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 Corner 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.
