3 minute read
Monaco Yacht Show 2020
Monaco Yacht Show
COVID-19 PUSHES BACK MONACO YACHT SHOW 30 TH ANNIVERSARY
PREVIEW POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19
THE INDUSTRY’S LARGEST SHOW ON THE YACHTING CALENDAR CONFIRMS POSTPONEMENT OF THE EVENT UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2021
It was meant to be a landmark year in 2020 for the Monaco Yacht Show. Recognised the world over as the most glamorous event on the yachting calendar, it is where new builds are launched, concepts are unveiled and owners flock to buy. But with the onset of global travel bans in the wake of Covid-19, both the event itself and its momentous 30th anniversary celebrations have been put on hold for another year.
The show’s organisers, Informa Markets, which boasts more than 400 international B2B events and brands, has reportedly been in “constant discussions” with stakeholders and partners within the international superyacht industry ever since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Joint decisions Early indications that the show may not go ahead came in May of this year when both SYBAss and LYBRA pulled out of the running. In a publicised letter that was sent to Informa, both organisations were said to have “doubts over the safety of the show, the ability and/or willingness for clients to attend and whether the show is appropriate within the context of the global pandemic”.
Despite this setback, Informa reported that a low-density not-for-profit version of the show would still run. However, following discussions with owners, shipyards, brokers and other key participants the decision has now been made that the “disruption of Covid-19” is too severe.
A press release from Informa states: “With much of the superyacht fleet currently located in the US and Caribbean and the normal calendar of activity severely disrupted, it has been agreed that it is in the industry’s best interests to postpone the delivery of a top quality, prestige experience 30th edition of the Monaco Yacht Show next year, in September 2021, rather than September 2020.” Looking to 2021 The decision to postpone Monaco 2020 is said to have been made in accordance with the Principality itself, which is directly affected both logistically and financially by the annual event. Instead, all parties are reported to have agreed to “focus their efforts and energy on supporting the International Yachting Community through Informa Markets’ US brands, including the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show”.
At the time of SuperYacht Industry going to press, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which is scheduled to take place in October, remains on course for a 2020 event. All borders and seaports across America remain open, and the show anticipates 900 boats to be on display, including 100 superyachts. However, amid fears of a global second spike and as levels of active cases of coronavirus continue to rise throughout the United States it remains to be seen whether the 2020 show will remain viable.
“Like many other industries, the international superyachting community has experienced significant disruption in 2020”, says Charlie McCurdy, Chief Executive of Informa Markets. “As we move to the other side of Covid-19, we are remaining agile in how we are supporting our partners and customers, flexing our events calendar, adapting products and providing digital alternatives where beneficial to best meet the needs of international communities through this difficult period.”
He added: “To this end, we are focusing our efforts in the latter part of the year on delivering a strong platform to showcase the industry at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late October, with the Monaco Yacht Show now set to return in style in September 2021, when it will celebrate its 30 th Anniversary.”
