From 27 to 30 September last in Monaco, the world’s greatest superyacht event brought together an exceptional concentration of superyachts and presented an exhibition of outstanding quality on the quayside.
The 27th edition of the Monaco Yacht Show thus fulfilled all its promises and reflected a more buoyant market, supported notably by the strong attendance of American and Russian clients on the quays of Port Hercules to visit the 125 superyachts.
This year’s fleet was larger and younger (average length 49m, 50% of the yachts less than two years old) and according to Gaëlle Tallarida, Managing Director of the Show, it appealed to visitors right from the start: “The exhibitors were busy from Wednesday morning with business meetings on their stands and a full list of bookings for yacht visits. We felt that the whole industry was concerned by an event they’ve been preparing for months, with high trade expectations. By midday this impression was shared by all the different participants, brokers or shipyards who already confirmed negotiations with visitors interested in chartering or purchasing a yacht.”
A new superyacht clientele invited by the MYS Organisers
Attendance at this year’s edition is higher than last year with 36,400 participants (+8%) including an international business clientele but also private visitors invited by the MYS organisers via the Sapphire Experience programme. 160 ultra-qualified individuals thus enjoyed a bespoke stay in Monaco with visits of the superyachts displayed in Port Hercules. Around 400 appointments* on board were scheduled with the yachts’ representatives; one “Sapphire Experience” guest has already placed an order for a yacht (*calculated according to the aggregate total of visits scheduled for each guest).
On the eve of the MYS, the 2nd edition of the Monaco Yacht Summit welcomed some fifty potential new superyacht clients – or their representatives – to discuss the key information to be borne in mind when chartering or purchasing a luxury yacht for the first time.
The presence of these future owners or charterers in Port Hercules was the tangible result of the marketing and public relations actions managed by Gaëlle Tallarida and her team to promote encounters between the 580 exhibitors and new clients: “the Monaco Yacht Show has become a brand with a strong identity, clearly defined since the first edition in 1991. The MYS is unique in being the only “hybrid” show in the world exclusively dedicated to the universe of superyachting. We are proud to host both the B2B community and today’s and tomorrow’s superyacht purchasers. They make a perfect fit. A new yacht order generates important business activity for all sectors in the yachting industry. Owners are more and more involved in the building of their yachts. At the MYS, future buyers also meet the nautical suppliers to discover the latest interior designs, cutting-edge equipments or brand-new gadgets. And they love it!”
An enthusiasm that was also obvious on Quai Antoine Ier with Tenders & Toys, the new exhibition dedicated to the trendiest luxury tenders and water toys on the market. An area unanimously praised by its exhibitors, who signed great sales and who have already requested bigger exhibition spaces for 2018. This success confirmed the boom of leisure activities linked with yachting, appreciated by a younger generation of clients for whom they represent one of the main reasons for chartering a yacht.
For its second year of operation the Car Deck was again a great success, with the exhibition of 16 exclusive thoroughbred cars like the new Continental GT by Bentley unveiled for the first time in Europe at the Monaco Yacht Show. The classic cars by Mercedes-Benz, integrally rebuilt by Hemmels, or the iconic Cobra models by the US manufacturer Shelby – represented by Gentleman Car – generated business leads that will surely turn into sales in the coming weeks. Hoffmann & Novag,ue with the limited series of their HN R200 sports car, also enjoyed a successful first participation in the Car Deck. Aston Martin, Lamborghini, McLaren and Mercedes-Benz completed the car exhibition offered to the Show’s superyacht clientele.
Launched in 2016, the Car Deck exhibition is a response to this natural convergence between yachting and the luxury car manufacturers, whether for joint projects or for the buyers of rare prestige cars who would like to discover the world of yachting.
An exhibition extended to the whole of Port Hercules
Extension of the 2017 MYS to the entire port made for greater fluidity of movement between the historic exhibition areas (Darse Sud, Parvis Piscine and the other quays) and the new tent on Quai Albert Ier or the Quai Antoine Ier, reorganised to provide a superyacht lifestyle environment. Exhibitors and visitors could discover the Starboard, the new exhibition lounge with its outdoor restaurant overlooking the port and a direct access to the Car Deck and to Tenders & Toys.
Travel within the port was made easier by the various transport services including electric golf carts, shuttle boats and the MYS official application that calculated the fastest way to reach a stand or a yacht.
Over 150 private events
Press conferences, product presentations, cocktails on board yachts or on stands, private evening receptions – the enormous range of events organised by the exhibitors during the four days (and nights!) reflected the importance of public and press relations actions aimed at the high-end international audience and influential media at the Show.
On Tuesday 26 September, the Monaco Yacht Show opened the four days of festivities with the MYS Inaugural Gala Party, held this year at Le Méridien Beach Plaza Hotel.
400 privileged guests were invited to the Gala Party during which awards were made to three superyachts: Home (49,8m, 2017, Heesen Yachts), winner of the 2017 MYS/RINA Award, given to the most environmental-friendly yacht at the MYS; the Italian superyacht Seven Sins (52m, 2017, Sanlorenzo), winner of the 2017 MYS Interior Design Award; and the megayacht Jubilee (110m, 2017, Oceanco) which received two awards: the 2017 MYS Exterior Design Award and the 2017 MYS Finest New Superyacht Award.
>> FULL REPORT AT SKIPPER ONDECK | AUTUMN ISSUE
