More than 150 yachting professionals from all over the world are expected to attend the 4th Asia-Pacific Superyacht Conference, which is held two days before the Singapore Yacht Show – Asia’s first superyacht-focused boat show. Running at ONE 15 Marina Club from the 25th – 26th April, this year’s conference hosts an international line-up of speakers as well as panellists who will discuss a range of topics and offer key market insight to delegates looking to grow their businesses in Asia-Pacific.
Fabrizio Scerch from Benetti Yachts will headline day one of the conference by delivering a keynote speech on market entry strategies. Panel discussions will take place throughout the day with representatives from Azimut Grande, Benetti, Feadship Royal Van Lent, Northrop & Johnson, Super Yacht Logistics and HALCYON Group among others. Experts will interact with the audience using a number of presentations and discussions designed to encourage interactive audience participation.
Andy Treadwell, Managing Director of the Singapore Yacht Show, explains: “The Asia Pacific Superyacht Conference is the only forum in this region for superyacht professionals to get together; it’s an essential platform to help further expand the top end of the leisure marine business in Asia. The conference is now in its fourth year and is increasingly important as the superyacht industry turns its eye to the opportunities for their businesses in this buoyant region.”
By co-locating the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Conference alongside the Singapore Yacht Show, Treadwell’s proposition is that industry experts have additional opportunities to network, not just with other marine and yacht experts but the opportunity to meet high net worth visitors attending the Singapore Yacht Show, and get a real feel for the requirements of Asian superyacht buyers and owners in this emerging region.
The industry is in agreement: “The Conference provides a strong platform for some of the biggest names in yachting. It offers a great opportunity for the industry to delve deeper into the Asian market. The region is just beginning to realize its potential as a yachting hub and some of the most influential yachting brands are now focusing their attention on Asia,” said Giordano Pellacani, Asia General Manager of Megayacht Division – Azimut Benetti Group, adding, “This will inevitably spur growth in the region, across all elements of the industry. The outlook for Asia is extremely positive.”
Asia has the potential to become one of the most impressive yachting playgrounds in the world, and interest from the West is made manifest by the increasing numbers of superyachts visiting the region and participating in the Singapore Yacht Show.
Tork Buckley, AssocRINA Senior Consultant and founder of Big Blue Consulting, said, “The growth in the region is promising as more yachts are starting start to find permanent berths in Asia. Visiting yachts too are vital, and as a founder and committee member of APSA (Asia Pacific Superyacht Association), I am delighted by the success of events like this which will help us grow those numbers. Asia is a completely different market from the more established Western ones with their long yachting legacy and developed superyacht industry.”
He added, “However, this region is developing quickly by adapting the regional luxury goods culture and aspirations, so superyacht ownership becomes an integral part of that culture. This Conference provides an ideal forum for regional industry experts to share their wealth of knowledge with global brands looking to make headway in Asia.”
Delegates attending the conference include representatives from all areas of the yachting industry such as superyacht owners, captains, designers and builders, through to marina owners, refit and repair yards, as well as government and regulatory bodies and the tourism industry.
Visitors to the conference will also be invited to attend a host of networking and social events organised by the Singapore Yacht Show including the Singapore Yacht Show Gala Dinner, held at the exclusive Capella Singapore hotel.
APSC2012 will feature a range of key benefits including:
• Key market insight through plenary address presentations
• Inside information via panel discussions with interactive audience participation
• Collaboration opportunities through an exhibition display area
• Networking lunches and refreshment breaks and a range of peer to peer networking opportunities
• Held alongside the Singapore Yacht Show providing additional networking and business opportunities
• Fun and enjoyment through evening social functions at the end of each day
Programme Topics
Critical issues and challenges will be discussed through presentations, interactive panels, debates and case studies. Topics to be discussed will include:
• Superyacht construction and design in the Asia-Pacific region
• Marina design and management in Asia
• The needs of the Asian superyacht buyer/owner
• Superyacht opportunities in China
• Transforming the Asia-Pacific region into the world’s leading superyacht cruising destination
• Country by country focus for charter brokers and yacht captains
• Update on regulation and permits in key countries including China and Indonesia
• Yacht service and support in Asia
• Refit and overhaul
• Finance, risk management and insurance
Who should attend?
• Superyacht owners
• Superyacht captains
• Superyacht builders
• Yacht brokers
• Charter brokers
• Marinas owners, operators and managers
• Superyacht service companies
• Superyacht designers
• Refit & repair yards
• Consultants, financiers and lawyers
• Government and regulatory bodies
• Tourism industry
Programme & Timeline
DAY 1
09.00 Opening Address
09.15 Welcome From One°15 Marina
09.20 Conference Chairman’s Opening Comments
Simon Turner
09.30 Keynote Speech: An analysis of who is buying superyachts in the Asia Pacific region
* Where are the buyers coming from
* What type of yachts do they buy
* What are their key decision making processes?
Jean-Jacques Lavigne SSA
10.10 Keynote Speech: Assessing market entry strategies for world leading superyacht manufacturers
* Understanding why there are relatively few world leading brand superyachts in Asia
* Creating sales and marketing strategies to enter this huge region
* Critical considerations for manufacturers
Giordano Pellacani, General Manager of the Mega Yacht Division (Far East Area), Benetti Yachts
10.50 Coffee Break
11.30 Analysis of current opportunities, regulation and developments in China
* The import ban on yachts over 1 year old * 43% bond payable by visiting yachts
* Is China holding back industry development?
* Will the Ferretti purchase make a difference? What impact will this have on Ferretti`s manufacturing and marketing
strategies?
Panel with participants including: Carmen Lau, Asia Marketing Manager Azimut Grande & Benetti Division; Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship Royal Van Lent, Bart Kimman, Northrop & Johnson
12.10 Interactive Panel Discussion: Understanding the needs of the Asian superyacht owner: The Designers Panel
* Essential requirements for superyachts owned in Asia
* Understanding the cultural differences in superyacht usage and the implications for design
* Assessing the impact of branding in conjunction with design
* Does the new generation wealth from Asia have different requirements/perception & brand awareness?
* How best to invest in and promote Asian yacht design / design education?
* How far off is a Chinese specific designed/built/branded superyacht?
* Does Asian tradition have a place in the aesthetic and functional design of yachts?
Panel chaired by: Jody Chapman, 77 Design
Panelists to include: Misha Merzliakov, Filippo Bertoni, John Henson
12.50 Lunch
