The Benefits of Being in a Boat Show
From Miami to Monaco, Barcelona to Antigua, the annual yacht show calendar is packed full of events displaying some of the biggest and best superyachts available to charter or purchase. Hosted in some of the world’s favorite destinations, the most coveted shows are a hub of activity with prospective buyers and charterers from all over the world coming to view the line-up of yachts and superyachts in one convenient location.
WHY DISPLAY YOUR YACHT AT A BOAT SHOW?
Quite simply, having your yacht on display at a yacht or superyacht show will increase the likelihood of a potential buyer seeing it. Major boat shows are an excellent platform to showcase a yacht and effectively spread the word among the brokerage community, media and potential buyers. Yachts that show well may even appeal to a buyer who would not have otherwise considered such a type or size. If a yacht has had a substantial investment in its maintenance, perhaps a refit or refurbishment, shows offer an opportunity to showcase these updates to brokers and clients. Yacht shows aren’t only about selling. Putting a charter yacht in these types of shows offers the dual benefit of being seen by both sales and charter brokers.
WHAT TO EXPECT IF DISPLAYING YOUR YACHT
Northrop & Johnson’s events team can guide you and your captain every step of the way. We will organize all required to ensure your yacht is displayed to its highest potential. From reserving the berth, organizing entry requirements and crew passes to shuttle tenders and events throughout the show, N&J’s events team is experienced in organizing yacht participation in all the major boat shows. Your Northrop & Johnson broker will schedule visits for potential clients (all vetted). At the same time, the team will set up all promotional materials and communications for the show’s duration and organize schedules for all those involved to ensure everything runs smoothly. If you are interested in entertaining potential clients, they can also arrange an exclusive event on board.
BEST SHOWS FOR YACHT SALES
The most important events on the yachting calendar for sales are the US and Mediterranean boat shows. Florida is the leading sales hub for superyachting and the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and Palm Beach International Boat Show are the favorite shows. Over in the Mediterranean, the French Riviera leads in the top shows, with the Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show marking the end of the summer cruising season and the beginning of the primary sales season.
SHOWS TO CONSIDER WITH NORTHROP & JOHNSON
Palm Beach Boat Show/ The Superyacht Experience Palm Beach | held annually in March
One of the country’s top five boat shows and premier yachting events, the Palm Beach International Boat Show showcases the latest yacht builds, brokerage, charter yachts, and marine accessories. The exclusive Rybovich marina hosts the Superyacht Show Palm Beach and is the place to be and be seen with your yacht. Welcoming only Informa VIP ticket holders and clients with yacht brokers, the yachts are only available for viewing by serious buyers and charter clients.
Northrop & Johnson is on hand to help make your show experience as seamless as possible. From advice on all things yachting related, including yacht sales and charter, to management and new build, an expert will be available to organize viewings and discuss all your yachting needs. The Northrop & Johnson event team will also be available to advise on all your show logistics, including VIP transport and exclusive owner events.
What to expect – Everything from 8 (2.4m)’ RIBs to sport anglers and superyachts for sale and charter up to 196’ (60m) in length.
Palma International Boat Show | held annually in April
The Palma International Boat Show is the inaugural show of the Mediterranean cruising season. Located in Palma’s Moll Vell in the Port of Palma, exhibitors range from cutting-edge marine electronics to water toys and superyachts. The latter can be viewed at the Palma Superyacht Village, where buyers and charterers will find a showcase of some of the best superyachts available for both charter and sale. Guided by your experienced Northrop & Johnson charter or brokerage expert, you can inspect numerous luxury yachts, both motor and sail, and compare and contrast a variety of vessels. The village also has a dedicated Refit & Repair area, while an array of shore-side exhibitors showcase the latest technologies and designs.
What vessels to expect – Everything from inflatable RIBs to sailing and motor yachts for sale up to 164’ (50m) in length, in addition to charter yachts from the leading brokerage houses.
Cannes Yachting Festival 6 | held annually in September
The annual Cannes Yachting Festival kickstarts the sales season as a highlight of the yachting calendar for almost five decades. One of the leading in-water yacht events, the show is just a short stroll from the famous La Croisette in the Cannes Vieux Port. Here the leading shipyards display their latest launches with the advantage of being able to sea trial their offerings. Port Pierre Canto hosts an in-water display of some of the finest brokerage and charter yachts on the market at the other end of La Croisette. Here you will find Northrop & Johnson experts on hand for viewings, advice and much more. Try out the newest water toys and gadgets on the market, discover the latest in green technology, and discuss all the latest trends with the Northrop & Jonson team.
What vessels to expect – Vessels range from 10’ (3m) RIBS to 164’ (50m) superyachts, with many prestigious yacht builders debuting their latest models.
Monaco Yacht Show | held annually end of September into October
The highly anticipated Monaco Yacht Show is renowned for its impressive display of iconic superyachts. The show also sees the world’s leading shipyards, designers and brokerage houses, and several top luxury yacht suppliers coming together in the Principality’s Port Hercules, while several yachts anchor out of the port, accessible by tender for viewings with your Northrop & Johnson broker. The organizers have slimmed down visitor numbers to ensure that serious buyers and charterers experience the best of the show, including yacht viewings and exclusive events with Northrop & Johnson.
What to expect – From new launches to brokerage yachts over 230’ (70m) in length, the Monaco Yacht Show has the biggest exhibition of large superyachts of all the boat shows. Attendees can also view charter yachts, the newest tenders on the market, and the latest luxury lifestyle items, including watches, cars, and interior designers. This is the world’s premier yacht show exclusively for superyachts.
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show | held annually end of October into November
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is the first of the Fall shows in the US and a pre-cursor to the Caribbean yachting season. With around 1,500 yachts on display in Fort Lauderdale’s waterways and marinas, the show is the world’s largest in-water event and covers everything from rowboats to megayachts. In addition to the large variety of boats and yachts on display is a wide range of luxury products, from gadgets and toys for your superyacht to cars and tenders.
Located across seven locations, the show spans three million square feet of exhibition space connected by a network of water. The annual event has become the signature show in Northrop & Johnson’s events schedule, with several of the N&J sales and charter fleet on display each year and industry-leading experts on hand to guide sellers, buyers and charterers throughout the show. N&J clients can also enjoy the N&J Signature Experience, which includes two private lounging locations, easy access to everything the show offers, and seamless transportation between the venues via car and tender.
What to expect – Vessels range from 8’ (2.4m) RIBs to day boats and superyachts for sale and charter up to 210’ (64m) in length. The leading US shipyards and several international builders also debut their latest launches at the show. The organizers also host several informational workshops throughout the five-day show.
