How profitable was final yr’s present, contemplating the changes to the structure as a result of renovation programme?
The 2024 version was an actual success, each by way of customer attendance and exhibitor satisfaction. After all, the renovation of Vieux Port (Outdated Port) meant we needed to make main changes to the house organisation and distribution, however we anticipated as a lot as potential to restrict the affect on the general expertise.
Our exhibitors had been actually understanding and confirmed unbelievable collaborative spirit. As for guests, they got here in massive numbers and had been complimentary about how the route flowed regardless of the constraints. The present’s organising groups took up the problem brilliantly and it will likely be the identical once more in 2025.
Because the renovation and upgrades are persevering with, how will the structure differ at this yr’s present?
This yr, there received’t be a lot change to the present’s structure, which stays organised by sector and by sort of boat. The affect of this second yr of labor is by way of the logistics we have to put in place to construct the exhibition and its infrastructure, whereas additionally welcoming our exhibitors and getting their stands arrange.
It’s an actual problem for us. We’ve needed to fully rethink our organisation. The exhibition has been divided into massive areas – which every have a logistics supervisor – to enhance automobile visitors circulation and allow our technical groups and exhibitors to get as shut as potential to unload their tools. This new organisation has been made potential because of working intently with the Metropolis and the managers of Vieux Port and the works.
Do you continue to anticipate the same old quantity exhibitors and yachts?
Registrations are nonetheless being made, however we’re once more heading in the direction of an version that’s very near the present’s most capability, with greater than 600 exhibitors and round 700 boats anticipated at each ports. It is a sturdy indicator of how engaging the Cannes Yachting Pageant is.
How are various kinds of boats being separated?
The present remains to be structured round two websites that complement one another: Vieux Port and Port Canto, every devoted to well-defined yachting worlds. Vieux Port remains to be the house port for the motorboat trade and within the water we’ll have 350 new boats from 12-45m – monohulls and multihulls, with inflexible or semi-rigid hulls – exhibited by the best names in French and worldwide yachting. The in-water yachts are exhibited alongside boat tools producers and repair firms.
Giant in-water yachts can be moored of their common places on the Jetée and the Tremendous Yachts Extension. All of the motor multihulls can be grouped collectively within the Energy Cat Village on Quai Max Laubeuf to showcase the sort of boat, which extra guests are asking for.
The 12-16m motorboats of varied sorts – together with new technology quick and designer fashions, in addition to numerous medium-sized open and flybridge motor boats – can be exhibited within the different a part of Quai Max Laubeuf, on Quai Saint-Pierre and on the Pantiero.
Indoors, within the Palais des Festivals, guests will discover the turbine boats, massive yacht tools producers, and uncover all of the totally different locations of the marinas and flags introduced.
Port Canto, to the east, welcomes the world of crusing with 120 new boats from 10-25m, and can be dwelling to the present’s brokerage part, which has 50 or so pre-owned yachts from 25m upwards. Port Canto additionally has the dynamic Energy Boat Marina, with 170 inflexible or semi-rigid boats as much as 12-13m.
This meets a sharply rising demand for high-performance, compact and versatile boats, usually outfitted with the newest technological improvements. On land, the quays can be occupied by crusing tools producers, engine producers and lots of toys, as earlier than.
This organisation permits guests to simply discover out concerning the newest tendencies, in line with what they’re on the lookout for, their wants or initiatives, whereas having fun with the backdrop that Cannes gives. Though we don’t have a selected sector devoted to electrical boats, guests will have the ability to discover a number of in Vieux Port as many boat builders are presenting their newest fashions with electrical propulsion. In Port Canto, some fashions within the Crusing Space and the Energy Boat Marina can have hybrid propulsion.
Are there any sectors or sizes of boats that seem like rising in recognition?
We’re seeing sturdy demand within the motorised multihull phase and within the 8-12m boats exhibited within the Energy Boat Marina, in addition to rising curiosity in electrical or hybrid fashions, reflecting the transition that’s underway within the yachting trade.
Additionally, regardless of the present having an identical variety of boats to earlier years, we’re having to extend the in-water exhibition space as a result of the dimensions of boats is rising in most sectors.
How are you creating the entrances for this yr’s present, in addition to the ocean shuttle providers between Vieux Port and Port Canto?
Continuity within the boat present organisation and sectorisation stays a precedence to enhance the customer journey, by selling every boat class and the tools related to it. The intention is to make sure the very best circulation and a whole, seamless path in every of the 2 ports. We’re altering the primary entrance to Vieux Port, which can be positioned by the ocean alongside the ‘Majestic seaside’, permitting us to develop the realm devoted to onshore tenders.
