event – further details here – metstrade.com/theatres-and-specials/women-in-marine. Join the LinkedIn group here linkedin.com/company/women-in-the-marine-industry/
Boat Builder Awards nominations are free and open to any qualifying company or individual. Entries close 27 September 2024 – enter here ibinews.com/bba2024/enter-now. Tickets to attend the awards dinner with its excellent networking opportunities can be obtained here ibinews.com/bba2024/tickets
All participants under 35 can register for free at the Young Professionals Club & Career Zone. Join the LinkedIn group at linkedin.com/groups/12717817/
The Superyacht Forum (18-19 November 2024) is a paid event – see metstrade.com/the-superyacht-forum/registration to register.
Attendance at all partner events also require registration as follows:
- The Yacht Racing Forum – yachtracingforum.com/forum
- Hiswa Symposium – hiswasymposium.com
- NMEA 2000 training – nmea.weblinkconnect.com/events
- KNVTS and KIVI mini symposium – kivi.nl/afdelingen/maritieme-techniek/activiteiten/activiteit/mini-symposium-metstrade-2024
