Metstrade momentum
Metstrade 2024 recorded the show’s highest attendance to date, setting the stage for further growth at the trade-only event.
30 November 2024
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The 36th edition of Metstrade, the world’s leading trade show for leisure marine equipment, systems, and materials, closed on 21 November 2024, achieving its highest attendance figures to date.
Held at RAI Amsterdam, the three-day trade-only event spanned 12 halls, hosting close to 1,600 exhibitors. Over three days, it recorded 31,824 visits, representing 19,779 unique attendees from 134 countries. These numbers mark a 10 percent rise in visits and a six percent increase in unique visitors compared to the previous record set in 2023.
Metstrade continues to serve as a key platform for the global leisure marine industry, attracting a diverse audience, including yacht builders, naval architects, refit yards, distributors, dealers, wholesalers, marina owners, captains and marine equipment manufacturers.
Metstrade is organised by RAI Amsterdam in collaboration with the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), and the event remains a vital space for networking, and showcasing innovations.
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This year, Metstrade further expanded its offering with the integration of The Superyacht Forum, which was held under its management for the first time. The forum, which took place on 18 and 19 November, welcomed 700 delegates and was fully booked.
The Yacht Racing Forum also debuted, running from 20 to 22 November in partnership with World Sailing.
“The Metstrade team is to be congratulated for bringing in more customers on each day of the show. That’s a phenomenal effort,” says Joe Lynch, CEO of ICOMIA.
“Attending Metstrade is inspiring, productive and educational. You see great examples of innovations in the world of technology, safety, electronics, electrics and the many other facets of our industry that are improving the customer experience.
“I was particularly inspired this year by the show content that was focused on connecting with new audiences – something that is so important to the marine leisure sector.”
Lynch also underscores the collaborative value of the event. “It is also motivating when you see the industry gather in one place,” he says.
“There are different challenges wherever we work in the world. Metstrade provides the opportunity to unite and make the industry better for everybody by collaborating, communicating and committing to work together.”
Metstrade Director Niels Klarenbeek has outlined plans for further growth in 2025. “The excellent results of this year’s show provide a confident foundation on which to base ambitious plans for 2025,” he explains.
“I’m pleased to announce that Metstrade will expand into hall 8, which will add around 10,000-metres-squared of space. This will enable us to eliminate the current waiting list for The Superyacht Pavilion, provide options for exhibitors seeking more stand space and open a circular route around Metstrade halls to improve the visitor experience.
“There are further exciting initiatives in the pipeline that we will unveil in coming months.”
Klarenbeek also announced a rebranding effort to reflect Metstrade’s evolving role. “Given the significant enhancements made to Metstrade in recent editions we are introducing an up-to-date brand image to reflect where we are today.
“Metstrade has evolved from a trade show into a global platform driving the leisure marine industry forward. Our rebrand will reflect this growth and our commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and long-term success across the marine leisure industry. Our new payoff – Propelling Growth. Harbouring Innovation. – summarises exactly what Metstrade is all about.”
The next edition of Metstrade takes place from 18 to 20 November 2025, with The Superyacht Forum preceding it on 17 and 18 November.
As Amsterdam prepares to celebrate its 750th anniversary the same year, Metstrade 2025 promises to be the largest edition yet.
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