Feb 25, 2020
Having organised the most successful METSTRADE to date last November, Irene Dros, director of METSTRADE at RAI Amsterdam, has now chosen to seek a new challenge in her career. Dros has overseen an unparalleled growth of the B2B event over the past 18 years, during which time it has become globally recognised as the number one meeting point for the leisure marine industry. From 714 exhibitors in 2001, the 32nd edition in 2019 welcomed almost 2,000 participants from 53 countries, while the number of visits totalled 26,984 from 122 countries.
“Having worked for the world’s greatest trade show for almost two decades, the time has come for me to move from METSTRADE to a new challenge,” says Irene Dros. “I am honoured to have played my part in organising this platform and I have enjoyed investing lots of energy into its growth. Over the past 18 years I have had the privilege of working with an exceptional team of dedicated professionals who inspired me to keep raising the bar every edition. Together we proved that combining knowledge and enthusiasm with passion for a product can move mountains. With a visitor appreciation of 8.7 in 2019, I could not be prouder of what we have achieved and I am now ready to focus on a new adventure.”
“We are exceptionally grateful to Irene for all that she has done,” says Bas Dalm, Executive Vice President Exhibition & Sales RAI Amsterdam. “Her boundless energy, passion and dedication to the industry have really put METSTRADE on the map. Irene established an amazing network and brought together stakeholders from across the globe. We wish her all the very best in the next stage of her career.”
The METSTRADE team aims to continue the growth and quality standard achieved by Irene and RAI Amsterdam will be looking for a worthy successor to achieve this. Until that time Bas Dalm and Senior Exhibition Manager Sarah Westdijk will hold the fort, while Junior Exhibition Manager Eline Heemstra will continue as the first point of contact for the trade associations.
WE WILL PUBLISH YOUR MARINE INDUSTRY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR FREE!
As we start January of 2021, we wanted to remind our Boating Industry Canada News Week Digest readers that we plan to continue posting your marine industry career opportunities at no charge, as a service to the industry.
More and more marine industry employers are looking for technicians, parts people, sales and marketing professionals, yacht brokers and boat builders. There have been career opportunities for Government employees and just about any position you could imagine in the recreational boating industry.
Read More

Every Tuesday we publish a fresh Digest with informative articles pertaining to the Canadian boating and marine industry. Stay up to date with the latest products, research and industry developments.
Missed an Issue of Boating Industry Canada News Week? If you're looking for a specific issue, or simply want to catch up on previous issues, check out our Boating Industry Canada News Week Archives.
Not signed up for News Week? Subscribe here.
IRIS INNOVATIONS LAUNCHES NEW CMAC RANGE OF ON-BOARD CAMERA AND ALARM MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Iris Innovations, specializing in affordable on-board camera security and situational awareness systems, has announced the launch of the industry’s first, fully-integrated command and control system for boat cameras and alarms – CMAC, as well as IrisControl, a new HTML5 application to run on OneHelm™, a third-party application platform by Garmin®.
Compatible with both analogue IP and HD cameras, Iris CMAC combines all of the main elements of a full-featured security and control system into a very stylish enclosure, complete with high-end waterproof connectors and wood-effect end caps.
Read More
THOM DAMMRICH TAKES THE HELM OF CENTER FOR SPORTFISHING POLICY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Center for Sportfishing Policy (CSP), the nation’s leading advocate for saltwater recreational anglers, is pleased to announce its new chairman of the board of directors, Dr. Thom Dammrich. Dammrich was elected to succeed Robert “Bob” Hayes in the leadership role at CSP’s fall board meeting on Thursday, December 3. The board also elected Dave Pfeiffer, president of Shimano North America Fishing, to lead its Management Committee as chairman.
“Thom Dammrich is a visionary founder of CSP who saw the opportunity to unite the recreational fishing and boating industries through our organization 15 years ago, and he has been our biggest cheerleader...
Read More