Final details of the highly incisive line-up for this year’s The Superyacht Forum (18-19 November at RAI Amsterdam) have now been unveiled, with invaluable inspiration and essential knowledge for future business planning at the core. This high value programme features a distinguished line-up of industry experts, including opening headliners Giovanni Vitelli of Azimut|Benetti Group and Rose Damen of Damen Yachting who will share a stage for the first time to discuss their visions of the future.
More than 600 sector professionals from all the key names in the industry will gather in Amsterdam as they ‘Think Ahead’ toward key topics of tomorrow across three main themes – Sustainability, Enhancing our Industry and Emerging Technologies. Now closely integrated under the same organisation as METSTRADE’s adjacent SuperYacht Pavilion, this year’s The Superyacht Forum (TSF) is creating a truly global epicentre for the superyacht sector. It offers an unrivalled platform for collaboration and forward thinking as the sector prepares to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Don’t miss the opportunity
The Superyacht Forum takes place at RAI Amsterdam on 18-19 November 2024. It runs from 09:00-18:00 each day with a networking drinks evening on the Monday and concludes with an optional VIP dinner on the Tuesday. In addition to a packed content programme, both days will offer generous networking time to make valuable new contacts and catch up with industry colleagues.
The Superyacht Forum is a much sought after event, so early ordering of tickets is advised. Options for attending and registration can be accessed here – www.metstrade.com/the-superyacht-forum/registration
Here is a quick summary of the content highlights:
Sustainability
The Superyacht Forum will examine the practicalities of non-fossil fuel options for superyachts and consider whether the industry itself should drive emission standards rather than waiting for legislation. It will take a close look at work already underway to create a roadmap that will drive a regenerative superyacht sector by 2050. Broadening horizons to encompass the human elements of sustainability, TSF workshops will explore the vital topic of mental wellness in yachting and consider how to recruit and retain the very best talent.
Enhancing our Industry
Responding to headline events, The Superyacht Forum will reflect on recent superyacht incidents and the lessons that can be learned to improve safety and resilience. Expertise from the cruise line, business aviation and reputation management sectors will be brought to bear as delegates learn how to manage the public face of superyachting. The content programme will also explore how to elevate standards in yacht management improve onshore and onboard leadership skills, perform due diligence on refit shipyards and expand the Yacht Owner’s Representative Program beyond new builds to the refit market.
Emerging Technologies
The Superyacht Forum will feature many of the key emerging technologies in its programme and explore the wider context around them. Vital research on the newest generation of ultra-high-net-worth individuals will inform a presentation on exactly what future superyacht owners will want from their vessels, and why. A workshop featuring practical demonstrations will show how virtual reality is providing immersive rich experiences in maritime education. We’ll explore how strategic mergers and acquisitions can foster innovation, discover ways in which conventional approaches to paint coatings can be challenged and showcase the latest developments with the Water Revolution Foundation’s Yacht Environment Transparency Index (YETI) benchmarking system.
TSF delegates can additionally opt to tour the MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands) advanced Seven Oceans Simulator centre (SOSc) on Wednesday 20 November to see how ships can be experienced and improved even before they are built.
View the full TSF programme, including details of panellists and speakers, here – www.metstrade.com/the-superyacht-forum/programme – or read on to see the topics and speakers.
