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.

Foiling certification & standards: Building trust and market access

Foiling has already proven its transformative power in the tender sector, delivering unparalleled efficiency, comfort, and prestige. The critical question now is: what’s the next frontier for this pioneering technology?
This session will explore the exciting - and challenging - prospect of scaling foiling to superyachts. Join us as we uncover the opportunities for both suppliers and yards, from understanding tenders as today's entry point to navigating the technical, comfort, and cost challenges of a foiling superyacht future.

Foiling and the superyacht sector: from tenders to large yachts

Founder

Founder and CEO of Boatscribe, a global yacht rental metasearch engine, and FleetRank, a fleet analytics and dynamic pricing platform. His work bridges technology and yachting, helping the industry become more transparent and efficient.

Founder & CEO at Boatscribe

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

Content Director

Technical Manager Fédération des Industries Nautiques & EBI Technical Lead for Global LCA Project

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 deep expertise in marine propulsion and vibration control, Gian Piero brings a wealth of experience in improving onboard comfort and efficiency. He’ll share insights on how innovation in mechanical systems can support the transition to quieter, cleaner, and more efficient electric vessels.

Managing 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

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

General Manager – Europe, Middle East & Africa

CEO Edorado

COO and Founder

Project Manager

Managing Partner

Electronic Engineer and MBA, cofounder of Videoworks and Itworks; dealing with innovation projects about AI (ML/generative), UX and SDN

CEO/CTO

Director IAMI GUEST

Director | Naval Architect

Programme Director

Clarissa Androsoni is an accomplished business development leader and strategist in the superyacht interiors sector. Based in Hamburg, she serves as Business Development Director at Winkels Yacht Interiors, a division of Winkels Interior Design Exhibition GmbH, where she bridges shipyards, designers, and owner representatives across Europe. With over fifteen years of international experience spanning technical outfitting, production management, and client relations, Clarissa is known for her ability to merge German precision with Italian creativity and a forward-thinking commercial mindset.
She is the founder of the Smart Interiors Horizon (SIH) committee under the Water Revolution Foundation, driving sustainability and innovation in yacht and luxury interiors through research, partnerships, and education. Beyond her corporate role, she also founded Clarissa Androsoni Consulting, advising shipyards and interior stakeholders on complex projects and sustainable value creation.
Clarissa’s work sits at the intersection of design, manufacturing, interior processes, and strategy. Her current projects include developing multi-stakeholder initiatives for circular interiors and launching new ventures in sustainable owner-supply products. Highly active on the international yacht circuit, she combines deep technical understanding with an entrepreneurial vision dedicated to shaping a more conscious future for luxury craftsmanship.

Business Development Director, Winkels Yacht Interior

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

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.

Holding a masters degree in aerospace engineering, Paolo boosts a 20 year experience in the structural design and analysis of advanced composite components. He led projects in a variety of industries, from racing yachts to bridges, from mega yachts to building facades, from under water turbine blades to aerospace components. He always followed the production pahese of his designs, gaining an all round understanding and in depth knowledge of composites. He is leading the industrial and mass transportation practice at Bcomp, with the clear goal to expand the company presence presence beyond automotive / motorsports and sports goods fields.

Industry and Mass Transportation Consultant

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

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.

Maciej Rynkiewicz has been a Standards Developer for ABYC since 2019. An integral member of the ABYC Standards and Compliance Department, Maciej works directly with the Project Technical Committees (PTCs) responsible for creating and updating the ABYC standards. Maciej is also a member of ISO/TC 188 where he is working on ISO electrical standards. He also manages hands-on testing to see what can go right, and wrong, with boat electrical systems. A long-time boater, Maciej is a Certified Marine Technician with credentials from ABYC, NMEA, and Abaris as well as a skipper and certified sailing instructor.

