Clear standards are increasingly seen as the foundation for foiling’s growth, affecting safety, insurance, and credibility. Classification societies, international marine bodies, and insurers will debate how certification can open markets and build trust with clients, while also raising questions about cost and flexibility. For builders and service providers, the discussion highlights how standards could shape competitiveness in the near future.

Moderator: Luca Rizzotti, Magnus Wikander, Kristoffer Uulas, Luigi Francesco Minerva, Philip  Easthill, Arnaud CACQUEVEL

Foiling certification & standards: Building trust and market access

With a background from DNV Kristoffer is now leading the compliance work at Candela

Director of Quality and Compliance

Sylvie Ernoult – Show Director, Cannes Yachting Festival Celebrating her final year leading one of the world’s premier yachting showcases, Sylvie has shaped the international stage for luxury and performance brands.

Show Director

Thins 30 years extrem sailor, thins 2003 IMOCA Open60 Skipper, two times Vendee Globe, several more extrem sailing projects and thins 2009 company owner to develop composite materials which are fully sustainable and recyclabel.

With a career built at the intersection of technical expertise and commercial leadership, Philip Aikenhead has spent more than a decade helping companies push the boundaries of advanced composite construction. As Gurit’s Head of Sales for EMEA, he leads regional growth and guides customers through complex technical challenges.
His background ranges from managing marine sector sales and advising on composite applications to building components for elite racing teams. This blend of practical, hands-on experience and strategic sales leadership gives Philip a unique perspective on both the technical and business sides of the industry.

Head of Sales

Tijmen Hennekes is a project manager specialising in sustainable forest management, responsible procurement, and resource efficiency. His work centres on helping businesses strengthen performance and resilience through more sustainable and transparent timber supply chains. With experience across tropical forest regions and international trade, Tijmen brings a balanced understanding of how environmental and commercial objectives can reinforce one another.
In the superyacht industry, these insights are increasingly relevant. Tijmen explores how shipyards, designers, and owners can make informed material choices that support credible sustainability goals while maintaining the craftsmanship and quality the sector is known for.
His approach is practical and collaborative, encouraging dialogue between industries that share a stake in responsible resource use. By connecting forest management realities with business strategy, Tijmen highlights how sustainability can enhance trust, reduce risk, and create long-term value across global supply chains.

Project Manager Tropical Forests

With over 25 years of experience managing luxury yachts, supporting new-build projects, and overseeing procurement and operations for UHNW families, Katy Jeffcoate has seen how fragmented systems and lost information make managing inventories inefficient, costly, and increasingly complex. That experience led her to start building IntusHQ to address a problem she knew needed solving.
As IntusHQ evolves, it is clear that the global transfer of wealth and the rise of tech-native family offices are reshaping expectations. Katy recognised the need for a smarter, more connected way to manage inventory, whether across estates and yachts or within personal collections of art, cars, or jewellery. IntusHQ is being built to meet that need, providing clarity and control for families, collectors, and their teams as they manage assets of every scale.

Founder of IntusHQ

Aaron Porter is the editor of Professional BoatBuilder magazine produced by IBEX in Brooklin, Maine. He worked as a professional sailor, rigger, and newspaper journalist before joining the ProBoat editorial team in 2005. He has served on the ABYC board and advisory committees for boatbuilding industry training and education programs and is a regular host and moderator for educational seminars at IBEX and Metstrade.

Editor

Ellen Bradley serves as Chief Brand Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the leading trade group for recreational boat, marine engine and accessory manufacturers in the U.S. who drive more than $230 billion in annual economic impact and support an estimated 100 million Americans who go boating each year.
 Ellen is responsible for the NMMA brand, deploying marketing and communications strategies that continuously elevate the association’s voice and reputation as the leader in connecting the recreational boating industry with policy makers, boating consumers and stakeholders.
 Ellen oversees NMMA’s market expansion work through Discover Boating, helping welcome more people to enjoy the benefits of life on the water and fueling a commitment for doing so in an increasingly sustainable way. Recently, Ellen led the team in revitalizing the industry’s Discover Boating brand with a new visual identity and omni-channel strategy, resulting in the launch of the successful “See You Out Here” campaign, attracting more than 6 million next generation and current boaters to the Discover Boating community and connecting nearly 2 million of them with boat manufacturers and dealers to explore boat ownership. In under two years, the new strategy resulted in Discover Boating moving from a $6-7 million six-month marketing campaign to a year-round brand experience valued at nearly $30 million. In 2024, Ellen and her team were the architects behind the global marine industry’s Propelling Our Future education campaign on behalf of more than 50 marine industry trade associations worldwide. The campaign harmonized global boating industry stakeholders, bringing one voice and successfully educating policy makers and boating consumers on the portfolio of propulsion technologies shaping the industry’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.
 Additionally, Ellen leads NMMA Business Intelligence, the association’s strategic data science and research that powers the industry’s most comprehensive insights. As the hub for industry, consumer and economic data and trends, NMMA Business Intelligence shapes some of the most important decisions in recreational boating. Prior to becoming Chief Brand Officer, Ellen rose within NMMA from Vice President of Marketing Communications to Chief Communications Officer. Ellen took on these roles after joining NMMA from Harpo, Inc., where she drove communications for Oprah Winfrey’s entertainment properties and foundation. Earlier in her career she held strategic communications and brand marketing positions on both the agency and client-side including representing entertainment and consumer brands, government agencies, and trade associations spanning Hilton Hotels, the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, Coca-Cola, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing. 
Ellen has been recognized by PRWeek as a Woman of Distinction (2024), Boating Industry Magazine Woman Making Waves (2019), Boating Industry Magazine 40 Under 40 (2007, 2017) and Association Forum, 40 under 40 (2015). She currently serves on the boards of directors for the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and Chicago-based A Giving Heart Foundation and is a member of Step-Up Women’s Network, a non-profit mentoring program for young girls. Ellen graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two children and can be found boating on Lake Michigan during the city’s beloved summer months and going for long runs along its beautiful lakefront trails.

