The Superyacht Design Symposium – Post Event Wrap

November 7, 2008

Following the excellent feedback from Superyacht owners and senior members of the yachting industry both speaking at and attending the inaugural Superyacht Design Symposium, Boat International Media are pleased to announce that the event will take place annually. The next Superyacht Design Symposium will take place in New York on the 26th and the 27th October 2009.

The inaugural Superyacht Design Symposium last week embraced a new concept in conference – by superyacht owners, for superyacht owners. Literally handing the microphone to the owners, the two day conference provided delegates with a special mix of personal experience, professional expertise and lively debate led by prominent owners, designers, yards and key members of the superyacht industry.

For the first time ever superyacht owners took to the platform to share their personal experiences of creating, managing and delivering complex and ground breaking new build projects which today are recognised as some of the world’s most magnificent yachts.

The select gathering of 170 delegates for the two day event comprised of:

Many superyacht owners including Tom Perkins of S/Y Maltese Falcon, Kim Vibe-Petersen of S/Y Parsifal III, Jan-Eric Österlund of S/Y Adele, Eric Wittouck of M/Y Exuma and Michael Bradfield.

A dozen yacht designers including Ed Dubois, Martin Francis , Ron Holland, Bill Tripp, William Collier GL Watson and Sparkman & Stephens, members of RINA and the 2008 Winner of The Camper & Nicholson Young Designer Award, Fadi Pataq.

International Shipyards represented included Giancarlo Ragnetti – CEO Perini Navi, Tony Hambrook of Alloy Yachts, Alice Huisman of Royal Huisman, Jay Miner of Delta Marine, Wim Koersvelt of ICON, Timur Mohamed of Palmer Johnson, along with representatives from Blohm & Voss, Fincantieri Yachts, Burger Boat Company, Raffles Yacht Builder, and SYBASS.

Senior industry spokesmen from High Modulus, Delta Marine, Standard Hydrogen and Rolls Royce evoked hot debate and questions as they discussed issues in construction and design that will unquestionably shape the future of the superyacht industry.

Following the champagne networking cocktail at Harold Pratt House, the sponsor and speaker dinner at the pre-opening of Rouge Tomate gave guests the opportunity to meet in a relaxed environment after a busy day.

“All the things they talked about yesterday afternoon; we’ve ticked off all those boxes,”. “I was really chuffed.” Michael Bradfield, Superyacht Owner

“A perfectly organized symposium where I know you dedicated strong efforts on the organisation. I have to say that such appointments are really useful for all us in the business.” Giancarlo Ragnetti – CEO Perini Navi

“I was very surprised to find so many senior people attending, it is of great interest to me to meet so many new owners. I benefit by learning about different owner’s needs and demands when considering a new yacht.” Philippe Briand – Designer Vitruvius project