Forums and debates, B2C and networking moments for the 14th edition.
The fourteenth edition of the YARE – Yachting Aftersales and Refit Experience event has got to its end, with the number of participants exponentially growing.
After the Shipyards District Tour on the first day in one of the most important nautical district in the world, the official kick-off of YARE was held on March 14th, marking a success for over 550 participating operators from all over the world.
The event saw the presence of a delegation of international Captains composed of more than 120 industry professionals, together with companies and professionals in the field, with a special focus on aftersales and refits.
Among the participants, a delegation of Italian and international companies and shipyards, mainly from Spain, Germany, France, Holland and Turkey, specialized in both new builds and refits, which brought an important contribution to the discussion and to the best practices sharing.
Together with them, the experience of those who sail the seas with large sailing and motor vessels and manage crews, refits and navigation around the world.
“Our main reason for participating in YARE is the opportunity that this event generates to immerse ourselves in the global dialogue of yachting – says Captain Dimitris Kouroumalos President of HYCA, Hellenic Yacht Crew Association – this event constitutes a fundamental platform for us, not only to discuss the latest news in terms of innovation and sustainability of leisure boating, but also to share the depth of knowledge and experience: YARE is essential for professional growth and networking, and provides our association with an unprecedented opportunity to foster relationships and collaborate on initiatives that push the boundaries of excellence in leisure boating.”
The day was characterized by moments of discussion and debate thanks to two panels of experts who explored issues of fundamental importance for the industry. YARE Debate, where there was a wide panel of discussion discussion on the environmental impact of yacht fleets composed by Alberto Perrone from Lurssen shipyard, Simon Brearley from Lateral Naval Architects, Gianni Paladino from Lusben, Giorgio Campini from Tecnopool and Matteo Magherini from RINA – and MARE Debate, acronym for Mediterranean Areas of Refit Excellence, a panel of experts from the world of infrastructure, marinas and navigation regions of the eastern and western Mediterranean, which addressed the topic of market changes and the impact that the new shipping territories and strategies outside the Mediterranean will have on the industry. In the MARE panel, in addition to Pietro Angelini, General Manager of NAVIGO, Andrew Muscat Malta – Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) and the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation (MTF), Zoran Martinovski, finance expert and Jerome Cuaz of IGY Marinas.
In the afternoon, the renowned B2C Meet the Captains sessions took place, generating new possibilities for networking and collaboration with the attending Captains.
Over 2000 meetings organized in the speed-date formula, an absolute record for the event.
On the evening of Thursday 14th the prestigious Gala dinner took place at the Pala Todisco, organized in synergy with Seatec/Compotec, always appreciated by international operators.
On Friday 15th YARE has proposed 4 workshops, the Captains Brainstorms, focus groups on the 4 following themes: People – How do we attract and retain better people? Project – How do we plan and manage better refit projects?; Process – How do we create a better tendering and contract process in refits? Planet – How do we reduce our impact by future proofing the fleet?
The last part of the event presents as usual the Passerelle Pitch, a format in which 10 companies present their innovations in 3 minutes to an audience of captains and are voted for the best innovative idea, won by FarSounder.
“YARE 2024 was a record edition and we are satisfied with the results; a demonstration that the refit business is attractive and that the international approach is rewarding” – comments Pietro Angelini.
The next edition of YARE is already scheduled on 12th to 14th March 2025.