Chief Brand Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications

After initially starting his career in project freight forwarding aged 18, Kim Hollamby soon switched to the marine industry by joining a motor boating magazine, inspired by his family’s connections to boating. His next career step was to become part of the start-up team for a new title called Motor Boats Monthly. He became its editor three years later, a role he held for 11 years. 
 
Kim was invited to take on Group Editorship for the globally renowned business to business publication International Boat Industry and publisher for the marine portal ybw.com before serving as digital director for IPC/Time Warner in the UK. There he became responsible for the development of more than 70 websites for the company’s brands including Yachting World, Practical Boat Owner and Motor Boat & Yachting. 
 
After a few years working away as a company director in the education and information technology sectors, Kim returned to his first passion. Today his partnership business serves in several capacities for small and large marine companies around the world, including people and business development, marketing, communications and events. Kim spearheaded several initiatives to encourage participation in boating for his national marine trade association and currently serves on the committee of the British Marine Trades Association. 
 
As keen boating participants, Kim and his wife have owned everything from small sailing dinghies and kayaks to 14m motor yachts, including two Dutch built steel motor cruisers. In 1999 Kim undertook a 4500-mile circumnavigation of the UK with diversions to the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Ireland, calling in 147 harbours over six months.
 
Kim’s relationship with Metstrade dates to the turn of the Century. He collaborates with the show team on several initiatives including the world-renowned DAME Design Awards and IBI Metstrade Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement. He blogs regularly on the Metstrade portal, plays an active role in the development of Metstrade’s Young Professionals Club and leads the tour programme.

Principal

Victoria is the CEO at The Magenta Project.  Having worked in the sailing and marine industry for nearly 30 years, she has a background in media and communications primarily with sailing campaigns.  In  2019 authored the Strategic Review into Women in Sailing and led the World Sailing Trust before joining The Magenta Project earlier this year.

Emily Caroe is the Communications and Purpose Director for Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing. A PR, communications, and sponsorship expert with over 25 years of experience at agency, rights holder, and brands, Emily leads multinational and multichannel communications campaigns across adventure, sport, and purpose. After leading the comms for a team in the 2017-18 Ocean Race, Emily was inspired to learn more about the power of sport to create positive impact for people and planet.

Communications and Purpose Director

Rupert Robinson is a strategic architect with three decades of experience designing sustainable-finance mechanisms that drive systemic transition across entire value chains. He structures blended-finance vehicles and carbon-market frameworks that mobilize public, private, and philanthropic capital to fund large-scale decarbonization.
A former senior leader at Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) and RSBG SE, Rupert designed transition funds and national-level impact vehicles aligning institutional and DFI capital behind coordinated climate strategies.
A recognized pioneer of Micro-Carbon Financing, he creates mechanisms that transform everyday operations into perpetual climate-finance flows. His work spans infrastructure, real estate, sports and entertainment, marine logistics, and industrial transition—embedding financing directly into commercial systems to make sustainability self-funding.
As an Independent Sustainable-Finance Lead, Rupert now advises governments, investors, and industry coalitions on catalytic instruments, blended-finance frameworks, and outcome-linked models that make systemic transition both investable and enduring.

Finance Strategist

Alasdair Reay is the CEO of HPI Verification Services Ltd., a notified body appointed by the European Commission to certify under the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) & Pressure Equipment Directive (PED). The company has been recording boat compliance details in their own 'CEproof' software for thirty years. This represents a treasure trove of data for mining by anyone who has need of it.
Reay, a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects in UK, began his career with Lloyds Register and after a brief spell with ABS, moved into small craft compliance. Reay is the author of the award-winning CEproof software, sits on numerous ISO and ABYC standards committees.

Raphaël Pleynet has more than 30 years of experience in the global composites and technical textiles industries, gained through senior management roles in international business. He holds a master's degree in Marketing and Management. 
He is the Managing Director of the European Composites Industry Association (https://eucia.eu/), which represents European national composites associations and industry-specific sector groups at EU level. In this role his responsibilities include directing EuCIA’s day-to-day operations, developing strategic partnerships and initiatives, and uniting the expertise of EuCIA’s members to support the sustainable growth of the European composites industry.
EuCIA :
We support the sustainable growth of the European composites industry and promote the development of a flourishing business environment, taking advantage of the combined expertise of our members.
We have developed the Eco-Impact Calculator in 2016.   A dedicate tool Cradle to gate for Composite materials.   We update it regularly. Last one was in April 2023.

Managing Director

Loris has been a driving force at GREENBOATS for over five years, beginning his career as a Boatbuilder and quickly transitioning into a Business Developer role.
His expertise spans a broad range of demanding projects, from custom applications within the yachting industry to high-performance manufactoring for IMOCA Offshore racing. In these roles, he was instrumental in the successful integration of sustainable natural fibers into structural components.
Today, Loris leverages this comprehensive knowledge to consult with clients across various industries, beyond the maritime sector. His primary focus is on demonstrating practical and effective ways for these businesses to integrate natural fibers into their own products, successfully combining high performance with sustainability.

Boatbuilder/Business Developer

Head of Marketing

Chair, Vice President, Environmental Compliance & Marine Technology

Director of Sustainability

Ben Stein is editor of Panbo.com covering marine technology. He also writes a monthly Getting Technical column for Soundings Trade Only and serves as electronics editor for Power & Motoryacht. Stein chairs the NMMA’s Innovation awards at IBEX and co-chairs the awards at the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show. Additionally he is a member of DAME design awards jury at Metstrade. After 15 years in financial services technology, he left the corporate world to pursue his passion in boating. Stein is the current president of Boating Writers International, a USCG 100-Ton Master, and ABYC certified marine electrical technician.

