On water parade
Australian Superyacht Rendezvous takes centre stage with global backing
13 December 2017
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Three high-profile global superyachting players – Burgess, IGY Marinas and Benetti – have confirmed their involvement as partners in the second annual Australian Superyacht Rendezvous (ASR), which has been planned to coincide with the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The yachting event will return to the Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard from 20 to 21 April, and feature four major events. There will be a business round-table addressing growth of the industry across the Asia Pacific region, as well as an industry event for superyacht captains, crew and service business operators.
The third event, a “Superyacht Showcase”, will be hosted for event and wedding planners; hotel concierges; travel, tourism and media professionals as a way to familiarise them with the high-quality experience of luxury yachting.
While the finale of the two-day program will be a VIP invitation-only event to bring together superyacht owners, political and business figures, and sponsors in a celebration of the potential for superyachts in the Asia Pacific region.
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The ASR’s venue – the Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard – is the largest facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere, with a capacity for more than 50 superyachts. The marina is home to over 70 onsite marine-related trades and currently employs in excess of 600 marine contractors.
The announcement of the three new partners is expected to put the ASR firmly on the radar of the global yachting industry. Burgess – considered one of the world’s leading full-service yacht brokerage companies for yachts over 30 metres – has confirmed the attendance of its CEO, Jonathan Beckett, at the event. The US-headquartered IGY Marinas is the largest international marina company in the world, with 18 marinas operating in nine countries. Italian yacht builder Benetti, one of the most prolific builders of luxury motor yachts in the world, has confirmed that it expects to display at least one superyacht at the two-day event.
While the inaugural edition of the ASR drew international attention and attendance, the partnership announcement for this trio of industry leaders confirms the global confidence in the potential for Australia’s superyacht industry.
Further partnerships are reportedly in the final stages of negotiation, with additional announcements expected in the near future.
Trenton Gay, CEO of Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard and organiser of the ASR, commented on the news: “These are arguably three of the biggest global players in the superyacht market and to have them backing the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous is a stunning coup for the event and the industry as a whole.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming Burgess, IGY Marinas and Benetti to the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous, giving them first-hand insight into Australia’s potential as a hotspot for superyachts. These companies are passionate about industry collaboration, as well as being involved in this movement to exponentially increase the number of international vessels chartering and cruising in Asia Pacific’s waters.”
Research from industry body Superyacht Australia shows that a single cruising superyacht could be expected to spend up to AU$2.5 million over a 12-month period, which is equivalent to the economic impact and spending of an 1,800-passenger cruise ship.
The inaugural ASR in 2017 saw superyachts with a collective value in excess of AU$150 million gather for three exclusive events over a two-day period. Major returning sponsors already confirmed for 2018’s edition of the ASR include Aurora Yacht Logistics, Adagold Aviation, Aqualuma LED Lighting, City of Gold Coast, Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, Hardy Brothers, Seal Superyachts and Suez.
Ocean Magazine will be supporting the event as the “Major Media Partner”.
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