Just like in the previous years, the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show proved to be a successful superyacht business event. Four days of beautiful Mediterranean sunshine provided for a wonderful backdrop to over 100 superyachts, with over 40 yachts making their worldwide premiere. The internationally renowned and glitteringly gorgeous event was buzzing with wealth and business excitement. The 21st Monaco Yacht Show was perhaps the most successful show since its launch 21 years ago.
2011 Monaco Yacht Show
28,200 visitors, slightly up on last year’s attendance, came to view superyachts from 25 to 86 metres. This year’s large yacht line up included: Steven Spielberg’s Seven Seas (86 m), Cakewalk (85 m) the largest on display this year and Imagine the high volume 64 metre yacht from Amels. Prima the brand new yacht from Columbus Yachts was one of a handful of yachts from builders who have never built a yacht before. Adrenaline junkies loved motor yacht Shooting Star a superfast 38 metre superyacht by Espen Oeino and Danish Yachts while sailing enthusiasts crowded around Hemisphere catamaran to catch a glimpse of the world’s largest catamaran built for luxury cruising.
Yachts for sale included charter yacht Big Fish one of the most dramatically designed discovery yachts that has, since her launch last year, already explored the globe and visited Antarctica. Proving the business prowess of the Show, a 42 metre Turkish built superyacht sailed into the show as motor yacht Nomade and departed with her new name Bar Tender yacht painted on the stern having been sold during the show. The Dutch builder Jongert used the show to conclude the signing of a contract that will see them build a 46 metre motor yacht designed by Dubois.
Wonderful line-up at the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show - Photo Pierre Pettavino
Exhibitor displays were equally important to visitors. This year Monaco afforded the industry the most spectacular selection of things to see. More than 500 industry leaders exhibited luxury products, services and facilities and then Show provided the essential opportunities for industry professionals to network.
Confidence was high that the superyacht industry was sailing forward towards a bright horizon despite the gloomy world economy. The real benefits the Monaco Show will bring to exhibitors that attended are only determined over the weeks that follow the event, but many left the show on a high, enthused by the quality and quantity of enquiries.
Visitors at the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show - Photo Pierre Pettavino
Miriam Cain, Communications Manager, Camper & Nicholsons, UK said, “At this year’s Monaco Yacht Show we welcomed a large number of existing and new clients. All our yachts on display received good interest, and the feeling is that the market overall continues, albeit slowly, to improve.”
Billy Smith, Vice President at Trinity Yachts knows that the Monaco Yacht Show always brings solid inquiries. He said, “Interest level seemed to be up from last year. Of course, while we are at the show expressly to showcase our custom superyachts, we appreciate the opportunity to network at the many fine events which run concurrently throughout the show.”
Hein Velema CEO Fraser Yachts in Monaco was equally enthusiastic saying, “2011 at Monaco has seen a positive Show with plenty of qualified buyers, serious discussions, realistic prices and positive negotiations. Success at boat shows is never immediate and we have to study the reports of our brokers, but they were all kept extremely busy with qualified client viewings and consultations throughout the four days.”
Over 100 superyachts attended the successful 2011 Monaco Yacht Show - Photo Pierre Pettavino
Toby Walker, Director of Sales, with Dubois Yachts added, “We certainly now have pending negotiations started during the Show and we will continue to work on them to hopefully bring them to fruition.”
Alev Karagulle Director of Marketing and Communications at Burgess said, “We have every reason to believe that Monaco Yacht Show 2011 was a continued improvement to recent past years and will prove to be a key event in supporting our successful performance in this challenging market environment.”
Paul Cook, Operations Director at the electronic supply and fit firm: ANT said, “MYS 2011 reflected a feeling of positivity that despite the continued economic and political turmoil there was an air of genuine confidence within the Superyacht industry. We enjoyed the busiest Show ever with many new clients inviting us to be involved in different projects and current clients applauding our continued efforts to deliver proven cutting edge technology that suits their desires and needs.”
Motor Yacht Joy Me at the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show - Photo Pierre Pettavino
For most exhibitors and visitors alike the Monaco Yacht Show is the most successful show in the world’s yachting calendar but what makes it special are the events every day: charity auctions, prize giving, lunches, gala dinners and cocktail parties. These take the occasion into a class of its own without equal. As in previous years, Monaco Yacht Show organisers pledged a continuing support for Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies, a locally based charity with the organisers again donating 50% of all entrance ticket sales (EUR 52,700 this year) and co‐organising the 4 th edition of the world renowned Only Watch charity auction at Hotel Hermitage. This year, the once every two year event of 40 one‐off Swiss luxury watches closed with an outstanding result of EUR 4,563,000 that benefits research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
The Monaco Yacht Show also continues its previously pledged support for Wood Forever a programme backed by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II and one dedicated to fighting world deforestation. This year a donation of EUR 40,000 was made by the Show organisers. The money will be used to better educate those involved in the yachting that only wood certified as originating from sustainably‐managed forests should be used in construction, if deforestation is to be halted. The Show was also the occasion for Wood Forever to formalize the support of SYBAss and the new commitment of the US shipyard Burger Boat as very first member of the programme.
2011 Monaco Yacht Show - Photo Pierre Pettavino
In association with Monaco Yacht Show, the RINA classification society presented the Green Plus Yacht certificates 2011 to Prima (2011/53.90m/Palumbo shipyard) and Numptia (2011/70m/Rossi Navi shipyard), two yachts whose construction meets with compliance of the strictest environmental regulations. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II made the award to the yachts builders in the company of his guest; His Royal Highness King Juan Carlos of Spain who joined him on his tour of the show.
Earlier, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and His Royal Highness King Juan Carlos of Spain on their tour of the show also attended the Prix du Design MYS/ Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg. 2011 winner, motor yacht Satori (2011/50m/Heesen Yachts) was awarded for her “Pure Design” signed by the renowned French designer, Rémi Tessier.
Clearly the 21st Monaco Yacht Show overstepped the expectations of the industry, breaking the records of the event’s history.
