Adding value to the METS experience
As the undisputed first port of call for the international B2B maritime community, the annual Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam RAI offers much more than a three-day exhibition alone. The latest addition to an impressive line-up of complementary events is the International Sailing Summit (ISS). This will be held on Monday 17 November, the day before the start of METS 2014.
Hosted by British Sailing, an association of the British Marine Federation, and sponsored by METS, the International Sailing Summit is a worldwide forum that enables industry leaders to drive positive change and promote sailing on a global scale. Since its launch in 1999 the ISS has become a first-class networking event. It attracts many of sailing’s key industry contacts, sporting legends and companies involved in all aspects of the sport.
Partnering on promotion
“We are very pleased that ISS 2014 will be held the day before METS gets underway,” comments Amsterdam RAI’s maritime domain manager Irene Dros. “As the marine industry continues to enjoy a fresh wind, it is more vital than ever that people from across the industry partner together to promote watersports in general. METS offers the ideal occasion for this. We already host renowned congresses such as The Global Superyacht Forum and the addition of the the International Sailing Summit offers clear added value to the METS proposition as a global platform.”
“I would like to encourage the industry to attend and learn from leading minds about how they can be part of a winning team, growing the sport of sailing worldwide,” adds ISS founder Alistair Murray. “The sponsorship from METS recognises the show’s support for the industry and the command our forum has in the sector.”
Wake up call
The 2014 Summit theme will centre on ‘Waking up the sailing industry – how sailing needs to modernise, diversify and develop to attract and retain participants’. Subjects include recent innovations, the growth of sailing in Asian and other international markets, programmes for women and young people, organisations/programmes that have re-invented themselves to grow, and alternative sports which have successfully increased participation.
About METS
METS is a trade exhibition of equipment, materials and systems for the international marine leisure industry. It is organised by Amsterdam RAI in association with ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations); and for the first time this year the event will open its doors at 9.00 on both Wednesday and Thursday. The show’s target groups are yacht builders, naval architects, repair yards, distributors, dealers, wholesalers, captains, marina operators and equipment manufacturers from around the world. Three dedicated specialist pavilions are part of METS: the SuperYacht Pavilion, the Marina & Yard Pavilion and the Construction Material Pavilion.