July 17, 2016

ICOMIA World Marinas Conference 2016 and METSTRADE’s Marina & Yard Pavilion

Amsterdam will be the place to be for the worldwide marina industry in November. The Marina & Yard Pavilion – part of the METSTRADE Show, the world’s premier B2B exhibition for marine equipment and a success story in its own right – will overlap with the renowned ICOMIA World Marinas Conference. The METSTRADE Show will take place from 15 to 17 November, while the World Marinas Conference runs from 17 to 19 November, both in RAI Amsterdam.

Marina & Yard pavilion at the METSTRADE show

As the world’s premier international exhibition for marine equipment, the METSTRADE Show provides a platform for almost 1,400 exhibitors from over 40 countries to showcase their products to more than 22,000 visitors. It combines new products, seminars and unrivalled networking opportunities for visitors to connect across countries, technologies and industry sectors.

In addition to a wide range of country pavilions, METSTRADE Show features three thematic pavilions that represent smaller self-contained shows within the larger concept. One of these is the Marina & Yard Pavilion (MYP), which has become the annual meeting place for professionals in the marina and yard construction and management sector over the past decade. Over 50 exhibitors have already registered for the 2016 edition – more than last year’s final total – with others expected to join in the weeks ahead (see exhibitor list on metstrade.com).

The future of marinas highlighted during the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference

At the 2016 METSTRADE Show the MYP will also play host to the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference (IWMC), which will deliver an innovative programme of topics, speakers and events under the theme ‘The future of marinas in a changing world’. Highlights include marina development (new ideas/trends and the refurbishment of aged marinas), regulations (water planning regimes & zones, concessions & financing, environmental legislation), management and operations (innovative solutions, staffing and training, marketing and customer care) and cooperation between the public and private sectors.

The conference will consist of three days of activities highlighting innovation, inspiration, best practices and market solutions, providing attendees with the tools required to get ahead in the global marina industry. Despite being some four months away, the top sponsor positions have already been occupied by market leaders. The Platinum sponsor is marina builder Marinetek, while Poralu, Seaflex and D-Marin are Gold sponsors. Four other companies have registered for a Silver package and two for a Bronze package.

All in one area

To maximise opportunities this November, these two marina industry hotspots will be located next to each other in the RAI Convention Centre: the ICOMIA WMC will be organised in the Amtrium complex while the MYP is located in the adjacent Hall 5. This exclusive combination will offer a one-stop shop available to thousands of METSTRADE visitors and some 300 conference delegates. It will be the optimal networking opportunity, with the experience enhanced by dedicated side events, such as a tour of several of the finest marinas in the Netherlands as well as a gala dinner. All events will be geared towards building new relationships and improving existing ones.

Meet your peers from around the world

This exceptional combination will represent one of the most exciting events the international marina industry has seen in years. Visitors can meet hundreds of like-minded peers from around the world and enjoy an impressive line-up of speakers consisting of leading experts from the international marina industry. They will gain an overview of scores of marina related companies and updates on the latest innovations and most recent developments within the industry.

There are also many secondary benefits to the Dutch backdrop of the two events: the Netherlands is one of the countries in the world where recreational sailing is the most common and related facilities the most developed. A marina tour will include some of the best Dutch state-of-the-art marinas. And, of course, there is the inimitable backdrop provided by the architecture and facilities of the city of Amsterdam.