May 10, 2013, saw the prominent Italian luxury yacht builder, ISA (International Shipyards Ancona), announce the grand opening of its North American operations, with an office at the Portside Yachting Center at the 17th Street Causeway in Fort Lauderdale.

Edward Sacks - President of ISA Yachts-North American Operations

It was auspicious timing for ISA as the day marked its 12th anniversary! ISA President of Sales and Marketing, Marcello Maggi, was on hand at a celebratory cocktail party at the Bimini Boatyard Restaurant with brokers, press, and members of South Florida’s marine industry to discuss on- going activity at the shipyard in Italy as well as new marketing initiatives.

Maggi commented to the Friday audience, “I have a strong personal connection to the US and have long been aware of the importance of the American market for our yachts.”

Marcello Maggi from ISA Yachts and Edward Sacks from ISA Yachts-North American Operations

Ed Sacks, a well-known veteran of the luxury yachting industry, who has enjoyed a long-term friendship with Maggi, gave a colorful anecdotal speech to the crowd on his history in the industry and identified his primary mission. “While ISA already has a presence in North America, my task is to increase their visibility in the US marketplace by interfacing with the brokerage community and facilitating ease of communication with the shipyard. To be clear, I am not a broker. My objective is not to sell boats, but to assist established brokers with their efforts in selling ISA construction.”

Marcello Maggi from ISA Yachts with Edward Sacks from ISA Yachts-North American Operations

In its relatively short 12-year history, ISA has delivered 27 yachts and currently has five under construction. They build yachts both in fiberglass and steel in the 30-70m range and are developing new lines with an eye toward expansion to eventually build yachts up to 100m.