Editor at Panbo.com

Ollie has over 15 years experience working with leading brands in the marine industry, specialising in the development of products that minimize environmental impact.
A sustainability strategist, LCA practitioner, and impact-oriented problem solver, Ollie’s journey in marine innovation is driven by a passion for challenging the status quo and uncovering solutions that truly reduce the marine industries impact.
Since 2022, Ollie has led the MarineShift360 project, delivering lifecycle assessments across a wide spectrum of marine products, offering clients insights that translate into real-world, low-impact solutions.
Ollie founded Marine Futures in 2024 to make a measurable difference in the marine industry, uniting his comprehensive understanding of product development with a commitment to sustainable progress.

Director

Andrew Boswell is the CEO of BlueGrid, a software and data company accelerating marine electrification. Based in Nova Scotia, Canada, and active across North America and Europe, BlueGrid delivers AI-enabled intelligence for vessel, port and electric grid operators to optimize the financial and environmental benefits of going electric. This starts with the data to inform transition decisions and then unlocks the operational value of vessel-to-grid. He brings an entrepreneurial mindset and global experience shaped by senior leadership roles in international firms, startups, and a range of volunteer roles.

Founder

Brian Benedict is the founder of WIF-Pro, creator of an innovative Water-in-Fuel Detection and Alert System and an ABYC-compliant gasoline clear bowl fuel filter assembly - the first of its kind. A South Florida native, lifelong boater, and Duke University graduate, Brian’s passion for boating led him to develop WIF-Pro after a 2020 family vacation was cut short when his boat suffered water-in-fuel contamination.
Discovering no reliable solutions - and that traditional options like the RACOR WIF sensors were no longer recommended for use in gasoline applications - he set out to engineer a better system. After four years of development, WIF-Pro launched to industry acclaim, earning IBEX Innovation Awards in 2023 and 2024 and the 2025 NMEA Technology Product Award for advancing marine safety and reliability.

Marie‑France MacKinnon is the Executive Director of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada, the voice of the country’s recreational boating industry. She leads the association’s strategic direction, public affairs, and government relations work, with a particular focus on advancing market access, industry competitiveness, and regulatory modernization.
A seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in public affairs, communications, and advocacy, Marie‑France has held senior leadership roles across both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining NMMA in 2023, she was Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications at the Canadian Meat Council, where she secured landmark federal policy wins that reshaped agri-food workforce and immigration strategies.
Fluent in both official languages and based in Ottawa, Marie‑France is widely recognized for her results-driven approach, coalition building, and ability to influence public policy on behalf of Canada’s business and trade sectors.

Executive Director, NMMA Canada

Eric serves as President and CEO of IMTRA Corporation, a leading manufacturer and importer of quality solutions and products for the marine, energy and transportation markets. Eric joined New Bedford, MA-based IMTRA in 1988 and served in roles in product management, marketing and operations before being appointed COO in 2012 and CEO in 2014. Eric was responsible for engineering the employee-led/ESOP buyout of IMTRA which is now a 100% employee-owned company.
Eric is active in marine industry governance through his role as a board member and incoming chair of the audit committee of the National Marine Manufacturers. He also acts as the state captain for Massachusetts for the ESOP Association’s New England Chapter. A lifelong boater, Eric grew up sailing on the waters of Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts. He attended Westminster School (Simsbury, CT) and graduated from Bates College (Lewiston, ME) with a BA in Mathematics. Eric is very active in his community with a focus on philanthropic activities including his role as Trustee of the Braitmayer Foundation. He lives in Fairhaven, MA and is an active golfer, boater and tennis enthusiast.

President and CEO of IMTRA Corporation

Barrow International has been delivering cost effective, specialised, high impact marine marketing distribution results, nationally and internationally, for over 35 years. Directed by sales and marketing expert David Barrow, Barrow International has become a leading export business development agency in the commercial and leisure marine sector.  With past and present clients including Tylaska Marine Hardware, Spectra Watermakers, Sulnox Group PLC fuel saver additive, Anchoright Anchor chain marking system amongst others.  Some of the business have carried on becoming market leaders in their sectors.
Whether you’re a fast-growing business entering the international marine market, or a mature business aiming to launch your product or service into the marine industry, Barrow International has the expertise, contacts and influence to ensure your product or service is properly launched to a global audience of influential marine professionals. 
Combined with our consultancy service, Barrow International has an exclusive and unrivalled marine industry database, which is acknowledged by industry professionals as one of the best contact databases available.  It includes some of the highest-level decision-makers in the sector, in 25 different categories from yacht designers and manufacturers, to equipment manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, agents, retailers, and related service and equipment suppliers.

Owner

Niels Klarenbeek has managed the METSTRADE team since early 2020, overseeing the strategy and growth of the world’s leading B2B event for the recreational marine industry.
He also serves as President of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO), where he promotes an agenda focused on making boat shows more inclusive, sustainable and engaging.

Director Metstrade | President IFBSO

General Manager – Europe, Middle East & Africa

Luigi is senior project manager in the Ships department (Division Yachts) at MARIN. He graduated with a MSC Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from University Federico II of Naples (Italy) in 2012, and has been working in the Netherlands at MARIN since 2013 as a project manager concerning powering and seakeeping aspects (involving design advice, hull form optimization, performance predictions with CFD and/or model testing). Luigi has a deep interest into the ship design from a multidisciplinary point of view and into the possibilities of continuous integration of innovations in the ship design itself. Most of the free time is still spent in the water with watersports such as kitesurf, kitefoiling and sailing.

