The Winter Pop-Up 2024 was a resounding success, thanks to the participation of the Cluster Yachting Monaco members and a lineup of incredible speakers who made this year’s event insightful and engaging. Held at the prestigious Yacht Club de Monaco, the event brought together key players from the yachting industry to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in today’s dynamic market.
Key Discussions
The event kicked off with an Open Discussion on the topic, “How Social Media Influences the Yachting Industry.” The panel delved into the growing impact of digital platforms on yacht sales, marketing, and brand awareness. A special thank you goes to Espen Oeino, a renowned naval architect and exterior designer from Espen Oeino International, who expertly moderated the session. Interestingly, Espen Oeino’s company stands out as one of the few without a social media presence, yet continues to thrive—highlighting the diversity of strategies within the industry.
The panel featured notable experts such as:
- Katia Damborsky, Superyacht Editor at BOAT International Media
- David Seal, broker from Northrop & Johnson and the voice behind the Yachts for Sale YouTube channel
- Matthijs Rhee (MBA), known as MRSUPERYACHTS on Instagram and a leading Yacht Consultant
- Steve Bailet, Global Marketing Director at IYC – The International Yacht Company
These distinguished speakers provided invaluable insights on how social media is reshaping the way the yachting world communicates and engages with its audience.
Panel on Safety and Regulatory Complexities
The second panel focused on an equally important topic: “Navigating Safety and Regulatory Complexities in Modern Yachting.” With a growing emphasis on safety and environmental responsibility in the industry, the discussion shed light on regulatory challenges and best practices to ensure smooth sailing for modern yachts.
Special thanks to Katia Damborsky for providing an in-depth look at this year’s accident data, with insights from Boat Pro, as well as to our panel of experts who shared their wealth of knowledge, including:
- Richard Janssen, Managing Director of SMIT Salvage
- Eduard Henny, Cayman Representative & Surveyor of Ships, Cayman Islands Shipping Registry
- Michelle Van der Merwe, Yacht Insurance Account Manager from Pantaenius Yacht Insurance
- Edouard Mousny, Partner at GORDON S. BLAIR LAW OFFICES
- Giorgio Gallo, Yachting Area Manager for the West Mediterranean Sea at RINA
- Philipp Leube, Technical Yacht Consultant from Leube&RO
Networking and Collaboration
The event concluded with a vibrant networking cocktail, sponsored by Maison del Gusto Super Yacht Provisioning, allowing attendees to exchange ideas and forge new collaborations in a relaxed atmosphere.
This year’s Winter Pop-Up 2024 was not only a platform for sharing industry knowledge but also a hub for networking and collaboration. Special thanks to Carmel van der Weide, Cluster Project Manager, for organizing such a remarkable event. We look forward to the next gathering at the Yacht Club de Monaco, where more exciting discussions and partnerships are sure to unfold.