Standards Developer

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

Robert Newsome is the Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), responsible for overall organizational operations, alignment of strategy in support of the recreational marine industry, membership and member engagement, human resources, technology, the Marine Industry Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) program, and product certification (NMMA Certified) programs for boats, yachts, PWC, marine oils and boat trailers.
Robert is the past Chairperson of the National Safe Boating Council, serves on the Board of Directors of the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) and the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA), and on the National Safe Boating Advisory Committee (NBSAC) by appointment of the Secretary of Homeland Security.  He has extensive experience in representing the marine industry in standards development and safety issues through numerous committees of ABYC, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Robert has authored and presented on numerous industry, economic, boating experience and safety topics prevalent to today’s recreational marine industry, and serves as a spokesperson for the Discover Boating program.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame.  Today, he continues his education on operational and technology strategic excellence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 
Robert is an avid power boater, fisherman and a life-long sailor on Lake Michigan and the lakes of the Midwest.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) & Senior Vice President of Operations

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

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

Corporate Communication manager

President

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

Director of Quality and Compliance

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.

With a long experience in strategy and international business development for B2B technical products and equipment, I have the pleasure to promote and market the WATTALPS battery packs since 2022. The unique immersion cooling technology of WATTALPS batteries provides the highest level of safety, enhanced performance and lifetime in various markets like marine, construction, mining, port equipment, heavy trucks, off-highway and racing cars.

Sales & Business Development Director

Michael Short is Vice President of Marketing Operations and Residential at Crestron, a global leader in AV, control, and automation technology. With over 15 years of strategic marketing leadership, Michael oversees global marketing operations across product, PR, digital, and marketing systems—ensuring consistent brand execution and measurable impact across international markets.
He also leads Crestron’s residential marketing division, driving adoption of Crestron solutions and supporting growth across key verticals including hospitality, design-build, and marine. His continued leadership in the Marine Channel has helped establish Crestron as the AV and control technology leader in the superyacht sector, delivering innovative onboard experiences and integrated control solutions.
Michael’s career spans both large corporate environments and agile start-ups, where he has built and led high-performing teams through periods of rapid growth and transformation.

Vice President Global Marketing Operations & Residential

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

Co-Vice Chair

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

Christian Bolinger, BEng. (Hons), born in 1971, Managing Director of List General Contractor.  
After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with a focus on Yacht and Powercraft Design in England, the Swiss citizen began his professional career in 1997 by establishing his own engineering and design consultancy, specializing in the design of ships and yachts. In 2010, he advanced to become Managing Director of a Dutch shipyard.  
In 2016, Christian joined List General Contractor GmbH as Head of Sales & Service, where he played a key role in successfully completing numerous yacht and residential projects. Since November 2020, he has been a member of the company's executive board, overseeing Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Project Calculation.  
Christian is also Managing Director of Cohrs Werkstätten GmbH and Riederle Werkstätten GmbH, both of which are subsidiary companies of List General Contractor.

Matthew Zimmerman is CEO of <a href="https://www.farsounder.com">FarSounder</a>. He founded the company more than 24 years ago. Since its inception, he has driven the technical development and vision of FarSounder. His focus is on growing the company’s reach and developing an expert design and implementation team capable of translating customer needs into best-in-class commercial products. He has a passion for marine safety and for the sustainability of the ocean ecosystems. With these goals in mind, he leads the FarSounder team in the effort to create safer oceans by enabling FarSounder users to contribute to Citizen Science initiatives including whale conservation, ocean trash mapping, and crowdsourced bathymetry and through participating in the Whale and Vessel Safety Taskforce and in the IHO’s Crowd-Sourced Bathymetry Working Group (CSBWG).

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

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

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.

Andrea Tetto – Director, Marine Business Planning, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit Driving Yamaha’s strategic marine operations, with expertise in market intelligence and operational resilience.

Director Marine Planning

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.

JEC Group is a non-profit organization entirely dedicated to promoting composite materials and fostering their applications globally.
Publisher of the JEC Composites Magazine, the industry’s reference magazine, JEC organizes several events around the world, including JEC World, the leading international exhibition dedicated to composites and their applications, which takes place annually in Paris. JEC media, events and digital channels connect a global community of professionals from the composites industry and beyond, to enable knowledge transfer, create networking opportunities, and highlight innovation.

