REMARKABLE SUCCESS OF FOOTFALL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CROISETTE
After 6 exhibition days and despite an opening day somewhat disrupted by rain, the 42nd edition of the Yachting Festival closed its doors on Sunday 15 September having set new records for participation, thereby consolidating its position as Europe’s leading in-water boat show.
This edition, marked by the new in-water configuration with new motorboats in the Vieux Port and a new Sailing Area at Port Canto, received 54,000 individual visitors, up sharply compared to 2018.
Yachting enthusiasts, experienced and novice sailors alike, and professionals from the sector were able to enjoy the improved and simplified visitor itinerary on both ports and made extensive use of the land and sea shuttles. At Port Canto, the “land” entrance registered 15,000 visitors and the numerous sea shuttles carried almost 16,000 persons from the Vieux Port.
A BROADER NUMBER AND MORE VARIED EXHIBITION OFFER
By reorganizing its format, the Yachting Festival has managed to retain its essential DNA and strength, with a wide selection of exhibits (sailing boats, motorboats, monohull, multihull, new, second-hand, small or large, in- water or on land) while also presenting an enhanced offering with 611 exhibitions, a 12% increase over 2018, and 650 boats from 2 to 65 metres, including 213 new products, 127 of which were making their world debut.
The extra space resulting from the new layout of the Yachting Festival enabled and extra 25 in-water boats to be presented (+5%), and to increase the total number of monohull and multihull sailing boats to 128 (from 10 to 65 metres) with 119 new yachts in the new Sailing Area.
The boat builders benefited from improved presentation conditions for their in-water boats, including a hub-style presentation for some, and 4 km of additional pontoons.
A WINNING DECISION AND SIGNIFICANT RESOURCE
These record figures are proof that, after more than three years of reflection and discussions with the shipyards, equipment manufacturers, engine manufacturers and brokers, the decision taken by Reed Expositions France to distribute the new yachts and motorboats between the two ports in Cannes, so that the Yachting Festival could adapt to the changing demand of exhibitors both in France and worldwide, was indeed the right one.
Thanks to the increased communication deployed over almost twelve months, visitors have clearly understood and appreciated the new organization between Vieux Por and Port Canto. The system of sea and land shuttles proved overall to be effective, enabling a large number of people to be transported easily and quickly by sea from one port to the other. This had the added advantage of also providing them with a unique view of the bay of Cannes and the Riviera from the sea.
A PROMISING FUTURE FOR THIS NEW SETTING EXCLUSIVELY FOR NEW LARGE MONOHULL AND MULTIHULL YACHTS AT PORT CANTO
The choice of Reed Expositions to play host in Port Canto to the world’s biggest event for large new and in-water yachts was both daring and necessary as Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Yachting Festival, explained at the press conference on Tuesday 10 September: “the shipyards’ demands for more in-water space to be able to exhibit more boats in even better conditions were met with over 400 linear metres of quayside dedicated to monohulls and over 400 metres dedicated to multihulls. On land, the Yachting Festival’s loyal “Sailing” exhibitors and the builders and equipment manufacturers in this sector shared the 4,000sqm quayside area offered by this new space, twice the surface area that was available in 2018! A perfect stage for the biggest global in-water showcase for new super yachts. With its wide quays, Port Canto provided large walkways to the Sailing Area, with enhanced comfort and visibility on one side for the 120 new monohull and multihull sailing boats on show in-water and, on the other side, for the stands of the shipyards, equipment manufacturers and service companies. Numerous visitors strolled along the quays of the Sailing Area, resulting in a total number of some 30,000 visits. The initial feedback and comments, heard on the pontoons from both exhibitors and visitors, are extremely positive. Our aim to create the biggest in-water exhibition in the world for new sailing boats has been achieved and the promise has been kept. I would like to thank exhibitors and visitors for their participation in the success of this first edition of the Sailing Area. With the exhibitors, our partners and our teams, we shall very soon embark on debriefing all interested parties: clients, partners, City of Cannes, NCA CCI and service providers to consolidate the foundations laid this year and work on the 2020 edition and any points for improvement ».
A SUCCESSFUL FACELIFT FOR THE VIEUX PORT
With the opening of the Sailing Area, the Vieux Port is now entirely dedicated to the ultimate in motorboats. This new organisation resulted in improved navigation between the various categories of boats. Some 480 boats were on show on land and in-water this year, ranging in length between 2 and 48 metres. The offer is now clearer and has dedicated spaces: the Pantiero terrace is for boats from 14 to 20 metres, RIBs are at the centre of the event, while Quai Max Laubeuf hosts the brand new village dedicated to outboard and in-board engines.
NEW ATTENDANCE FOR THE BROKERAGE & TOY ARE
The Brokerage Area, located in Port Canto for nearly 15 years, welcomes the major French and international players in the second-hand yacht market. This year, some fi y motorboats and sailing boats from 22 to 65 metres in length were on show. These large boats, available for immediate sale, are also often available for hire or to lease.
The Toys Area has featured at Port Canto since 2018, opposite the second-hand luxury yachts, and displays on land an increasingly broad selection of sport, fun, and nautical activities equipment. This year it included a large collection of jetboards, longboards and jet skis including several electric motor models, and many other things besides. Boosted by the presence of the Sailing Area, the Brokerage and Toys sectors saw an increase in their visitor numbers.
LUXURY GALLERY
Located in the heart of the legendary Palais des Festivals, the Luxury Gallery, a space dedicated to the excellence, unique know-how, craftsmanship and lifestyle of renowned and more exclusive brands, celebrated its fourth anniversary this year and welcomed, on its 800sqm of stands, more than 40 exhibitors present to meet high-end visitors who are interested in exceptional products and services.
SUCCESS OF THE EVENTS ORGANISED
With the opening of the Sailing Area at Port Canto, the 42nd edition of the Yachting Festival wanted to honour sailing in all its richness and diversity by inviting famous sailors and navigators, creating special events open to all and offering free tickets for visitors each morning from 10am to 11am from the Sailing Area.
THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS
For this 42nd edition, the Yachting Festival had the pleasure to welcome prestigious partners: the Swiss watch maker Frédérique Constant, the floating penthouse Rev House Sea, the Italian furnishing house MissoniHome, the Mercedes-Benz range through the car dealership BymyCar, the new subsidiary of the Artcurial group, John Taylor Yachting, the “historic” RMC group Saga Classic and the nautical clothing manufacturer Marinepool.
The Maisons Dalloyau and Champagne Louis Roederer provided the catering in the VIP areas of the Yachting Festival and supported the events organised throughout the week. Internationally renowned brands enhanced the incomparable luxury and yachting experience provided for the visitors. These partners also joined those already present at the Yachting Festival: Wajer Yachts, Azur Hélicoptère, Suzuki and Yamaha.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE 43RD YACHTING FESTIVAL FROM 8 TO 13 SEPTEMBER 2020