In addition to an amazing selection of world’s finest luxury yachts, guests at this summer’s Newport Charter Yacht Show are also encouraged to participate in several industry-focused seminars throughout the week. Set to run on the historic waterfront of Newport in Rhode Island from June 23-26, the four-day event is organized by Newport Exhibition Group and caters to luxury yacht charter professionals and discriminating consumers, attending with brokers.
On Tuesday, June 24 (8 to 10 a.m.), Michelle Otero Valdés, a board certified maritime attorney at Chalos & Co., will present “The Climate on Crewing has Changed; The Maritime Labor Convention 2006 Enters Into Force.” Along with changes to captain and crew certifications for 2014, the seminar will explain the new regulations being implemented to protect marine workers.
On Wednesday, June 25 (8 to 11 a.m.), the American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA) will host its annual educational and informative seminar. Bob Saxon will Emcee the event, which kicks off with the AYCA’s Marketing/Motivational Segment and Keynote Speaker, Gail Lowney Alofsin, a professor, sales/marketing executive and author who will present tips from her just-released motivational book Your Someday is Now.
For the “Destination” segment, charter yacht Belle Aimee Captain Mike French will present an informative multi-media overview of cruising in Fiji and the South Pacific. AYCA’s Legal/Technical Segment will round out the Seminar with a panel of five industry professionals discussing the topic “To Agent or Not to Agent…That is the Question.”
Prior to the start of the show, On Sunday, June 22 (from 4 to 5 p.m.) Heather Kearsley Wolf, the CEO, founder and lead designer of Kearsley Couture, will divulge interior design secrets in her presentation “Understanding, Caring for and Specifying Fine Linens.” Wolf will provide the audience with details on how to blend beauty and comfort onboard to maximize a charter guest’s vacation experience.
Tuesday and Sunday’s seminars are free to all show participants and guests. Tickets to AYCA’s Wednesday seminar are $30 for industry professionals and $20 for crewmembers (if registered and paid in advance) or $40 per person paid at the door via check or cash.
The Newport Charter Yacht Show is the only one of its kind in the U.S. and explores the many avenues of luxury chartering in a waterfront setting. Dockside at the Newport Yachting Center, a sophisticated collection of motor and sailing yachts – from 80 feet to the superyacht length of 150 to 225+ feet – will be open for touring, and on-land exhibits and social activities will round out the event.