METS, now universally acknowledged as the world’s leading leisure marine trade event, was first held in 1988 as a unique showcase for trade-only visitors to learn about new and proven marine products.

Growing interest
Strong interest was present from the start, with the first ever METS attracting 117 exhibitors. International interest was also strong as exhibitors came from 12 countries and the first two of the show’s trademark national pavilions – for the UK and the USA – were established.

Within five years METS had grown to 520 exhibitors, three-quarters of whom came from outside the Netherlands, and had seven further national pavilions (Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Finland, France, the Netherlands and Canada). By year ten (1997), Germany and Norway had set up pavilions and exhibitors numbered 700 (80% from overseas).

In 2002, as METS turned 15, the exhibitor level was 830 and, appropriately, there were 15 national pavilions as Turkey, Australia, New Zealand and Spain had by this time signed up. The 2002 event also saw the establishment of specialist equipment pavilions with the advent of the Marina Pavilion. In 2003, the Composite Pavilion was added and, in 2005, the SuperYacht Pavilion.

In 2007, METS attracted over 1,137 exhibitors from 39 countries.

Extra focus
While METS grew as an exhibition, it also broadened its value as an industry forum by running seminars, conferences and introducing the DAME – Design Award METS.

The DAME, now viewed as the leading competition for marine product design and innovation, was first held in 1991 and is awarded annually to the best designed product at METS. Over the years it has attracted an increasingly high level of entries making it the most prestigious and competitive award in the industry.

METS has also been the venue for leading marine conferences such as the HISWA International Yacht Design & Construction Symposium, ICOMIA’s Marine/Technology Conference, marina and composite seminars and, now, in association with its growing SuperYacht Pavilion – the Global SuperYacht Forum.

More space
AS METS has grown, space at the RAI halls, Amsterdam, has been at a premium. From 1994 onwards, METS took over the Park Hall in addition to the Delta and Holland halls to accommodate 600 plus exhibitors but the biggest change arose in 2005 when the entire event moved to the bigger Europa complex at RAI. This offered an extra 5,000 sq m of space for over 1,100 exhibitors, including some from the show’s waiting list.

Industry support
METS owes much to the ongoing support of marine industry associations around the world and, in particular our partner, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA). It is a member of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO).

Exhibitors	Visitors	Square meters

NOTE: These charts represent the even years. In some of the odd years METS was held consecutively with Europort and this would cloud the figures. To download in high resolution go to "downloads" in the menu.

Quotes

Ids Boersma, Director RAI Exhibitions:
“I love markets where ever I am in the world and if I have the chance, I try to visit a market whether it is in China, a souk in the Middle East, the Bazaar in Istanbul or the flower market in Amsterdam, I really like it. That is what I especially like about the METS, it is a true market place. All products are there and all market leaders are present. Through the shell scheme concept it truly resembles a market place. But it is not just about products and companies, it is also about people. METS is not just an exhibition it is a hub. A place where watersport professionals come together. A place where a lot business is being done and where people like to meet and greet. In that sense it is almost like one big family. If you don’t come to METS every year you are not really into this industry, you are not really part of the family”.

Irene Dros, Product Manager METS:
“For seven years I have been working on METS and every single day has been a pleasure. The professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm of the people in this industry are the solid basis for the success of METS. The whole team works very hard the entire year resulting in a 3-day feast and I hope to be a part of this for many years to come. A heartfelt thank you to all involved.”

Wim van der Loo, former Director RAI Exhibitions:
“The mutual solidarity between all parties involved in METS - MIAs, publishers, exhibitors, organisation - is unique in the exhibition world. This makes METS a product that everyone is proud of from his or her own point of view! The emphasis on products instead of corporate image is one of the success factors of METS.”

Tanja Griep, former Product Manager:
“20 years already! Time flies…… I can still remember the first METS in 1988 with 117 exhibitors and its diagonal layout in the North-East Hall. Back then we couldn’t have predicted that this number would increase tenfold in 20 years. Of course, success is always a combination of factors. Strict monitoring of the show’s concept and the admission policy for visitors have produced a high-quality event. METS is a good example of a trade show in which close cooperation with the industry has borne fruit.”