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

Lucy Greenhill is a seasoned leader in the travel, lifestyle and entertainment industries, with a 15-year track record of building, scaling and transforming brands, including leadership roles at Bundl (Ticketmaster's travel packaging partner), Day 8 Experiences (The Yacht Week), and Ibiza Rocks - driving strategy, commercial growth and operational excellence across multiple global markets.
As Chief Operating Officer at Bundl, she led major international expansion and forged partnerships with some of the world’s most iconic entertainment brands. Previously, as Commercial Director at Day 8 Experiences, Lucy oversaw product innovation, revenue growth and global team leadership across a portfolio of travel and event brands. Earlier in her career, she built the Ibiza Rocks travel division from scratch into one of Europe’s largest youth travel operators - setting new benchmarks in the industry along the way.
Lucy brings deep expertise in strategic leadership, operational scale-up and commercial strategy - paired with a strong background in yachting holidays and hospitality.
Now, as Co-Founder of Nautica Collective, she’s applying that experience to reshape modern yacht travel. Driven by a passion to create something different, Nautica blends comfort with connection, and curated adventure with a community-first spirit - offering a new kind of sailing experience for today’s traveller.

Co - Founder of Nautica Collective

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

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

Enya Gibbs is studying for a Bachelors degree in Sports Technology at Loughborough University and is currently completing a year in industry as a Junior Product Design Engineer at Spinlock, working on their protect, sense and control ranges. Alongside her engineering career, Enya is a qualified Race Coach, Dinghy Instructor, and Senior Instructor, combining her technical knowledge with hands-on experience in performance sailing. She also serves as the UK Mentee Lead for The Magenta Project, supporting diversity and professional development across the marine industry.

Junior Product Design Engineer

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

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

Francis Hueber is a Naval Architect and Co-founder of Caponnetto Hueber SL, with over 20 years of experience in high-performance, foiling, and efficient yacht design, as well as CFD, aerodynamics, and hydrodynamics.
A graduate of ENSTA Bretagne, he has played a key role in six America’s Cup campaigns, winning in 2010 and 2013 with BMW Oracle and ORACLE TEAM USA, and securing the Prada Cup in 2021 with Luna Rossa. 
At Caponnetto Hueber, Francis leads the strategic direction, overseeing business development, client relations, and R&D project initiatives, while guiding the technical execution. He facilitates and stimulates the team’s creativity, helping them imagine and develop new ideas for the future of yachting and maritime transportation.

General Manager

Joey Meen is Director of the IAMI GUEST Program and President of the Superyacht Alliance for Professional Standards. With over four decades in the yachting sector, she has shaped global training standards and professional development pathways. Her career includes senior roles with RYA, MCA, and 15 years at the PYA. Joey founded the internationally recognised GUEST Program, now delivered by more than 36 accredited providers worldwide. She continues to champion crew education through industry collaborations, working groups, and global yachting events.

Ludovico Ruggiero is an Industrial PhD candidate at Politecnico di Milano, conducting his research in collaboration with Sanlorenzo S.p.A. His work, aligned with the Water Revolution Foundation's YACHT 2030 framework, focuses on developing strategies and tools to effectively integrate Life Cycle Design principles and embed sustainability from the earliest stages of yacht design.

PhD candidate

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

I started my career in sound post-production studios in London and Paris before joining Trinnov Audio in 2010. Driven by a lifelong passion for sound, I’ve since worked closely with Trinnov’s teams and partners to develop products and solutions used in studios, high-end home audio, and commercial cinemas worldwide. Today, I lead Trinnov’s global sales and product development, helping advance how we understand and experience sound.

Sales 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

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

R & D Director

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

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

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

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

Idan Cohen founded Pick A Pier in 2017 to create a digital infrastructure that helps marinas optimize resources, boost profitability, and enhance sustainability. As Chairman of IMIA, he leads marine innovation initiatives. Pick A Pier now partners with marinas in over 10 countries, driving efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Founder & CEO

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 the Design Office

Co-founder

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.

Managing Director | Global Superyacht Lead

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

Jennifer Johnston Smith is the Commercial Director and co-founder of SHADOWCAT, the premier bespoke-only developer of award-winning Yacht Support Vessels. She has been instrumental in shaping the SHADOWCAT platform around a philosophy of flexibility of purpose, enabling each vessel to serve exploration, science, and conservation as effectively as luxury support.
She helped conceive Sustain, an early concept for sustainable, purpose-driven operations at sea, and continues to lead innovations such as SHADOWCAT’s latest designs featuring dual helipads, full hangar facilities, and accommodation for up to 26 mission personnel. A recognized advocate for sustainable yachting, Jennifer collaborates with global organizations to align private yachting with marine research and environmental advancement.

