Although having taken place for 30 years, the 2012 edition of the Newport Charter Yacht Show has seen a new era. The show, held from 18-21 June, is now owned and managed by Newport Corporation. The four day event already had a great ‘base’, but with some additional enhancements and improvements it can now claim to be the only charter show of its kind in the U.S.
The 150-foot motor vessel Encore (foreground) and the 160-foot motor vessel Newvida at the Newport Charter Yacht Show (photo credit Billy Black)
“There were many positive comments about the look and feel of the show and the opportunities for networking,” said Show Director Nancy Piffard, explaining that industry professionals, especially charter brokers, had the most to gain from boarding the 27 participating charter yachts, which ran the gamut from the 43-foot sailing vessel PR Princess, to the 160-foot motoryacht Newvida. “Our goals for 2013 will be to enrich the land-based functions and double the in-water fleet of yachts by using adjacent facilities to the Newport Yachting Center such as Bannister’s Wharf and 41° North. At the same time, we hope to continue to stand apart by maintaining a more personal, quality experience—for the brokers as well as the skippers and crews–that can’t be replicated at the larger shows such as Monaco and Antigua.”
Guests aboard the 160-foot motor vessel Newvida, the largest of the yachts participating in the Newport Charter Yacht Show. (photo credit Billy Black)
Yacht broker Alan Bernard, of Rhode Island and Florida, liked that game plan. He took notes on every yacht at the show and got to know the captains and crew more intimately than has been possible at other shows he has attended. “Technically, you could walk this show in a day, but if you did that, you’d miss a whole lot,” he said, adding that many boats he sells are charter boats, and knowing the charter market helps him better advise clients. “If you walk it for four days, however, it’s amazing what you learn.”
Aerial shot of the 2012 Newport Charter Yacht Show at the Newport Yachting Center. (photo credit Billy Black)
Capt. Sean Meagher, a Master 3000GRT who runs Newvida agreed the Newport show “wasn’t as hectic” as the others. “It afforded me a longer time to talk to the charter brokers, and the ones that came aboard I really wanted to talk to,” he said, adding that Newvida has a Marshall Islands homeport and a track record for chartering all over the world but is spending this summer in New England to take advantage of charter grounds that provide opportunities just as rich in things to do and see as the Mediterranean.
To that point, the Newport Charter Show ran a seminar, one of many, with a “Discover New England” theme, and the American Yacht Charter Association enlisted the Newvida captain (also known as “Captain Amazing” for his ability to pull off even the most daunting of charter requests) at a marketing presentation to present his own unique take on how to feature Newport to charter guests.
Chef Jean Paul of the 150-foot motor vessel Encore took third place in the Grande Class of the Newport Charter Yacht Show Culinary Competition with his dish that consisted of poached scallops and eggs with steamed mussels (photo credit Billy Black)
“We are not in the service industry so much as we are in show business,” said Capt. Meagher. “The first day of a charter is like opening day of a production on Broadway, and you can’t get a better stage than this.”
In addition to the seminars were a culinary competition and two nights of “yacht hops,” where crew in costumes served delectable hors d’ oeuvres in keeping with each yacht’s chosen theme. And while these counted as traditional nods to what most charter shows are expected to offer, the Newport Charter Yacht Show’s inclusion of YachtAid Global as a charitable partner drove home the message of changing lives, in this case using charter yachts to carry aid to third-world countries. The non-profit organization hosted a cocktail reception aboard the 110-foot Sloop Providence, complete with an aerialist (Nichole Raab), who used as her climbing prop a sky-blue scarf cascading from a yardarm in the tall ship’s 98-foot high rig. The enchanting image she created seemed to say it all: the sky’s the limit, for not only the Newport Charter Yacht Show, which promises an even bigger and better return in 2013, but also the movers and shakers who make the charter world thrive.
Gold Sponsors included AERE’ Docking Solutions and The Private Journey Magazine. The week kicked off with a Welcome Cocktail Reception sponsored by The Hinckley Company and IGY Marinas in the Hospitality Tent, which was sponsored by West Marine Megayacht Supply. Sponsoring the daily industry-focused seminars was ClearStone Coating.
