Amsterdam, 7 September 2023 – RAI Amsterdam will this year play host to a unique edition of METSTRADE’s 35th anniversary, providing significant opportunities for the world’s leading leisure marine equipment manufacturers and buyers to promote and progress key subjects like sustainability, diversity, design and innovation.
“Throughout its history, METSTRADE has been at the forefront of the key leisure marine issues of the day”, says METSTRADE director Niels Klarenbeek. For this 35th anniversary edition we are adding a record number of new initiatives including the Next Generation Propulsion Zone and Foiling Technology Pavilion and theatre. We are also recognising the importance of people, talent, and entrepreneurialism by launching the new Start-Up Pavilion and pitching event. METSTRADE’s long-standing and much appreciated Young Professionals Club will feature a Career Zone with professional advisors. We’ll also host the prestigious Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image Award competition for the first time, inspiring us all with the power and beauty of the sector we work in.”
Revolutionising the future of the superyacht sector with Sanlorenzo’s Massimo Perotti
Several headline features and presentations at METSTRADE 2023 will firmly demonstrate how the environmental challenge has shifted from debating what is needed to executing change today. Massimo Perotti, the much-respected CEO of Italian superyacht builder Sanlorenzo, will set the scene right from the outset during his keynote speech at this year’s Breakfast Briefing, jointly hosted by METSTRADE and ICOMIA. This committed sustainability advocate and industry leader will provide much anticipated insights into how the leisure marine sector can transition to carbon neutrality.
Building the sustainability agenda: DAME Design Awards, Next Generation Propulsion Zone & Foiling Technology Pavilion
Massimo Perotti’s presentation will be immediately followed by the eagerly awaited unveiling of the winners for the prestigious 2023 DAME Design Awards. This is the second year that entries have been submitted to greater scrutiny for sustainable design. Also look out for an imminent announcement on a dedicated DAME Design Awards website and a major change to the competition categories reflecting the rapidly changing arena of marine equipment design in response to the needs of future-facing customers. You can view all successful DAME nominees in Hall 13, right at the heart of the showfloor.
Right alongside the DAME display, visitors can also explore the new Next Generation Propulsion Zone. This area will showcase innovation in electric and hybrid engines, as well as alternative fuels, zero-emission solutions, and other advancements that promote next generation propulsion, all carefully curated by an expert panel.
METSTRADE is also bringing a completely fresh sector into play this year for the first time with the launch of the Foiling Technology Pavilion (FTP) and theatre. Taking advantage of the show’s expansion into RAI Amsterdam’s Hall 7, the FTP will run in partnership with The Foiling Organization – the experts who are responsible for Foiling Week and the Foiling Awards. Visitors will be able to learn first-hand how foil manufacturers and their collaborative mechanical and electronic equipment suppliers are moving the energy saving potential of foiling from exotic to mainstream applications.
World Sailing Sustainability Challenge
Steering the course towards a greener, more responsible future for the sport we all cherish, METSTRADE is thrilled to announce a pioneering collaboration with World Sailing. World Sailing and World Sailing Trust are collaborating to set up an Equipment Recycling Hub for common but difficult to recycle sailing equipment at the 2023 Allianz Sailing World Championships which took place in the Netherlands this August. Following these Championships, the collected items will be showcased at METSTRADE’s Construction Material Pavilion to bring the issues around the recyclability of sailing equipment to the attention of the wider marine industry.
Empowering Entrepreneurs, Igniting Success
Of course, no products could be innovated and built without skilled people and entrepreneurial pioneering companies to create them. Hall 7 will also host a Start-Up Pavilion in collaboration with global start-up hub Yachting Ventures. The Pavilion will feature 15 early-stage companies who have been carefully vetted. Visitors will be able to meet with then there to view their pioneering products, or across at the METSTRADE Theatre in Hall 13 where they will be pitching against each other for investment cash.
Navigating Success Together: Women in the Marine Industry International Breakfast
A busy METSTRADE Theatre programme focused on emerging technologies, sustainability and diversity will include the welcome return of one of last year’s standout moments – the Women in the Marine Industry International panel event and networking breakfast, hosted by British Marine, Marine Industry News and Soundings Trade Only.
Strengthened Focus on Young Professionals at YPC and Career Corner
METSTRADE also supports and encourages all marine professionals aged under 35 through the Young Professionals Club (YPC) with many taking advantage of a dedicated hub and programme of events each year. For 2023, those enjoying the networking and facilities of the lounge will additionally benefit from the METSTRADE Career Corner. Professional advisors from recruitment specialist, Marine Resources will be on hand to offer career coaching sessions.
Crafting Excellence at the 2023 Boat Builder Awards
There’s a strong people and skills theme running through this year’s IBI METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement, held in partnership with Raymarine. People and Skills Development, Rising Star and Lifetime Achievement are among a record 11 categories due to be announced at a spectacular four elements-themed gala dinner hosted within Amsterdam’s National Maritime Museum on Thursday evening, 16 November.
Full information on all activities can be viewed at https://www.metstrade.com/conferences-and-stages
Around the halls at METSTRADE
METSTRADE is expanding again into a total of 11 halls for 2023. The new addition of Croatia and welcome post pandemic return of China means that there will be a record breaking 28 national pavilions to explore this year, alongside the familiar Super Yacht Pavilion (SYP), Marina Yacht Pavilion (MYP), Construction Material Pavilion (CMP) and the new Foiling Technology Pavilion (FTP). Visitors are expected from 116 different countries.
Those looking for inspiration will be able to view the top 20 shortlisted images of this year’s 14th Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award, cast their vote in a Delegates award and see the winner for the first time ever at METSTRADE on Thursday 16 November.
Networking opportunities will abound, including METSTRADE’s famous Happy Hour on the first evening which is planned to be greater than ever, and the popular national trade association receptions held around the show floor towards the end of Thursday’s show hours.
Save the date and make your plans
METSTRADE will this year run from Wednesday 15 November to Friday 17 November, a one-off adjustment to the usual show days, allowing many exhibitors and visitors to take advantage of the Friday finish by extending their stay over the weekend to relax in our historic maritime city of Amsterdam.
See www.metstrade.com/registration for visitor details – registration is open. Please visit www.metstrade.com/exhibiting to learn about exhibiting at METSTRADE.