Senior Project Manager

Hugo Kerhascoët is a PhD engineer specialized in high-performance sailing and real-time control systems. For more than 15 years, he has operated at the intersection of control theory, embedded software, and performance analytics, always with one foot in the engineering lab and the other on the racecourse. His technologies have been deployed in over 100 round-the-world races and contributed to multiple wins and records across offshore and foiling campaigns.
His expertise includes advanced autopilot design, embedded control architectures, sensor fusion, and data-driven performance optimisation for both racing yachts and commercial foiling craft.  Today, through we.deploy(science), he develops real-time optimal control systems based on digital twins and model predictive control (MPC), pushing the next wave of autonomy in competitive sailing. He also spent three years inside an America’s Cup team, working across performance, design, and mechatronics groups to turn complex engineering into competitive advantage.
Alongside his technical work, Hugo has co-founded several innovation-driven companies in the marine tech ecosystem, bringing ideas from concept to reliable, field-proven systems.

Dr. Mike Peasgood is a serial entrepreneur and technology leader with a track record of building companies at the forefront of innovation. After earning his PhD in mechanical systems engineering from the University of Waterloo, Mike co-founded Aeryon Labs, where he helped pioneer the development of advanced unmanned aerial systems. Aeryon grew into a global leader in industrial-grade drones before its acquisition by FLIR Systems in 2019.
 
Building on that success, Mike founded ENVGO to bring aerospace-level engineering to the water. ENVGO is delivering hydrofoiling control technology and AI-enabled navigation systems that make boating cleaner, safer, and higher-performing. Its flagship NV1, a 25-foot electric hydrofoiling cruiser, demonstrates the thrill and efficiency of “flight over water,” while the company also partners with leading boat manufacturers to accelerate the industry’s transition to sustainable performance.

Project Manager

Jean-François Cuzon is the founder and CEO of Pixel sur Mer, a leading company providing advanced technological solutions for competitive sailing, yachting, shipping, defense, and aeronautics. With more than 25 years of experience in ocean racing and a world championship title in the 470 class (1999), he has long combined high-level athletic performance with engineering expertise. He also brings over 20 years of experience in engineering, embedded electronics, and complex onboard systems.
He graduated from INSA in 2001 after completing a dual curriculum in elite sports and engineering. After his studies, he joined Michel Desjoyeaux’s Mer Agitée team, contributing to major offshore racing projects. He later became part of the Areva Challenge team in Valencia for the 32nd America’s Cup, working as a systems and navigation engineer during the early Louis Vuitton Cup regattas.
In 2008, he founded Pixel sur Mer with the ambition of bringing innovative, data-driven technologies to professional sailing and beyond. Today, Jean-François also sails aboard the Wally V, continuing to blend technical excellence with his passion for navigation.

CEO & co-founder

Christophe Bourillon has been the CEO of the PYA since 2021. He has 30 years of experience in senior management, public affairs, and crisis communication at the national and international levels. He has founded and led various industry associations, such as Wind Europe. He has also driven other organisations through major transformations, including the World Nuclear Association, the European Biofuels Association and the World Federation of Science Journalists.
 
He has managed government relations campaigns for the oil and gas, nuclear, and other industries. As an accredited expert to the United Nations, he participated in the negotiations of the UN Convention on Climate Change for more than 15 years

Managing Director | Global Superyacht Lead

Co-founder

Programme Director

Director International Partnerships

My role at Trinnov is Technical Sales Manager for Europe. I specialise in our High-End product range of Home Cinema and HiFi Processors. I work with our distributors to grow their business by providing; staff and dealer training, calibration assistance, first line technical support.

Technical Sales Manager

Dr. Julia Riedmeier is an internationally renowned luxury brand strategist, advisor, and author, as well as the founder of Code \ Luxe (est. 2021), a luxury studio that uniquely combines strategic advisory with an academy for luxury brands and professionals. Since 2010, she has been continuously exploring, analyzing, and contributing to the global luxury market. Since 2016, she has been teaching luxury brand management, currently in Munich and Monaco. In addition, she is actively involved in non-profit initiatives such as “World Boating Day” and the collective “Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting”, for which she serves as an ambassador.

Founder & CEO

A recreational craft professional for over 40 years, Craig has proven hands on knowledge of global standards, the engineering, manufacturing, and compliance requirements. Skilled in leadership and collaboration in both domestic and international committees, Craig demonstrates a thorough understanding of how the standards and certification processes work and have evolved over time. For over three decades, Craig has served the marine industry in multiple roles, including VP, Director, Chairperson, Convener, Expert and Member of executive committees, technical committees and boards. Craig holds a Master’s Compliance Specialist Certification from Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology and is an ABYC Master Technician. He is the current Chairperson of ISO TC 188 standards for small craft and is the VP of Standards and Compliance for the ABYC.

Vice President, Standard and Compliance

Michele J. Goldsmith is Vice President and General Manager of the Soundings Trade Only Group, a leading B2B media brand serving the marine industry, and group publisher of Soundings Trade Only and Soundings publications. With more than 30 years of experience spanning manufacturing, product development, and marketing and sales in both OEM and aftermarket markets, Michele brings deep expertise and insight to many facets of the industry. Her influence extends well beyond her role in media. Michele has served on several key industry boards, including the NMMA, Grow Boating, PAC, and ABYC’s technical board of directors. A champion of innovation and inclusion, she is the founder of the Women in the Industry series of programs and events, has spearheaded initiatives such as “Pitch the Pros,” “Women in the Industry,” and the “1+1 Mentoring Program.” She has been recognized and honored with the 2023 Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award and the 2024 Alan J. Freedman Memorial Leadership Award for her impact and leadership. A lifelong creative and former professional athlete, Michele brings energy, artistry, and a global perspective to everything she does on land or water.

