Yacht Shows: Why they’re more than just boats
Two of our favourite words to see on the Sealogical Google calendar are “Yacht Show” and it’s easy to understand why. A few days away from the office, checking out the latest in superyacht design and technology, getting to see some of the biggest and most luxurious yachts in the world – up close… what’s not to love? Of course, it’s also pretty full on and hard work, but we wouldn’t miss it for the world. Here’s why…
Connecting and Reconnecting
Given that the yacht industry operates across time zones and international borders, our captains, clients, colleagues and friends are literally oceans apart. So, one of the best things about the various yacht shows is the chance to meet up with them and catch up properly, rather than by email, online messages, or conference call.
Usually, we do most of the business side of things from a distance. It seems somehow appropriate really; when it comes to the Sealogical yacht management system, the magic mostly happens remotely. But, in the digital world we now live and work in, there’s still nothing better than getting together over a coffee, or glass of something and properly connecting with people.
Every yacht show is bursting with people who are all interested in the same thing. Whether they’re looking to supply, sell, buy or even just love looking at yachts. It’s a great place to make new contacts and to reconnect with people you may have worked with for months or years, but rarely get to see.
Thijs Van Dooren, our Sealogical Crew Managing Director sums it up, “When visiting shows, we always look forward to meeting old friends, as well as introducing ourselves and our intern programme to others who are also trying to bring change and innovation to the yachting industry.”
The Yachts
Okay, it seems a bit obvious and perhaps unnecessary to specifically mention the yachts, as they’re the whole point of the shows, right? The thing is, each show has a different collection of vessels from around the world and seeing them IRL is so much better than an online 360 degree tour.
Some shows have more yachts than others. Most will have more than a hundred yachts of varying sizes, whilst some will boast five or six hundred. Meanwhile, the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show holds the title of being the biggest, with well over a thousand.
It will never be possible to see all of the yachts on display. Time is limited and there are lots of other things to do, but it’s an essential part of attending a yacht show. Make sure you don’t miss out.
Location, Location, Location
Yacht shows are held in some wonderful places around the globe; Monaco, Cannes, Dubai, Singapore, Barcelona… They’re all great places to visit, even when the yacht show isn’t happening.
Around the periphery of the show, you’ll find some brilliant, locally-inspired events, with wonderful food, fantastic brands and the chance to experience a bit of the local culture. It’s well worth spreading your wings and heading out to take a look.
Opportunities for Business and Networking
If you’re heading to a yacht show for business, there are some great opportunities. Most shows have hundreds of exhibitors and you’ll find some of the biggest names in the industry represented and on display. Getting around the stalls is great; you’ll meet a lot of interesting people and collect many business cards. Do remember though, a lot of valuable networking is also done in the social spaces and parties.
Presentations and panel discussions are also excellent places for building networks. It’s always a good idea to read the programme of events and see which will be the most useful, as time is limited and there will always be more to see than you can squeeze in.
Peel Taggart, Sealogical CEO, is a veteran of yacht shows. His tip is to work it as you would any business conference. “Yes, yacht shows have a lot of opportunities to experience the more enjoyable aspects of the yacht industry, but the value of the networking opportunities they offer cannot be underestimated. It’s an unmissable chance to talk face to face and build relationships with others working in the industry.”
Cars and Toys
Yacht shows often feature luxury cars, which are available for test drive. Top marques such as Lamborghini, Bentley and Rolls Royce are lined up quayside to tempt you.
We also enjoy checking out the latest in yacht toys and always set some time aside to see what the latest must-have new gadgets have to offer.
So, what are you waiting for?
If you are interested in yachts, either because you work in the industry, already own one or are a potential buyer, you should definitely spend some time visiting at least one of the yacht shows each year. There’s no better way to find inspiration and a reminder – if you ever need one – of why there’s nothing that compares with the yacht industry.