On account of buyer suggestions, the capability of each the small and huge sea shuttles has been considerably elevated, by 25 per cent. We’ve additionally improved the sleek operating of individuals getting on and off by having extra workers on land. This makes it potential to optimise how full every shuttle is earlier than it departs.
The improved transfers between Vieux Port and Port Canto will allow ready instances to be considerably diminished, particularly throughout peak instances, and can present a smoother and extra gratifying expertise for guests.
Are you able to clarify extra concerning the Innovation Route launched final yr?
The Innovation Route highlights essentially the most important technological and environmentally-friendly advances within the yachting trade. Via particular signage, guests will have the ability to simply establish initiatives that make technological breakthroughs for a extra accountable and sustainable trade.
The yachting trade, like many different enterprise sectors, is having to take care of main environmental challenges and the necessity to meet decarbonisation wants. As such, the Innovation Route brings collectively modern options within the areas of engines, propulsion, waste administration, eco-design, vitality optimisation, recyclable composite supplies and rather more.
This initiative goals to focus on the efforts our exhibitors are making to construct the way forward for the yachting sector. Guests will uncover improvements comparable to extra environmentally-friendly engines, recyclable resins and work on composites, in addition to designs optimised for aerodynamics and connectivity, making certain better effectivity. The Innovation Route is an unmissable a part of the present for anybody wanting to know how yachting is evolving in the direction of a extra sustainable and accountable trade.
What are you able to inform us concerning the present’s ongoing dedication to being more and more eco-friendly and sustainable?
From the start to the tip of the Pageant, we make exhibitors as conscious of ecological points as potential.
As an organiser, we act in concrete phrases by organising webinars upfront with reminders of the significance of accountable options, lowering printed media, choosing service suppliers who use recyclable or sustainable supplies, vegetarian choices supplied systematically by caterers with native and seasonal merchandise, and implementing a strengthened sorting plan for exhibitor waste throughout the construct, present and breakdown.
It is a international, gradual strategy that the entire staff carries out to help the sector’s transformation. Throughout breakdown, our associate GreenBee is on the present to help our exhibitors in managing their waste and to get better as a lot materials as potential, which is able to then be donated to organisations for recycling. This consists of all wooden, the brushed cotton for the tents, the carpets on the aisles, and so forth.
Beneteau plans to host a number of world premieres at this yr’s Cannes Yachting Pageant, whereas the Lagoon Eighty 2 crusing cat will even be a significant debut. How intently do you cooperate with Groupe Bénéteau, which often has one of many largest shows by way of variety of boats?
Groupe Bénéteau is likely one of the historic, unmissable exhibitors on the Cannes Yachting Pageant. Throughout all its manufacturers, the Group can be exhibiting greater than 45 fashions this yr. We’re in fixed and constructive dialogue with the groups to reply to their requests and accommodate their many manufacturers and boats as finest as potential.
Annually, the spectacular presence – each by way of variety of boats and world premieres – demonstrates how strategically vital the Cannes Yachting Pageant is for the Group. We work intently collectively to make sure the very best presentation of their new merchandise and to offer a high-quality expertise for guests. We work intently with every of our exhibitors to finest meet their expectations and provide them an appropriate exhibition space.
Constance Brément spent 11 years with Groupe Beneteau earlier than becoming a member of the Cannes Yachting Pageant as Deputy Director earlier this yr. How important was her appointment?
The arrival of Constance marked an vital transition section for the Cannes Yachting Pageant. Her appointment marks a robust need to make sure continuity within the present’s administration whereas additionally bringing new momentum to it. Constance has an intensive understanding of the nautical world, mixed with a wealth of expertise in strategic advertising and the client expertise.
Since she joined us, she has been actively concerned in all facets of the venture: exhibitor relations, staff coordination, managing key moments, and so forth. We work in tandem, in a spirit of constructing the boat present collectively and handover. It’s an actual pleasure to have the ability to work along with her on this version earlier than I depart.
With the solar setting in your time as Director, how are you feeling about this yr’s present?
The 2025 version is especially symbolic for me as it will likely be the final one which I’ll have the honour of managing. The previous couple of years have been wealthy, demanding and thrilling. I’ve been lucky sufficient to help the present’s development, see it develop, reinvent itself, and open to new challenges comparable to innovation and the ecological transition.
I’m pleased with the journey I’ve taken with the groups, companions and dependable exhibitors, and I’m certain Constance will make sure the continuity of the Cannes Yachting Pageant and that it’s going to proceed to have an in depth presence on the worldwide yachting scene for a few years.
For extra infromation go to cannesyachtingfestival.com
This text was first seen on YACHT STYLE.
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