Vice President and General Manager

Henk de Vries was born in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands in 1958. After high school he studied business economics at the VU Amsterdam, following which he worked as business consultant in various sectors. He joined Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw and Feadship in 1987 as sales manager and became director/shareholder in 1996. Together with cousin Tom de Vries and later joined by Rob and Roderick de Vries they expanded the family business to its current size, with seven operating companies and over 1200 employees. 
 De Vries still is a completely family-owned company and owns 50% of Feadship. Henk retired in April 2025 as CEO. Henk is now a member of the supervisory board and remains an ambassador for Feadship.
 In 1998 Henk was Co-Founder and chairman of the Board of the Water Revolution Foundation. The Water Revolution Foundation is the first independent, international, science-driven, non-profit organization started from with the superyacht industry that is taking the lead to neutralize its ecological footprint and preserve the world’s precious  oceans.
 Henk lives in Amsterdam with his wife and has a son.

Former Feadship Director/ CEO Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw

After completing secondary school, I embarked on a professional journey into Italy, where I spent over five enriching years immersed in various facets of logistics. My career began with roles as a freight forwarder and customs agent, progressing into the intricate world of transport sales—both air and road freight. Also in San Marino This foundational period honed my expertise in supply chain dynamics and international trade, setting the stage for future ventures.
Upon returning to the Netherlands, I dedicated a decade to advancing the interests of Allpa Marine Equipment in Germany. Through relentless commitment and strategic vision, I transformed the company in Germany into a recognized success, elevating its presence and reputation within the competitive European market. Around the year 2000, I took the bold step of acquiring the firm  Allpa marine equipment bv and the GmbH , with the ambition to establish Allpa as a leading European player. By forging partnerships with renowned brands and cultivating a loyal customer base across the Benelux region and Germany, I successfully expanded the company’s footprint.
Under my stewardship, Allpa blossomed into a formidable force in the maritime equipment sector. In late 2021, the company attracted the confidence of private equity investors and was subsequently sold. I remained actively involved for another two and a half years as a member of the Supervisory Board, before stepping back to focus on new ventures, while retaining ownership in the group. ( Allpa, Combi Noord , Technautic )
Beyond the corporate world, I channel my entrepreneurial spirit into acquiring new residential and commercia/offices properties, and occasionally engaging in development projects. I was here already involved during the allpa period These endeavors complement my diverse professional portfolio and reflect a keen interest in real estate growth and innovation.
Outside of business, my passion lies in the realm of heritage classic cars. I actively participate in prestigious events such as Mille Miglia, Silverstone Classic, Le Mans Classic, and Goodwood Revival. These iconic gatherings celebrate automotive history and craftsmanship, offering me the thrill of competition alongside the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts.
My journey is a testament to a lifelong pursuit of excellence, combining strategic leadership, entrepreneurial drive, and a zest for historic , heritage car-sport culture.

Former Marine Entrepreneur

Corporate Communication manager

CEO Advisor, Saudi Red Sea Authority & Vice-President, Water Revolution Foundation

Chairman & Editor in Chief

I'm responsible for the industrial sectors of Yachting, Yacht Racing and Wind Ships for Brittany Region through the Bretagne Sailing Valley program

Project manager

Gerben is co-founder and director at Flying Fish. He graduated on aircraft control & simulation at the faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology. He started his career in hydrofoils as chief engineer of the TU Delft Solar Boat team back in 2013. In 2018 he co-founded Flying Fish: a Dutch company that specializes in hydrofoil design, control and simulation of hydrofoil craft and advanced planning systems for fleets of fast vessels.'

Co-Founder

Managing Partner

Laura is a former superyacht Purser, with shoreside experience in yacht management, refit, and construction across Europe. After completing a master’s degree in psychology, she joined the ISWAN team in January 2025 as Welfare of Yacht Crew Project Manager, focusing on the development and delivery of collaborative, cross-industry projects addressing key health, safety, and wellbeing issues faced by crew. ISWAN is Secretariat and Project Manager for Changing Tack, the crew welfare think tank under the Superyacht Alliance.

Welfare of Yacht Crew Project Manager

A writer, photographer and video presenter with 35 years experience in the superyacht industry, Justin Ratcliffe is known for his professional, no-nonsense journalism that informs the reader while offering genuine insight into the people and processes at hand. He is currently Editor of the technical magazine How to Build It and Associate Editor of Superyacht Times.

Editor How to Build It Magazine

Tim Barnes has more than 40 years of experience in sales and sales management for consumer and professional product companies. The last 18 years have been with Kaleidescape as VP North America Sales for 14 years and the past 4 years as VP International and Marine Sales. Prior to Kaleidescape, Tim spent 23 years in various sales roles at Fuji Photo Film USA, Inc. including VP of Field Sales for professional markets.

VP International & Marine Sales

Project Director/Client Representative

Founder & Principal Designer

Cindy is the CEO and Founder of Floatist, a software company helping fleet operators around the world. With her skills as software engineer, her 5+ years of experience as a skipper and her vision for Floatist she set out to solve the many challenges yacht charter operators face on a day to day basis.

Co-Founder / CEO

Suzanne Blaustone initiated her manufacturing career in Chicago in the 1980s and was among the first women selling hotroll steel bar direct to US forging operations, before moving into chemical coatings in 1991 for automotive, electronics and general industrial sectors.  
Arriving in the UK in 1997, she expanded international sales for US exporters of polyurethane coatings and intermediates before transitioning to the role of CEO at Barton Marine Equipment in 2014. 
In 2020, she expanded Barton’s sales impact when opening Barton US LLC in the state of Virginia to supply Barton equipment in North America.  
Suzanne remains passionate about the growth of manufacturing sectors in the UK and EU and focusses on sales expansion through product innovation, exporting, business partnering and optimising distribution networks.

