This year’s Le Festival de la Plaisance de Cannes has been very successful, as confirmed by exhibitors, visitors as well as the managing company of the show. This prestigious event took place on the bay of Cannes, from September 11 to 16, 2012.
35th Cannes International Boat Show
The show celebrated its landmark 35th Anniversary this year, and kicked off the European Yachting calendar in spectacular style with over 580 boats on display from the world’s leading shipyards and over 150 world premiere editions for all to enjoy.
Spread across the Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto, Le Festival de la Plaisance de Cannes welcomed a total of 45,600 visitors across the six days, a slight increase on last year (-1%), with a marked rise in international visitors from regions such as Russia, China, South America, as well as the key markets of Europe.
Showcasing Innovation Across the Yachting World
Highly regarded by the international yachting industry, Le Festival de la Plaisance continues to offer its guests an accurate snapshot of the latest yachting innovations, across sectors including design, machine parts, marinas, on board electronics and equipment.
This year, 150 new models were introduced at the show, including the Couach 5000 Fly motor yacht La Pellegrina, Monte Carlo Yachts MCY 70 yacht, Azimut 55S, superyacht Wally Ace, the Moonen 82 Alu luxury yacht My Way, Princess 40, Pershing 82 superyacht, the Canados 120 motor yacht Far Away, Beneteau Swift Trawler 50, Dufour 500, Catana 55, Outremer X50, Nautitech 52 and the Sunreef 82 catamaran yacht Houbara. 2012 also saw the world largest gathering of inhabitable multihull craft, both sail and motor, ranging from 10 to 25 metres.
50m La Pellegrina superyacht by Couach Yachts
Le Festival de la Plaisance de Cannes is the only European edition on the calendar to offer its visitors sea trials, and a chance to truly experience the range of yachts on display in an open-water environment. This year, more sea trials than ever were undertaken on the glittering bay of Cannes.
Leading the Way in Motorboat and Sailboat Yachting
The 35th show welcomed a record number of international exhibitors with the marked presence of Western European, Turkey, the US and the emergence of Asia, amongst the 34 countries exhibiting at the show.
“Le Festival de la Plaisance de Cannes is widely attended by the boating industry because it truly does serve as a barometer of developments in the market and the trends to come in our industry,” says Renaud Jourdon, the show’s manager.
After six days, the results of the show for the exhibitors are positive. Overall the trends are superior to forecasts generated prior to the show opening. A high level of enthusiasm is evident for boats from 12 metres long, particularly the most innovative and liveable models and sizes, which offer refined lifestyle.
WallyAce 26m Superyacht
The “Brokerage” sector located at Port Pierre Canto also reaffirmed its very strong position within the industry. For the 23 exhibitors presenting 55 boats, contacts made this year were very qualitative, suggesting transactions in the forthcoming weeks and months.
Renewed partnerships and cooperations
The Festival de la Plaisance de Cannes is pleased to announce the renewal of the contract between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Nice Cote d’Azur and Reed Expositions, agreeing the occupation of the Vieux Port for organising the show until 2015. This renewed partnership between two key players in the organisation of the Festival, consolidates the position of this alliance that has become integral to the international yachting community.
The French Nautical Industries Federation and Reed Expositions France wish to thank the City of Cannes, the Nice-Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Port Pierre Canto and their teams for their cooperation, as well as the partners of the show: Petrossian, Intuitions by J, Bollinger Champagne, Jack Russell Malletier, L’Occitane en Provence, Privilège – Limousine, Tohatsu Fenwick, Wajer & Wajer, Jeanneau, Ecuador, Musto, Azur Hélicoptère, and the Théodora Association.
MCY 70 Yacht by Monte Carlo Yachts and Nuvolari Lenard
Lech Walesa at the Festival
Finally, The Festival had the great pleasure of welcoming Lech Walesa, 1st President of Poland and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. He was invited by Sunreef Yachts to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the shipyard as are they are both from Gdansk.
Forthcoming Events with French Nautical Industries Federation (FIN) and Reed Expositions:
Nautic – Paris International Boat Show: 7 – 16 December 2012
Festival de la Plaisance de Cannes : 10 – 15 September 2013
Key Figures for 2012:
– 580 boats on display in water and on land (Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto) including 84 % from abroad: Europe (Italy, Germany, Spain), Northern Europe (Netherlands, Sweden) Turkey and USA, etc.
– 150 new models
– 200 boats over 20 metre including 22 boats over 40 metres
– 97 sailing boats including 29 multihulls
– 49 boats 22 to 46 metres on display in Port Pierre Canto
– 450 exhibitors from 34 countries abroad
– 250 000 m² net exhibition area
– 45 600 visitors.
