Massimo Perotti, the Chairman of UCINA – Confindustria Nautica and a member of the Board of Saloni Nautici SpA, the company organizing the Genoa Boat Show and associated with UCINA, has confirmed his satisfaction with the results achieved so far. He has once again stressed the crucial points of the three-year plan to re-launch the event and to renew it, two processes that began in this edition. The aim is to restore the event, held in the lovely Italy yacht charter destination – Genoa, to its previous levels of importance in Europe as well as in the Mediterranean region.
RELAUNCH PROJECT
“Even if we have already spoken about the 2015 edition linked to the Milan Expo, we are still intensely concentrating on the 2014 edition. The Boat Show’s new organisation is working full time on the October event – the last participation requests are arriving now. There is great excitement and work is proceeding according to the scheduled three-year development plan. The 2015 Boat Show (despite its different format) will clearly be an evolution step that is part of a coordinated operation to relaunch the Genoa International Boat Show as the most important event that valorises Italian ship building. This project is popular among workers in the industry and exhibitors.”
WORK OBJECTIVES
“It pays to be realistic. 2013 was ‘year zero’. Now we have started again, fully aware there is lots to be done. We are all in the same boat and it is best to deal with problems, set up a system, put aside regrets and, most importantly, avoid burying our heads under the sand. The main objective is to make the Genoa Boat Show the largest and most important in Europe once more. The conditions for doing so exist.”
STRATEGIC ELEMENTS FOR REDEVELOPMENT
“We are concentrating on three factors in 2014. The first is the truly international dimension of the Boat Show. We must be a topic of conversation abroad and the data on the presence of
foreign journalists recorded at the end of July is very positive indeed. We must use the press to help people understand the system’s great potential strength and that our tradition is a unique heritage that cannot be lost. These concepts must be stressed. To this we must add the buyers who are invited to view the quality of Italian ship building productions directly, thanks to funding from the Ministry of Economic Development.
We have organised the show more effectively. Areas are organised according to more logical criteria. Having the boats afloat allows exhibitors to valorise their models with tests in the water and, at the same time, exhibition-related costs are lower. A clear division according to product sectors helps visitors move around more easily. In addition to all the above, all services (from catering to parking) have been considerably improved.
The third point is that the Boat Show must make a firm entrance into the Made in Italy system. It must be a showcase of excellence in our tradition of large and small boat production. We have a long tradition which is an integrating part – the jewel in the crown – of our production. People from all over the world want true Made in Italy. We must bring this home to them in the sector that involves us. At the same time we must act in coordination with other high-quality sectors that have made us famous and that have contributed to the great reputation that continues to endure.”
SUPER MADE IN ITALY
“This new brand will unite all great Italian yachts at the Genoa Boat Show. Strong synergies are being established with the worlds of design and furnishing. The Super Made in Italy project fits into this context, which will help us overcome the individualist logic that is typical of our Italian character. We are more creative and original than anybody else and Italian design is a point of reference for people all over the world, just as the quality of our components is. This leadership must be highlighted and made known via the Boat Show.”
STRONG POINTS OF THE EXHIBITION LAYOUT
“Last year accessories and small boats (inflatables and otherwise) fitted very well in pavilion B. The same applies to boats with motors and large facilities, which were exhibited in the Power Village. This year sailing boats will have a better and improved position, with the new and impressive Sailing World section under the frame. So will the great yachts, in the Super Made in Italy area. I like the fact that every product category has a clear, well-defined position.”
EXHIBITOR PARTICIPATION
“Some important ship yards, which did not participate in the past (struggling) editions are back this year. Some have increased their exhibition areas. Of course I am upset some historical Italian ship yards are not taking part – it is not good for the Boat Show and does not benefit the sector. On the whole, however, people find the 2014 Boat Show appealing. We are enthusiastically and confidently rising to the challenge.”