Chief Executive Officer

Marina Palumbo Cardella is Project and Policy Officer at the European Boating Industry (EBI), where she leads work on circular economy and sustainability across the recreational boating sector. Her activities focus on key topics such as end-of-life management of boats, the recycling and reuse of composite materials, and the development of circular business models within the industry. She follows EBI’s work in relevant expert groups and EU-funded projects, including initiatives that promote green skills, new materials and sustainable practices in boatbuilding. Being a sailor herself, and passionate about the maritime industry and European cooperation, Marina works to strengthen the sector’s voice in EU policymaking and foster collaboration across industry and institutions.

Project and Policy Officer

Peter Wallbank is the Co-Founder and Technical Director of August Race Group, a UK-based manufacturer of premium marine surface-care and protection systems established in 2013. With nearly three decades of experience in the chemical industry, he specialises in bespoke formulation development for high-performance and environmentally responsible cleaning technologies.
Peter is an active Member of the Nautical Institute and serves on the ICOMIA Sustainability Committee, contributing to international dialogue on sustainable product standards and responsible practices within the global leisure marine sector.

Co Founder and Group Technical Director

Jaime has held the role at World Sailing, since January 2020. He leads the organisation’s work on equipment regulation, measurement and certification, and offshore safety and standards worldwide.
Throughout his tenure, Jaime has championed innovation and fairness in sailing by introducing advanced technologies such as 3D scanning of foils to ensure that races are determined on the water rather than in the boat-park. He has also overseen the expansion of self-certification programmes for sails, and the implementation of a Universal Measurement System, aimed at reducing cost barriers and improving global consistency for sailors and manufacturers alike. With a strong focus on technical integrity, sustainability and a level playing field, Jaime brings a wealth of experience to discussions on equipment rules, class management and offshore standards.

Director of Technical & Offshore

Tal Duvdevany is a technology executive and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience bridging semiconductors, AI, and advanced sensing technologies. He began his career as a Naval Officer , where he developed a lifelong connection to the sea and marine operations.
Before founding WATCHIT.ai, Tal held senior leadership roles at KLA and NOVA, two global leaders in semiconductor process control and metrology. Over the years, he advanced from hands-on engineering to global sales and business management, leading multidisciplinary teams, complex operations, and large-scale commercial growth across international markets.
Today, as CEO and Co-Founder of WATCHIT.ai, Tal brings his deep technical expertise and business acumen to the marine world, pioneering the integration of AI, sensor fusion, and intelligent automation to make boating safer and smarter.

CEO & Co-Founder

Peter Byford is the Chief Technical Officer at RAD Propulsion, where he leads all technical aspects of product development and oversees the execution of complex engineering projects.
Since joining RAD, Peter has played a key role in the design and development of the company’s full range of innovative electric propulsion systems, helping to position RAD at the forefront of sustainable marine technology.
Prior to joining RAD Propulsion, Peter was Head of Electrical Systems at L3Harris Technologies, where he led the design and delivery of advanced marine robotic systems. Earlier in his career, he gained extensive experience in the automotive sector, working with several major OEMs and race teams. He also spent over a decade in web development and online database systems, delivering digital solutions for blue-chip clients.
Peter holds a first-class degree in Automotive Engineering and brings a combination of technical depth, cross-industry experience, and leadership to his role.
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CTO at RAD Propulsion

Jarrod Seymour brings over 26 years of experience at Garmin, spanning multiple product segments including outdoor, automotive and marine. 
With a strong foundation in both electrical and software engineering, he has led product design teams for more than 20 years. Jarrod has played a pivotal role in Garmin’s marine segment since 2013 and was named Marine Business Segment Leader in 2018. Driven by a genuine passion for marine electronics both personally and professionally, Jarrod’s leadership fuels ongoing innovation and strategic growth within Garmin’s marine business.

Garmin Vice President and Marine Segment Leader

Clay Crabtree is the Senior Director of Public Policy for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and serves as Co-Lead of the Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs Team, where he coordinates advocacy on issues central to the recreational marine industry, including manufacturing, innovation, international trade and tariffs, tax policy, and environmental protection. With nearly 15 years of policymaking experience across Congress, federal agencies, and industry, he works closely with the industry to maintain a forward-looking advocacy strategy, ensuring consistency between federal, state, and global policies. He has been at the forefront of industry efforts to anticipate and address legislative and regulatory challenges, representing NMMA in Washington, D.C., California, and internationally on trade and environmental policy. Appointed by the U.S. Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, he also advises on public-private partnerships that strengthen recreational boating in the U.S.

Senior Director of Public Policy for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)

Oliver Heer is a Swiss German professional offshore sailor who competed in, and finished the 2024 Vendée Globe, a solo, unassisted, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe.
From Zurich, Switzerland, Oliver transitioned from a career in international management to pursue his dream of professional sailing, establishing himself in the world’s toughest offshore races. He is known for his extraordinary resilience, leadership, and focus in extreme environments.
Beyond racing, Oliver uses his platform to promote sustainability and tackle climate change.

