Peers Share their Passions at the Superyacht Design Symposium 2009

For the second year in a row, the Superyacht Design Symposium presented by Boat International Media stirred the pot by starting creative conversations on pressing industry topics among peers from the highest echelons of the yachting world. The impact of this highly successful Symposium, held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on October 26th & 27th, 2009, may well be seen in innovative superyacht designs introduced in years to come.

"This event was never intended as a series of lectures – our speakers are here to stimulate debate," commented Tony Harris, CEO of Boat International Media. And debate they did, sparking discussions that began on the floor of the Plaza’s Grand Ballroom and were carried over into the various social networking opportunities interspersed between Symposium sessions, including delicious luncheons, a cosy tea, an elegant cocktail party sponsored by Chihuly Studio and, of course, the headliner dinner hosted by restaurant Rouge Tomate, which recently earned its first Michelin star.

"The venue added to the success as well as the outstanding evening at Rouge Tomate," said Joe Vittoria, owner of sailing superyacht Mirabella V, who participated in Superyacht Design Symposium ’09 as a speaker.
 
Many of the superyacht industry’s “boldface names” were among the 150 participants of this year’s event, either as presenters or delegates. In addition to superyacht owners hailing from all over the globe, the list of attendees included a dozen well-known yacht designers and representatives from at least 14 leading shipyards, as well as top executives from a wide range of other major industry firms.
 
"It’s nice to be here with the likes of Ron Holland, Ed Dubois, Bill Tripp and German Frers – it was exciting to see that kind of talent in one room," said delegate Donald Tofias, owner of W-Class racing yachts White Wings and Wild Horses. Those luminaries also were joined by equally famous yacht designers Andrew Winch, Ken Frievokh, Nigel Irens and others at the event.

In two days of fascinating and authoritative presentations, followed by spirited question-and-answer sessions, a wide range of topics were covered from financial and pragmatic subjects to artistic and futuristic concepts, not to mention a manned submersible straight out a James Cameron film. The “think tank” on how to make yachts greener, an issue near and dear to the hearts of many of today’s yacht owners, was particularly productive.
 
"I was proud to participate in the Superyacht Design Symposium," said David V. Johnson, who drew from personal experience in developing Michigan’s award-winning Bay Harbor in his presentation on “The Benefits of a Green Marina to the International Yachting Community”. Johnson added, "I thoroughly enjoyed the diversity and depth of the content covered by the featured speakers from around the world. The networking and quality interaction with architects, designers and superyacht owners exceeded my expectations."

Hani Jabsheh, owner of M/Y Hana, who chaired the panel on "Build Pricing and Resale Values - Now and in the Future," agreed.  "I found the two-day event a great platform for owners and the industry to mingle and exchange thoughts and ideas" he said.  "I also valued very much the fact that most discussions included an owner's perspective along with those of the industry experts.  Owner engagement at these events is always welcomed and encouraged."

The event’s sponsors, including Amico & Co, Rouge Tomate, CRS Yachts, Yachting Partners International, Chihuly, Chartis, ADCO and Qinetic GRC represented an equally impressive cross-section of the global superyacht community. Two of them even braved the podium: Alex Braden, chairman of Yachting Partners International, provided frank and useful insights into the current state of the world brokerage market. Rocco Finocchiaro, marketing manager for Amico & Co, who is also a veteran yacht captain, provided informative tips on how to make a refit project go more smoothly.

Click here to see the video and photos from the Superyacht Design Symposium 2009

Don’t miss out on helping to chart the future of yacht design and mark your calendars for the third annual Superyacht Design Symposium in October 2010.

The Superyacht Design Symposium 2009 was sponsored by: