Organized by the Greek Yachting Association (GYA), this year’s first Mediterranean Yacht Show in Nafplion, positioned in the popular Eastern Mediterranean yacht vacation destination – Greece, was held from May 3 to 7. The MEDYS (Mediterranean Yacht Show) represents an international exhibition of crewed charter yachts, which targets professionals of the yachting industry. During the event, a total number of 57 luxury yachts were displayed and 21 pavilions hosted a variety of exhibitors.

First Mediterranean Yacht Show hosted by the fantastic Eastern Mediterranean yacht rent location - Greece

202 yacht brokers from 17 countries attended the inaugural MEDYS: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, British Virgin Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, UK and USA.

The large number of participants, the immaculate organization of the show and the high quality of the vessels have already classified the Mediterranean Yacht Show as one of the top events of its kind.

Luxury yachts on display at the 2014 Meditteranean Yacht Show

During the exhibition, participants had the opportunity to inspect the boats, meet the crews and arrange deals.

The opening ceremony took place on Saturday, 03 May, and was attended by the Minister of Shipping and Aegean, Mr. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, the Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Mr. Yannis Maniatis, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports, Mr. Yannis Andrianos, the Deputy Governor of the Argolis district Mr. Tassos Cheividopoulos, the Mayor of Nafplion, Mr. Dimitris Kostouros, the Commander of the Port Police of Nafplion, Mr. Spyros Marinos and a large number of guests. A reception followed at the fortress of Palamidi where those invited enjoyed a unique performance of live music by an electric string trio.

Aerial view of the 2014 Mediterranean Yacht Show

As part of the show, a series of parallel events were held:
• A seminar on Greek yachting legislation conducted by Yannis Markogiannis of the law Firm “Markogiannis Yannis & Partners” .
• A seminar regarding itineraries along the coastline of the mythical Peloponnese introduced by Ms Helen Kyriakakos of “Aris Drivas Yachting Company”.
• An open dialogue by the International Association MYBA on the present and the future of the union introduced by its representatives, Mr. George Pappas of “Big Blue Yachting” and Mr. Jean Claude Herve of  “International Marine”.
• A presentation of ISM Security Corporation.
• A seminar on environmental awareness, pollution prevention and safety at sea by Ms. Heleni Mastrokosta of the “Hellenic Association for the protection of Marine Environment”.
• Chefs’ Competition with the theme “Greek Sushi”.
• Social events hosted on board several yachts.

Chefs’ Competition

The yacht show was attended by the majority of leading global chartering companies such as: Camper & Nicholsons, Edmiston & Company, Fraser Yachts, Yachting Partners International, Merle Wood & Associates, Inc., Dahm International, OceanStyle by Burgess, Northrop & Johnson, Luxury Charter Group and many others.

A plethora of media were also present : “Kathimerini” newspaper, “Skai TV”, “Yachting USA” magazine, “Boat International Russia” magazine, “ Boat International UK” magazine, “Super Yacht World «magazine, “Yacht Charter Fleet” magazine, “Super Yacht Times” magazine, Charter Index.

The farewell gala was held on Tuesday, 06 May, and included the award ceremony of the Chefs’ Competition. In his closing address the President of the GYA, Mr. Michael Skoulikidis, announced the decision of the Board and the Municipality of Nafplion to hold the 2nd Mediterranean Yacht Show once again in Nafplion, from 2nd to the 6th of  May 2015.

Mediterranean Yacht Show 2014 by night

On May 07, several yachts departed from Nafplion and dropped anchor at Spetses island, where a reception was hosted by Mr. Manolis Vordonis at the  Poseidonion Grand Hotel. The reception was followed by a tour of the island by the  Mayor of Spetses, Panagiotis Lyrakis, and Mr.Manolis Vordonis.

The event was supported by the Ministry of Shipping and Aegean, the Prefecture of the Peloponnese, the Municipality of Nafplion, and by MYBA, the largest yacht brokers association in the world with members on all five continents.

Golden Sponsor: ELINOIL S.A.

Sponsors: Nammos Mykonos, Cava Cellier, Skouras Winery, Chauffeur Greece, ISM Security, ON-AIR Pro

Media sponsors: “Kathimerini” newspaper, “SKY TV”, “Yachting USA” magazine, “Boat International Russia” magazine.