Professional Offshore Sailor

Cheryl is the Managing Director for Le Boat, part of the Marine Division of Travelopia and owned by KKR.
 She began her career in travel at just 16, rising quickly through the ranks to become Retail Trading Director in 2001 and Managing Director of the First Choice Retail Group in 2004. In 2007 she joined Sunsail as Managing Director and later became COO for TUI Marine, which included The Moorings, Sunsail, Footloose and Le Boat, in Florida. After four years in the sunshine, Cheryl returned to the UK to lead Le Boat, a role she continues to love with passion. Today, she also sits on the Board of Travelopia.
 A passionate boater herself, Cheryl enjoys life on the Thames from her riverside home with her own dock and dayboat. She loves welcoming new customers and watching them grow in confidence on the water, as well as reconnecting with those who return year after year. With over 55 years of experience, Le Boat has grown into the world’s largest self-drive boating company on inland waterways and rivers. Under Cheryl’s leadership, the business has expanded across the Atlantic, opening two bases and launching 32 boats in Ontario, Canada. She also introduced the Horizon fleet in 2016 and most recently unveiled Liberty in 2025, the company’s most luxurious boat to date. Cheryl’s vision inspired the new creative platform We’re on Le Boat, which celebrates the boating community and invites newcomers to discover the freedom of the waterways.
 Today, Le Boat operates the world’s largest fleet of over 900 self-drive boats across more than 33 departure bases in nine destinations. Its holidays offer everything from action-packed adventures to slow-paced escapes. For those who want to cruise more often, the Le Boat Ownership Programme makes it possible to own a Horizon or Liberty boat with none of the hassle while enjoying up to eight weeks of boating each year across its full network.
 She is proud to invite everyone to join the Le Boat community and discover the magic of boating.

Managing Director at Le Boat

“There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” Ratty’s words from The Wind in the Willows capture the heartbeat of our next panelist. Growing up on the water, he turned a childhood spent exploring marinas in a jon boat into a lifelong passion, some might say an obsession, for everything marine. After launching into a successful career in real estate and entrepreneurship, he followed a mid-life epiphany and transformed those skills into a dream career in the Marine Industry spanning nearly 30 years. When he’s not studying the lines of yachts or walking the docks, he’s an adventure seeker, world traveler, and devoted father navigating the joyful chaos of raising two children.

Head of Industry Sales and Partnerships

Senior Naval Architect & Head of Strategic Development Maritime Hydrodynamics at RISE Maritime (Research Institutes of Sweden Maritime department. 
100% beliver in foiling technology will revolutionize the industry of maritime transportation and recreational boating.

Naval Architect / Head of Strategic Development Maritime Hydrodynamics

Head of Vessels

COO and Founder

Born in 1961, Mario Caponnetto is a naval architect and fluids dynamicist whose life has been shaped by his love for the sea. A former international regatta winner, he pursued Naval Engineering at the University of Genova, later becoming a researcher and lecturer in hydrodynamics and CFD. His career spans over 30 years of high-level design work for shipyards and 10 America’s Cup campaigns, earning two victories with Oracle Team USA, a Louis Vuitton Cup and a Prada Cup. In 2016, he co-founded Caponnetto-Hueber SL in Valencia, today a global reference in CFD and performance innovation.

Engineer

Fabrizio Marabini is an aerospace engineer with more than thirty years of experience in performance technology and high-level sailing projects. After graduating from Politecnico di Milano, he began his career in aeronautics and later joined several America’s Cup teams, including Il Moro di Venezia, Prada Challenge, Mascalzone Latino, Artemis Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand, and Luna Rossa Challenge. Over the years, his work has focused on performance analysis, load monitoring, software development and onboard electronics, following the evolution of sailing from conventional yachts to modern foiling boats.
In 2011 he co-founded FaRo Advanced Systems, a company specialized in instrumentation and control systems for racing sailboats. With the growing relevance of foiling, FaRo has extended its work to both sailing and motor applications, developing integrated mechatronic systems spanning from sensors engineering to data acquisition, from PLC programming to automatic control.
Fabrizio’s experience lies at the intersection of engineering and competition, where innovation is driven by practical needs and constant testing. His perspective connects the technological advances achieved in top-level racing with their potential use in broader marine contexts — exploring not only what can be transferred from racing to production, but also what remains specific to the competitive environment.

Director of Vessev USA

Since 2019 I head the dedicated global Crestron Marine department. From this department Crestron works with the dealers active in this space as well as oversees the contacts with all other parties involved in the marine and superyachting space.
During my study I already worked with AV equipment for live events and entertainment, and from there I got involved with Crestron products and technology already very early in my professional career. Being always curious and in love with technologies this triggered me to start working with these solutions in all kinds of applications.  
After spending some years at Crestron in different positions I am now dedicating all my efforts on leading the Crestron Marine department. This gives me the opportunity to use my experience and skills to further develop this truly inspiring market. Superyachts are the pinnacle of technology, and this industry has the unique possibility to really drive innovations.

Director | Naval Architect

Pia Lou Velema is the officer for New Projects and Partnerships at the Water Revolution Foundation. With a background in climate law, governance, and sustainable development diplomacy, she focuses on driving collaborative initiatives that accelerate the maritime sector’s transition towards environmentally just practices.

Torsten Steinbrecher, Founder and CEO of Qualtron was born in Berlin in 1964. Torsten is married with one son to Jenny Steinbrecher, who also plays an important role in Qualtron as Managing Director.
Throughout his extensive career Torsten has enjoyed management roles in some of the biggest names in the industry. His passion, flair and attention to detail inspires his dedicated team to meet the challenges of the Marine AV market, where ultra-high net worth individuals demand the highest standards of performance and aesthetic appeal.
His technical prowess, tact and discretion make him an ideal partner in complex projects, where bespoke solutions are required. Torsten’s visionary approach merges technical expertise with an appreciation for aesthetics empowering him to meet or exceed the high expectations of his clientele.
The growing market for private cinema on board yachts brings unique opportunities to excel. Sophisticated technologies meet interior design to create the perfect AV solution in the most challenging environment. Torsten’s commitment to bringing the owner’s vision to life, leads his team to achieve the highest standards, where excellence comes as standard.
Hobbies and interests include sailing and diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Baltic Sea. He is also a member of the Lions Club International, supporting community projects and causes.

Founder & Managing Partner

Rowan Gyde, co-founder of 'Aotearoa Ocean Racing', New Zealand's newest national sports team, taking on The Ocean Race 2027 and Director of Kaha Marine, specialist commercial strategy consultancy for marine companies.

Co Founder

Dawn Riley is one of the best-known sailors in the world and is a member of the National Sailing Hall of Fame, the International America’s Cup Hall of Fame and the State of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. The only person to achieve this. She has raced in four America’s Cups, wining one and two Whitbread Round the World races.  
A past president of the Woman’s Sports Foundation, Dawn is a much sought-after motivational speaker. She is currently executive director of the Oakcliff Sailing, a non-profit training and coaching center in Oyster Bay NY. Oakcliff offers unique programs from corporate teambuilding to a tuition based residential program for athletes who want a career in the marine industry.  Through these programs, Oakcliff is helping America regain its leadership position in the sport and Building American Leaders Through Sailing.

Executive Director

Marcus Warrelmann is the CEO of SEA.AI, recognized for his strategic leadership in business scaling. With a mechanical engineering background from Deutsche Bahn, he has successfully grown Automotive Electronics business from scratch to over 1 billion euros in revenue. His previous roles include Chief Sales Officer at Joyson Safety Systems and Managing Director of Flex Automotive GmbH.

CEO Sea.AI

Content Director

Born in 1962.  President of Dometic Marine Segment since 2018.                    
Eric Fetchko is currently in his 39th year working at the company that is today Dometic Marine, starting his lengthy boating industry career in 1986 as junior engineer at Teleflex, which was acquired by SeaStar Solutions before being acquired again by Dometic Group in 2017.   In essence, he has worked with the same company for 39 years with four different owners. 
Eric Fetchko has literally dedicated his professional life to supporting the boat building industry, making boats better, safer, and more reliable, and providing boating enthusiasts around the world with a more enjoyable experience on the water.  As a passionate and experienced boater, he has found the ideal position. Fetchko holds 24 U.S. Patents, but in the last 15 years has enjoyed watching Dometic’s talented young engineers flourish and take the company’s product engineering to levels even he couldn’t have imagined.
Eric Fetchko’s dedication to the industry he loves includes serving for many years on the Board of Directors for Dometic’s former NHK joint venture in Japan, National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada, and ongoing work with the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) to help develop important safety standards. He has presided over some of the industry’s most significant technical achievements over the years, including many winners of the NMMA Innovation Award in a range of product categories.
Eric Fetchko’s contributions to the industry were recognized in 2024 when he was selected as Mover & Shaker of the Year by the editors of Boating Industry Magazine.
He graduated in Mechanical Engineering from British Columbia Institute of Technology in 1985 and earned an MSAT (Management Skills in Advanced Technology) from Simon Fraser University.  Striving to be a lifelong learner, Fetchko has taken more than 30 courses in Technology and Business over the last 39 years to assist him in growing in his roles.

President

Amy has worked in Sustainability in Sport with a primary focus on the sailing industry. Having had both inhouse and consultancy roles including being a driving force in the IMOCA Class LCA project as part of 11th Hour Racing Team. She is now focussed on her work as part of consultancy Foxall Munro, a transatlantic team who advocate for bold visions of the future and the paradigm shifts that are needed to get there. They are solution-oriented, and action-driven co-creators who use cultural levers and human togetherness to create positive impact.

Director, Foxall Munro & Sustainability Commission Advisor, World Sailing

Gerben Visser is the Founder and CEO of Aquator Marine, a company that builds software for the yachting world. Having spent years around boats, both racing and cruising, Gerben saw how much the industry could benefit from better digital tools. Today, Aquator Marine helps yacht managers, shipyards, and owners simplify day-to-day operations through modern, intuitive technology. Gerben is passionate about bringing innovation, transparency, and efficiency to an industry that still runs largely on spreadsheets and emails.

R & D Director

Andrew Semprevivo has been working in the marine industry since he was thirteen. What started out as a summer job at his local marina turned into a lifelong passion for boating. Between the local marina and his tenure at Seakeeper, Andrew served as International/West Coast Sales and Project Manager for the Viking Yacht Company.
Andrew joined Seakeeper in 2008, just as the company was bringing their gyros to market and led the charge in developing the company’s global customer base as well as its first-class global sales and support network. Since joining Seakeeper, he has held various positions from Inside Sales Manager to VP of Sales and Marketing. Andrew was promoted to President & CEO in April of 2018.
Andrew’s love of boating is not limited to his work! He is passionate about fishing and enjoys spending his free time on the water in both New Jersey and Florida with his family.

President & CEO

Scott Berry is the Vice President of Engineering Standards for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) with more than 24 years of experience in the recreational marine industry. With the association since 2018, Scott manages the NMMA certification programs, domestic and international standards development, risk management publications and technical support. He currently serves on the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Tech Board, numerous project technical committees, and as Chair of the Thermal Appliance PTC, in addition to serving on various International Organization for Standardization (ISO) working groups and the Board of Directors of the International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI).

Vice President of Engineering Standards

Gary Reich is the editor-in-chief of Soundings Trade Only. A former liveaboard sailor, he has worked in the marine industry for 35 years, with 25 years spent in marine publishing for titles such as Waterway Guide, Soundings magazine, Anglers Journal, Power & Motoryacht and others. He lives in Annapolis, Md., the "sailing capital" of the United States.

Editor-in-Chief

Head of the Design Office

Owner, development & production

Naval Architect

ICOMIA

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