Commercial Director

Craig Fenton is a business leader, entrepreneur, and investor with a 20-year career at the forefront of technology, media, and innovation. He is the Founder & CEO of Fenton Innovation (Fi), a company specializing in AI automation solutions for enterprise, including AI suites for Private Capital, Travel & Tourism, Marine and an entire Agentic Executive Team which is industry agnostic.
 Prior to founding Fenton Innovation, Craig was the COO of Google UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, Managing Director of Accenture’s TMT division across EMEA and LATAM, and more recently, CEO of New Zealand Rugby Commercial, leading the business of the All Blacks, Black Ferns, and other national teams.
Beyond his corporate leadership, Craig is an author, angel investor, and founder of a record label dedicated to giving creatives from underprivileged backgrounds a platform in music. In 2023, he was honored as UK New Zealander of the Year.  He now splits his time between New Zealand and Europe, helping businesses harness AI for growth and efficiency.
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NMPfkjTbE8VUYxW9fKQrPuLEbLmAXylXYMk6and0BdU/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.274nkp2bfi6r">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NMPfkjTbE8VUYxW9fKQrPuLEbLmAXylXYMk6and0BdU/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.274nkp2bfi6r</a>

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.

Having grown up by the Mediterranean Sea, Guillaume has always been an avid sailor, enjoying both competitive sailing and holiday trips with his children and wife on the family sailboat. After studying business administration in Europe, the US and Japan, he joined the Ford Motor Company where he held positions in Sales, Finance, Marketing and Business Development in Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific, managing teams globally. He then founded his own consulting firms, first in New Caledonia and then in Switzerland, with a focus on business development and restructuring businesses across a variety of industries, including cleantech and waste management. His passion for sailing, his extensive network in the nautical industry, and his awareness of the lack of a viable solution for recycling the fiberglass hulls of end-of-life sailboats led him to co-found Composite Recycling in 2021.

Co-Founder

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

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

Nick Bigeau’s hands-on experience from over 18 years of boatbuilding and aerospace gives him a unique perspective as founder and CTO for the Canadian cleantech startup Resolve Composites. Having a deep passion for the understanding of materials and their use, Nick has acquired an extensive knowledge of end-of-life reuse possibilities with innovative resins and recycling technologies. This material exploration has led him to invent a novel recycling method for composite materials (ReceTT). In a cross-industry collaboration with Siemens Gamesa, Resolve Composites were able to downstream material from wind turbine blade to boat, validating the potential of their ReceTT technology.

Founder and CTO

Kevin M. Williams is a dynamic leader in the recreational boating industry, driving innovative B2B and B2C marketing strategies as the Vice President of North American Marketing for the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Discover Boating consumer brand across the U.S. and Canada. He leads the development of cutting-edge, data-driven campaigns that meet the evolving needs of both consumers and businesses. Kevin plays a pivotal role in expanding the boating sector by empowering association members and forging deeper emotional connections with traditional, next-generation, and diverse consumer segments, all while promoting the vibrant boating lifestyle.
A passionate advocate for inclusivity, Kevin also serves as a board member for Together Outdoors, where he champions efforts to make recreational activities more welcoming to all communities.
Before joining NMMA, Kevin was the Head of Multicultural Marketing and Diversity & Inclusion for BMW of North America, LLC., where he spearheaded campaigns for BMW, MINI Cooper, and BMW Motorrad, while leading diversity initiatives that advanced the company’s supplier diversity and HR strategies. His earlier experience as Executive Vice President at Matlock Advertising & PR saw him elevate BMW’s multicultural marketing efforts and play a key role in securing and managing the MINI USA account.
Kevin's expertise in cultural marketing also includes his tenure at GlobalHue, the largest multicultural agency in the U.S. at the time, where he crafted impactful strategies for clients like Bermuda Tourism and secured a $30 million investment from Verizon Wireless to launch the “How Sweet the Sound” gospel music tour.
Rooted in a lifelong fascination with brand strategy, Kevin’s career began after earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Illinois, Champaign. His early roles at Eastern Airlines and Coca-Cola, where he helped brand Olympic Games properties, laid the foundation for his future marketing leadership.

Vice President, North American Marketing

“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

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

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.'

Director of Vessev USA

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.

Partner

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

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

Head of Marketing

Technical Director

Tenair

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