METSTRADE 2021: bringing global marine companies back together

METSTRADE © METSTRADE

The whole marine equipment industry is in the final stages of preparation for a long-awaited return to METSTRADE on 16-18 November 2021, the most powerful annual gathering of the world's marine leisure companies at any time, in any place.

Visitors to Amsterdam will network in a safely controlled environment with 1,276 exhibitors from 48 countries across METSTRADE, and the SuperYacht (SYP), Marina & Yard (MYP) and Construction Material (CMP) Pavilions. Those constrained by pandemic concerns and restrictions will be able to engage with exhibitors on the METSTRADE Connect virtual platform, with a rich programme of presentations and interviews on METSTRADE TV delivered to their desk.

Proving its claim to be at the forefront of every development in marine equipment, METSTRADE 2021 will highlight three critical strands of great importance running through its activity - sustainability, on board comfort and making boating accessible for a new audience. These are particularly evident throughout the presentation programme on METSTRADE TV, among the DAME Awards and Boat Builder Awards nominees and in the agendas of the conferences being held during METSTRADE.

New companies

A total of 180 companies from 29 countries will make their METSTRADE debuts. Among them are 10 new businesses in the Construction Material Pavilion. Trends among the new exhibitors revolve around digital innovations and sustainability such as new cutting systems, hybrid and electric propulsion systems, engines and composite fabrics. Despite the difficulty of exhibitor attendance from Asia, Australia and North America, more than 130 new products have been pre-notified for display. These include significant launches and 53 nominated DAME Design Award at METSTRADE entries, with many more discoveries to be found among the eight-hall one-off layout of the 2021 show.

A return like no other

"We have lost count of the number of times exhibitors and visitors have told us they cannot wait to get back to METSTRADE," Niels Klarenbeek, METSTRADE director states. That is an incredible compliment, but we won't take anything for granted. This year we will offer a return like no other with 1,276 exhibitors who have missed meeting thousands of METSTRADE visitors to network and do business.

As usual, the country pavilions will be a strong element of the exhibitor base with a total of 17 countries represented in 26 different pavilions. For the first time at the event one country - France - has a pavilion in all four locations: METSTRADE, SYP, MYP and CMP.

"For those able to exhibit and visit, we have created an accessible and vibrant METSTRADE that will run according to the RAI's Covid protocol. For those remaining in their home regions because travel is inadvisable or blocked, we have nine hours of high-quality broadcasts from METSTRADE TV directly off the show floor, with the option for everyone to view on demand after the event. Following our well received virtual event last December, all registered visitors and exhibitors can interact and matchmake using our METSTRADE Connect virtual platform."

Setting the scene

The Breakfast Briefing at 08:00 on Tuesday 16 November this year features professional sailor, world record holder and ocean advocate, Dee Caffari, followed by the 30th anniversary DAME Awards presentation. Many of the nominated products this year show clear evidence of the industry's move towards making boating more accessible, comfortable, and sustainable.

Dee will then join METSTRADE director Niels Klarenbeek at 10:30 - 11.00 Good Day METSTRADE! that morning on METSTRADE TV to talk about her passion for sailing and the vital importance of reducing our dependence on plastics to respect our oceans.

Read more about the DAME Design Award 2021 nominations here

Live at METSTRADE

METSTRADE's rich programme of presentations moves into our METSTRADE TV show floor television studio (this programme is powered by FPT Industrial) where the content can be enjoyed live and on catch-up by a wide audience. The schedule will feature industry experts talking about the subjects that are the priorities for the marine equipment marketplace today, from emerging trends with customers and their boats, the technical developments that are enabling innovative development and experiences, to initiatives that are improving the sustainability of manufacturing and the full lifecycle of products. Plus, viewers will gain great insights on this year's winners of the 30th anniversary DAME Awards and The Boat Builder Awards.

To see the full list of TechTalks, Sustainability Sessions, industry updates and awards insights featuring more than 40 industry personalities, visit here.

Make your connections with METSTRADE

The launch of our virtual platform to connect the leisure marine industry is perfectly timed this year to meet the needs of busy visitors, exhibitors and those who cannot attend due to restrictions. METSTRADE Connect enables you to browse through exhibitor profiles, see who else is joining, start matchmaking, set-up appointments, watch METSTRADE TV and much more. METSTRADE Connect is freely available to all registered visitors and exhibiting companies. Learn more about METSTRADE Connect at metstrade.com/connect

Supporting our emerging talent

The METSTRADE Young Professionals Club makes a welcome return to nurture and encourage our industry's gifted and talented next generations. The dedicated members-only lounge will feature a programme of meetings and tours and serve as a networking and information hub. Members can also meet Dee Caffari in an exclusive lunch on 16 November. Connections are made and maintained through the Young Professionals Club invitation only Facebook Group. Membership is for leisure industry professionals who are under 35 years of age and is completely free.

Learn more about the Young Professionals Club here

Conferences and awards

METSTRADE will once serve as the home for important sector specific events drawing in influential delegates from across the world.

This year's Boat Builder Awards ceremony moves into the Covid protocol-controlled safety of the RAI. Around 260 of the world's leading boat builders and their supply chain partners are expected to gather at 17:30 on 17 November to hear which of the 16 shortlisted entries will take top honours. The Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement, jointly run by IBI and METSTRADE, will also once again name very special Lifetime Achievement Award and Rising Star winners, to celebrate the amazing achievements of leaders in this sector and also to highlight the importance of the next generation.

See the shortlist and obtain tickets for this event here

The Boat Builder Awards are supported by headline sponsor Raymarine since the inception of the Awards in 2015, this year's category sponsors are Confindustria Nautica, Fusion Entertainment, Lumishore, Kohler Power Systems, Sleipner and Ultraflex, with Propspeed sponsoring the event drinks.

The Superyacht Forum Live in Amsterdam runs from 15-17 November with the theme Superyacht 2030. It will focus the sector's efforts on the environment and sustainability to meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and the requirements of the next generation of vessel owners. British Marine and the Marina Industries Association (MIA) will host a GMI Certified Members Global Meeting on 17 November to discuss trending topics and developments for marinas worldwide and provide an essential networking opportunity for marina professionals. The HISWA Marina Symposium on 18 November will this year focus its members attention on hospitality for marinas in the Netherlands.

Check out the full events programme here

Networking opportunities

Where would we be without METSTRADE Exhibitor Happy Hour on the Tuesday evening? It's just one of the many important networking opportunities available at METSTRADE, around the show floor itself, in the rest and hospitality areas and of course now also on METSTRADE Connect.

Safety and wellbeing

METSTRADE 2021 will be held according to the RAI Covid Protocols and the Dutch Government's guidelines. Full information on the safety precautions at METSTRADE and the requirements for incoming visitors and exhibitors can be found here.