Programme topics and speakers
Visions for the future – Giovanna Vitelli (AzimutIBenetti Group) and Rose Damen (Damen Yachting) – moderated by Martin Redmayne (The Superyacht Group)
Introducing YETI: software & energy labels – Enrico Della Valentina (Marin), Matteo Magherini (RINA) and Edmund Beckett (Burgess) – moderated by Hanna Dabrowska (Water Revolution Foundation)
How do we engage, inspire & retain superyacht talent? – Karen Passman (IAMI), Nicola Morgan (Wilsonhalligan), John Wyborn (Bluewater), Marianne Danissen and Dale Fisher (Proteus Professionals)
Join the yacht owners representatives register for refits – Hein Velema (YORP), Rob Papworth (MB92), Patrick Martin (Owners Rep), Andrea Carlevaris (Owners Rep) – moderated by Ken Hickling (Journalist)
Developing the service industry in Saudi and the Middle East
How to make a Due Diligence on a Refit Shipyard? – Rob Papworth (MB92), Dean Smith (Hampshire Marine), Anthony Galea (AG Advisory), Alberto Perrone (Lürssen) and Michelle van der Merwe (Pantaenius)
Virtual Reality: The Future of Maritime Education – Andy Parkin (KILO), Tim Powell-Jones (MAKE REAL), Mez Hunter (Chief Officer), Henriette Weerstand and Greg Beach
Navigating an industry to Mental Wellness in Yachting – Melanie White (Seas the mind), Karine Rayson (The Crew Coach), Emma Baggett (Crew Mentor) and Eva Lianne Veldkamp (evalianne.com)
Managing the reputation of our industry. What can we learn from others? – Roberto Martinoli (Silverseas), Richard Kanareck (PR consultant) and Robert Baltus (European Business Aviation Association) – moderated by Farouk Nefzi (Feadship / Superyacht Life Foundation)
Charting a Course for a Sustainable Future: The 2050 Superyacht Roadmap – Vienna Eleuteri (Water Revolution Foundation), Aino Grapin (Winch), Anders Kurten (Fraser), Roderick de Vries (Feadship) and Ferdinando Pilli (Lusben), moderated by Martin Redmayne (The Superyacht Group)
Superyacht Emission standards: A Sustainable Future – Giedo Loeff (Feadship), Engel-Jan de Boer (Lloyds) and Julian Smith (Cayman Islands Ship Register) – moderated by Lorenzo Pollicardo (SYBAss)
Staying Ahead of the Curve: Essential Strategies for Yacht Operations – Malcome Jacotine, Peter Edwards (Voyonic), Russell Stockil (Yachtzoo), Philip Naylor (Burgess) and Mark Kruidenier (DNV)
Think ahead with Yacht Coatings – Richard Jennings (AkzoNobel) and Taylan Salgur (Turquoise Yachts)
One (non fossil fuel) doesn’t Fit All: A Hybrid Approach for Superyacht Fuels – Tore Longva (DNV), Erik Hofmeester (NAV-Tech) and Lennart Pundt (Lürssen)
Enhancing the industry, fostering Excellence in the Superyacht Industry – Karine Rayson (The Crew Coach), Andrew Roch (Crew Academy), Joey Meen (IAMI) and Jo Assael (British Superyacht)
The Trillion-Dollar Shift: What the Next Generation of Superyacht Owners Wants and How to Reach Them – Professor Dr Phil Klaus (IUM) and Dr Annalisa Tarquini-Poli (IUM) – Dilan Sarac (Moderator)
Yacht incidents: What can we learn? – Paul Shepherd (CHIRP), Peter Southgate (Cayman Islands Ship Register), Snorre Halvorsen (Norwegian Hull Club) and Martin Richter (DNV)
M&A in the Superyacht Industry: A Strategic Imperative for Forward-Thinking Investors – Tomasso Nastasi (Deloitte) and Bruno Barago (Wise Equity) – moderated by Hein Velema
You can read full descriptions of each topic and see timings here – www.metstrade.com/the-superyacht-forum/programme.
Supporting partners
The Superyacht Forum would not happen without support from key partners who operate across the sector, including:
Founding partner – The Superyacht Group
Headline partners – AkzoNobel, DNV, Lürssen, MTU Solutions and Sindalah
Technical partners – Superyacht Times, Volvo Penta and YachtEye
Service partners – Proteus Professionals
Dinner partners – Awlgrip and Volvo Penta
Media partners – The Superyacht Group, BOAT International and Superyacht Times
You can read more about our partners here – www.metstrade.com/the-superyacht-forum/partners
