We sat down with Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival, for an exclusive interview ahead of one of the most elegant in-water boat show.
From behind-the-scenes insights and exciting premieres to her vision for the future of the show, Ernoult opens up about what makes Cannes the beating heart of global yachting every September.
SOD: Under your leadership, how has the Cannes Yachting Festival evolved over the years, and what are the key strategic goals you’ve set for its future?
The Festival has evolved a lot in recent years: bigger, better structured, with an ever richer, broader and more international offer. The opening of Port Canto for sailing in 2019 was a very important turning point for the trade show: it allowed us to offer our visitors the world’s largest exhibition of new, large sailing boats and also significantly expanded the show on the other side of the Croisette.
The creation of the Power Boat Marina in 2024 also strengthened the positioning of Port Canto, which is now a very popular destination and often a must-see for visitors to the trade show. In parallel with this development strategy, we have pushed the sectorisation of the trade show. As it grows, it’s essential to “sort” and “organise” at the same time! This strategy allows our visitors to find the type of boats they want to see first. This is why, at each edition, we seek to improve the visitor experience while anticipating the needs of the market and exhibitors as effectively as possible.
One of the major challenges of our industry today is its transition: technological innovations, hybrid or electric propulsion, eco-design, etc. The exhibition has a role to play in accompanying these developments, while preserving what makes it unique: an exceptional setting and an atmosphere that is both professional and elegant.
2025 will be my last year as director of the Festival. I am happy to hand over to Constance Brément, with whom I am already working to prepare the next steps.
SOD: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in organizing an event of this scale, especially in terms of sustainability and innovation within the yachting industry?
Organising a trade show on this scale while integrating sustainability issues is a real challenge.The most important thing before anything else is respecting safety. Each time boats are positioned on the quayside, each time there is a specific request to install an exhibitor stand, we must check compliance with the safety regulations on land and water. To this end, we work with the port authorities of both ports and the trade show’s safety committee throughout the year so that these indispensable partners can assist us throughout the construction of the trade show. Then we need to meet the commercial demand of our customers while optimising the spaces by organising them in an accessible and aesthetic way for future visitors. It is important to listen to our customers and support them in building beautiful reception spaces.
In fact, I prioritise the show’s aesthetics because the Cannes Yachting Festival also needs to lead in demonstrating the comfort and beauty of its environment.Ultimately, our role is of course to develop the event aligned with the industry, to offer a sophisticated setting for exhibitors while promoting responsible approaches.
Environmental awareness of buyers is driving brands to innovate: hybrid or 100% electric propulsion, recycled or lightweight materials, intelligent on-board energy management… The trade show plays a part in showcasing and accelerating these innovations.
Some shipyards are already standing out, such as Azimut with the Seadeck 7 and its hybrid-electric propulsion system developed with Volvo Penta, or Besenzoni with its BeElectric range of electric components and comprehensive sustainability plan.
But our commitment doesn’t stop at the quays: the logistics of the trade show are evolving towards greater responsibility. We are working with GreenBee to ensure rigorous management of the sorting and recycling of all materials and an active awareness campaign among exhibitors and service providers.
SOD: How do you balance showcasing luxury with promoting eco-conscious technologies and greener practices in the festival?
Today, luxury and responsibility no longer conflict; they reinvent themselves together and Innovation Route perfectly embodies this advancement.
This tour highlights exhibitors who are developing sustainable and innovative solutions, without compromising on the design, performance or comfort requirements expected in the prestigious yachting sector.
Every year, exhibitors are doubling their efforts to offer more sustainable models: hybrid or 100% electric propulsion, recycled or lightweight materials, intelligent on-board management systems, etc. The exhibition supports this movement by acting as a showcase and an accelerator, at the intersection of technological innovation and new uses.
SOD:The Cannes Yachting Festival often hosts world premieres—how do you attract top shipyards and brands to choose Cannes as their launch platform?
There are several reasons for this. First of all, we are the first on the calendar as Cannes opens the trade show season, and so the industry will be showcasing its new products often starting in Cannes.
The second reason is our unique environment: everyone looks forward to coming to Cannes! Exhibitors will have the opportunity to meet all the industry players on pontoons in the sun and welcome their first customer of the season in idyllic conditions, while visitors will be able to extend their summer season and enjoy this beautiful show in its magical environment.
The Cannes Yachting Festival is a strategic meeting place for brands and has become “the place to be” for many industry players who choose this exhibition to debut their new products.
Every year, more than 140 world premieres are unveiled in Cannes, proof of the trust that major shipyards place in the event. The exhibition welcomes more than 55,000 international visitors in an exceptional setting between the Vieux Port and Port Canto, offering a unique showcase.
Eclecticism is a strength of the Cannes Yachting Festival: all types of boats are represented, from large must-see yachts, such as motor catamarans, to impressive speedboats and electric or hybrid yachts. This diversity allows everyone to find the right product for them while discovering the latest market trends.
The appeal of Cannes is based on the quality of its organisation and its unique atmosphere: an open-air show by the water, where luxury, innovation and networking blend naturally.
SOD: What trends or innovations in the yachting world are you most excited about this year, and how are they reflected in the 2025 edition of the festival?
This year’s fascinating big trends are undoubtedly the transition to sustainable solutions and the integration of advanced technologies for cleaner, more intuitive navigation.
Among the leading models, the MODX 70, a 100% electric catamaran designed by VPLP Design and Océan Développement, embodies this revolution. With its retractable inflatable wingsails, variable-pitch propeller motors and solar and wind-powered autonomy, it leads the way towards zero-emission yachting.
Catagura’s Tortue 147 illustrates an advanced eco-responsible approach, with a construction made of recyclable aluminium and paulownia wood, as well as solar panels and large windows. Its innovative interior design combines elegance with respect for the oceans.
These innovations, like many others presented at the trade show, reflect the industry’s commitment to combining luxury, comfort and environmental responsibility. Our trade show is a platform for showcasing the technologies and concepts that will shape the future of sailing.
SOD: Today, what does the Cannes Yachting Festival represent in the nautical world?
The Cannes Yachting Festival is the season’s inaugural event and kicks off all autumn boat shows. It’s an unmissable event for shipyards all over the world, who come to showcase their new product launches in a unique setting.
Beyond its role as a springboard for more than a hundred world premieres, the trade show provides a prestigious showcase where innovation, know-how and lifestyle converge.
It’s a timeless interlude, an open-air setting between the sea and the sun, which brings together professionals, enthusiasts, amateurs and curious visitors every year in a friendly and refined atmosphere.
Thank you!
Skipper ONDECK is the Media Sponsor and exhibitor since 2013
Skipper ONDECK stands among the official media sponsors and exhibitors of the Cannes Yachting Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious in‑water yacht shows. As Greece’s leading yachting and luxury‑lifestyle publication—both in print and digital—it leverages its premium standing to amplify the event’s reach.
Distributed onsite at the Festival, Skipper ONDECK features in both its flagship quarterly issues and a targeted “Summer Special” edition. This publication is handed directly to a high‑profile international yacht‑lifestyle audience visiting the Vieux Port and Port Canto.
In partnership with the Festival’s organisers, Skipper ONDECK enhances visibility through multiple communication channels—print, digital, social media and web—positioning itself as a key brand connector for exhibitors, buyers, charter operators, and affluent attendees.
