Last year saw the Global Superyacht Forum (GSF) present its new feature: breakout rooms. Attendees participated in smaller, closed-door sessions with top industry executives, debating and analysing the industry from a diverse range of viewpoints.This new addition to the programme invigorated the level of debate at the forum, encouraging all delegates to engage with one another, as well as current issues. The focus groups and workshops at this year’s Global Superyacht Forum 2014 will build on the success of last year’s breakout rooms, tweaking the original formula to ensure dynamic discussion and effective debate.
This year each workshop poses a question to its attendees, highlighting an industry trend, problem or area for improvement. Chaired by an expert on the topic, the workshops’ objectives are to affect positive change in the superyacht world by utilising the skills and opinions of real decision-makers. Focus groups centre on specific areas and roles in the industry, this year’s ‘Ask the Experts’ series provide attendees with an intimate space to debate with and learn from key players.
As the two-week countdown to the 20th Anniversary edition of the Global Superyacht Forum begins, the organizers highlight a selection of the focus groups and workshops attendees can look forward to this year.
Day one:
Manning
“Building the right workforce at the same time as building the right yacht – are we mentoring and training enough?”
Chair: Joey Meen, Training and Certification Director, PYA
Scrap Market
“How can we get rid of the depreciating ageing fleet – refreshing or retiring?”
Chair: Henk de Vries, CEO Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw
Materials
“Bleeding edge technologies and materials or just bleeding owners dry?”
Chair: Greg Marshall, President and CEO, Gregory C. Marshall Naval Architect, Ltd.
Day two:
Commissions and Fees
“How much is too much – are we adding value?”
Chair: Laurent Perignon, COO, Camper & Nicholsons
Ask the Experts: Insurance
A panel of underwriters and brokers will be available to have a focused discussion on policies, decision processes, claims and interpreting quotes.
Chairs:
Simon Ballard, Managing Director, CRS Yachts
Michelle van der Merwe, Team Leader, Pantaenius GmBh
Paul Miller, Director of Underwriting, R&Q Marine Services Ltd (Yachtsure24)
Ask the Experts: Legal
A panel of leading maritime lawyers will be available to have a focused discussion on contracts, litigations and other new build aspects of the law.
Chairs:
Edward Harley, Foster Pepper PLLC
Tim Schommer, Partner, Ince & Co
Day three:
Design
“Can we integrate the whole process – from ideas to engineering to operation?
Chairs:
Marnix Hoekstra, Owner, Vripack
James Roy, Yacht Design Director, BMT Nigel Gee
Ask the Experts: Captains
A panel of experienced operators will discuss what they want to change and provide a candid exchange with the industry.
Chairs:
Glen Allen, Senior Captain, MY Harle
Andrew Schofield, President, PYA, Master MV White Rose of Drachs
The Global Superyacht Forum will be held from 17 – 19 November 2014 in Amsterdam.
Awlgrip, Caterpillar, Cathelco, Cayman Islands Shipping Registry, Clyde & Co, MTN Communications, MTU Friedrichshafen, Palladium Technologies, R & Q Marine Services(Yachtsure24) and Struik & Hamerslag proudly sponsor this year’s Global Superyacht Forum.
The Global Superyacht Forum is held in collaboration with METS and The SuperYacht Pavilion.
