Five Years of Connection, Leadership and Change: Women in the Marine Industry International Returns to Metstrade

What happened next was far more powerful than I could have imagined.

Our first event brought together more than 400 women and men from 13 countries. It quickly became clear that there was a tremendous need for community, and for a safe, supportive space where people could talk openly about their experiences, challenges, opportunities and aspirations. A door had opened, and there was no going back.

One year later, Niels Klarenbeek approached me about partnering with British Marine, which had also been developing programming for women at the Southampton International Boat Show, to create an event focused on women and diversity at Metstrade. That conversation marked the beginning of a partnership that would eventually expand to include the UK-based Marine Industry News.

Together with Metstrade, we developed the first Women in the Marine Industry International panel and breakfast, held at the Metstrade show in 2022.

From that very first event, one thing was unmistakable: the conversation on stage mattered.

The panelists spoke candidly about their careers, their challenges, their successes and the people who helped shape their journeys. The audience responded with equal enthusiasm, demonstrating that these conversations were not simply relevant, they were necessary.

A post-event article in The Superyacht Times captured the spirit of the day beautifully.  “The atmosphere on stage was one of support and mutual respect for each other's struggles as well as achievements. How ironic, I thought: the speakers had nothing but praise for their personal role models without recognising that they themselves were acting as a beacon of hope for the younger women starting out, myself included.”

That observation has stayed with me.

Because ultimately, this event has never been only about the women on stage. It is about everyone in the room, those who have built careers over decades, those just beginning, those considering their next step, and those who are in a position to help someone else take theirs.

Creating a Ripple Effect

In 2025, we began thinking about how we could take the impact of Women in the Marine Industry International beyond the event itself. We wanted the conversations, connections and sense of community to create a ripple effect that reached women and girls around the world. That led to a new partnership with Room to Read, a global nonprofit dedicated to improving literacy and education for children and supporting girls in developing the skills and opportunities they need to build better futures. For many of the children Room to Read serves, access to education can be transformative, opening a window to possibilities that might otherwise remain out of reach. Perhaps that future includes becoming a leader in our industry.

Over the past two years, our community has raised more than $10,000 for Room to Read, helping provide books, resources and mentorship. This year, we have set an ambitious goal: to raise $25,000 to help fund an entire school.

We cannot do it alone.

The Women in the Marine Industry International event at Metstrade is free to attend, but we hope everyone will consider contributing to Room to Read. DONATE HERE! Every contribution, regardless of size, helps extend the reach of this community beyond our industry and around the world.

Five years of leadership and inspiration

As we look ahead to Metstrade 2026, we will celebrate the fifth anniversary of Women in the Marine Industry International, five years of exceptional female leaders, insightful conversations, new relationships and a growing global community. Over those five years, we have watched careers evolve, businesses change and new voices emerge. We have also seen the importance of mentorship, inclusion and community become increasingly recognized as essential to the future of our industry.

And the need has never been greater.

Global business is changing rapidly. Technology, economic conditions, geopolitics, workforce expectations and shifting demographics are reshaping the marine industry. To remain strong and competitive, we must continue to attract, retain and develop the talented people who will lead this industry into the future.

That will be at the heart of our 2026 conversation.

How do we attract, retain and develop the talent we need to build the next generation of marine industry leaders?

Joining us for this year's conversation are four extraordinary female leaders representing diverse sectors, experiences and career paths:

• Lauren Beckstedt, Senior Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer, Brunswick Corporation
• Paulee Day, President and Chief Executive Officer, West Marine
• Victoria Low, CEO, The Magenta Project
• Erna Rusi, CEO, Saxdor Yachts

Each brings a unique perspective, professional journey and depth of experience to the discussion. Together, they will explore the opportunities and challenges facing today's workforce, and what leaders across the industry can do to ensure that talented people have the opportunity to grow, contribute and lead.

Join us at Metstrade

The 2026 Women in the Marine Industry International event will take place on Wednesday, November 18, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. The morning will begin with a light breakfast, followed by the industry panel and networking.

The event is free, but registration is required for entry to the facility at that time. REGISTER HERE! If you have already registered for your Metstrade show ticket, you will need to register separately for the event using the link above. Please use action code MET4230 when registering.

As we celebrate five years, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our partners, Metstrade, British Marine, the Soundings Trade Only Group, Marine Industry News, and Barton Marine, whose commitment and collaboration have helped make this event possible.  Most importantly, thank you to every panelist who has shared her story, and every woman and man who has chosen to attend, participate and help build this community.

Five years ago, we opened the door. Since then, many have walked through it.  The conversations have grown. The global community has grown. And, together, we have created something that reaches far beyond a single morning at Metstrade.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 Women in the Marine Industry International fifth-anniversary event at Metstrade.