A return to stellar form at METSTRADE 2022.
November saw the last of the 2022 season of European yacht shows take place as the leisure marine and superyacht industries descended over three days. 17,417 unique visitors from 126 nationalities visited Amsterdam for a busier than ever edition of the world’s largest Marine supplier show and industry professionals gathered from across the globe for meetings, networking and much-missed socialising. 400 exhibitors from 49 countries across 10 halls at Amsterdam’s RAI were there with every facet of marine equipment, systems and materials on show.
The pavilions were packed, auditoriums full and an almost elated mood took over as key trends emerged.
Awards
Design and innovation were honoured at the DAME design awards, the 2022 winners being the Ocean Signal RescueME PLB3 AIS Personal Locator Beacon.
The Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement saw Horizon Yachts’ John Lu honoured for Lifetime Achievement, Garrett Koschak from Manitou Pontoon Boats and Hayley Spencer from Princess Yachts named as 2022’s Rising Stars. The Islander Magazine will feature an interview with Hayley in the February edition.
Superyacht Forum
Pertinent issues and ideas were dissected across supporting programs at the 30th edition of the SuperYacht Forum Live, International HISWA Symposium, HISWA Marina Symposium and NMEA. Sustainability continued to be a key focus and the implementation of cutting-edge greener technologies to drive the industry forward. A surprise visit by Extinction Rebellion to a Superyacht Forum hosted talk certainly provided more food for thought at the Evolve or Repeat themed series as Martin Redmayne invited the climate change protesters, to address their concerns to the gathered audience of superyacht industry professionals.
…premiering in movie theaters and on board your yacht!Â
Among the numerous new and notable launches at METSTRADE, Dutch AV solutions company Mr. Smith announced a partnership with Filmbankmedia to provide legal early-release film content – a first for the industry. Meaning that yacht guests can stream the newest movies onboard on the same day they would be released in cinemas.
Green timber thinking
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) launched the Yachting for Forests initiative coordinated by FSC Denmark and supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and is set to ensure a higher uptake of sustainable timber in the yachting industry by promoting sustainable tropical timber alternatives.
Positive conclusion
After the show closed, Niels Klarenbeek, Maritime Director of METSTRADE, said: “There has been an incredible amount of work happening behind the scenes this year. We wanted to ensure that METSTRADE was completely fit for purpose in resuming its critical role as the epicentre for the whole global marine leisure sector during three very busy days in Amsterdam. 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. 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.”
By Lucie Gardiner
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