Max momentum

He continued, “The feedback we have received suggests those efforts have paid off, with exhibitors and visitors able to take maximum advantage of meeting up together again.”

Interestingly, 23 percent of all visiting professionals were in the 18 to 35 age bracket. Their presence was nurtured and supported through METSTRADE’s Young Professionals Club with its dedicated lounge, industry meet and greet sessions and show tours.

Career development was also celebrated by many other initiatives across the show including the sponsored visits by Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) of their 2021 and 2022 Apprentices of the Year and the naming of two very bright Rising Stars from the USA and UK in the IBI-METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards, organised in association with Raymarine.

In a glittering night under the stars at Amsterdam’s National Maritime Museum, the breadth of the industry’s talent was highlighted including a Lifetime Achievement Award for the founder and CEO of Taiwanese motor yacht manufacturer Horizon Yachts, John Lu, and joint Designer of the Year awards for Tony Castro Yacht Design and Sea Ray’s first ever female design team – Carrie Fodor and Kristin McGinnis.

In a first for the show, day two commenced with a breakfast networking and panel Women in Marine Industry event, in co-operation with industry trade body British Marine and B2B publication Soundings Trade Only. More than 120 female and male professionals delegates gathered at the METSTRADE Theatre to meet up and engage with a lively debate with women working in senior marine leisure leadership roles across the USA and Europe.

“It was incredible to witness large numbers of visitors gathering even before the show opened each morning and to hear the buzz of conversations and business being made around the many stands and meeting spaces right across the show,” said Klarenbeek.

The METSTRADE Theatre saw a busy series of presentations including new technologies and the drive towards a more sustainable sector. Right alongside the theatre, products from 48 winners and nominees of this year’s DAME Design Awards provided plenty inspiration for the many visitors. There was also a new Superyacht Sustainability Route.

METSTRADE also saw the welcome full return of associated programmes from partners including the 30th anniversary of the SuperYacht Forum Live, International HISWA Symposium, HISWA Marina Symposium and NMEA. Their conferences featured strong themes around using new technology to appeal to latest generation audiences and creating a more sustainable future.

Sarah Anghel, President of ICOMIA stated: “The partnership we have with METSTRADE gets stronger every year. We weathered the storm of COVID by working closely together and we have much to celebrate now with such a high level of quality attendance and business made at this year’s show.

“We are also pleased to see the ongoing growth of our members’ national pavilions across the halls of RAI Amsterdam, further increasing the tangible value of marine industry associations as they represent and support the global leisure marine sector.”

Klarenbeek continued: “It provides the very best springboard for METSTRADE 2023, which for next year commences on Wednesday 15 November and runs through to Friday 17 November. We already keenly await the opportunity to warmly welcome the whole sector back then as we continue to build on this essential date in the international yachting calendar.”

The annual Boat Builder Awards, organised by IBI and METSRADE and held during the exhibition, celebrated top talent, innovations and business achievements across the leisure marine industry.

The eighth edition of the Boat Builder Awards received 99 accepted nominations, with 32 companies from 16 countries named as finalists, from which 13 winners and two Honourable Mentions were named. The gala dinner and awards ceremony was held Tuesday 15 November 2022, marking a spectacular return to the historic amphitheatre of the Amsterdam Maritime Museum’s starlit covered courtyard.

IBI Editor and chair of the Boat Builder Awards judges, Ed Slack, commented: “Tonight, we have celebrated many important achievements across the world of boatbuilding and it was great to do so once again in Amsterdam at the National Maritime Museum – the spiritual home of the Boat Builder Awards.

“Since we were last gathered in this venue, we’ve all experienced COVID, lockdowns, supply chain mayhem, war in the Ukraine, and an ongoing economic roller-coaster ride.

“We’ve seen our industry adapt and flex in the face of adversity. It’s fitting that we were able to celebrate the brilliant responses of boatbuilders and their valued partners to these challenges in a place with such a great maritime heritage.”

“The endeavours of all shortlisted companies and individuals will surely be viewed in years to come as historically important foundations for our future. Our congratulations to everyone who entered and especially to those who were honoured this evening.”

Winners, Honourable Mentions, and shortlisted companies at BBA 2022

Retail Marketing Initiative (sponsored by ePropulsion)

WINNER – Astondoa – 677 Coupe launch and social media interior design campaign

SHORTLISTED – BRP – Manitou Pontoon Boats multi-channel launch

SHORTLISTED – De Antonio Yachts – Partnership with Cupra

Collaborative Solution between a Production Boat Builder and its Supply Chain Partner (sponsored by Ultraflex)

WINNER – Fairline Yachts and Lippert Marine Group Europe – Fairline 68 Squadron side access door

SHORTLISTED – Aquila and Sino Yachts – Close collaboration to overcome disruptive events

SHORTLISTED – Beneteau Group and Sailectron / SOLBIAN Solar – Lagoon 51 photovoltaic system

Collaborative Solution between a Superyacht Builder and its Supply Chain Partner (sponsored by Propspeed)

WINNER – Benetti Yachts and Siemens Energy – Benetti B.Yond 37M hybrid solution

HONOURABLE MENTION – Amer Yachts and Simrad Yachting – Green Assistant system

SHORTLISTED – Numarine and Lippert Marine Group Europe – Patio doors for Numarine 37XP

SHORTLISTED – Sanlorenzo and ABA Yacht – Floating door system

Innovative On-board Design Solution (sponsored by Fusion)

WINNER – BRP – Manitou Pontoon Boats new generation design features

SHORTLISTED – Azimut Yachts – Grande 26M design features

SHORTLISTED – Balance Catamarans – Versa-Helm

SHORTLISTED – Ferretti Yachts – X-AID Adaptive Integrated Docking System

SHORTLISTED – Sanlorenzo – SD110 design features

SHORTLISTED – Sunseeker International – 100 Yacht design features

Environmental Improvement in Manufacturing Process (sponsored by High Pressure Watermakers)

WINNER – Beneteau Group – Integration of bio-sourced materials and recyclable resin at scale

SHORTLISTED – Baltic Yachts – Sustainability strategies

SHORTLISTED – Boston Whaler – Fully recyclable GRP boat R&D

Eco-focused Boat of the Year (sponsored by Marine Resources)

WINNER – Northern Lights Composites – Ecoracer

HONOURABLE MENTION – Spirit Yachts – Spirit 30

SHORTLISTED – IMPACD Boats – 3D printed sustainable boat

Designer of the Year (sponsored by Confindustria Nautica)

JOINT WINNER – Carrie Fodor and Kristin McGinnis – Sea Ray

JOINT WINNER – Tony Castro Yacht Design

Best Apprenticeship or Training Scheme

JOINT WINNER – Riviera Australia – Apprentice training program

JOINT WINNER – Sunseeker International – Technical apprenticeships and graduate training

SHORTLISTED – MAST Academy – apprenticeship program

2022 Rising Stars (Sponsored by Lumishore)

Garrett Koschak – Manitou Pontoon Boats

Hayley Spencer – Princess Yachts

Lifetime Achievement 2022 (Sponsored by Sleipner)

John Lu – Horizon Yachts

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