USVI Charter Yacht Show kicks off this Week @ IGY's Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas

Brava by Viya 360 Wifi Lounge in the foreground © Mango Media

The 2024 USVI Charter Yacht Show, hosted by the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA), kicks off tomorrow and runs through November 11 at IGY's Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas. Communication is a central theme to the Show, with events planned to maximize time between brokers and crews and seminars and social gatherings designed to provide the latest industry updates. The Brava by Viya 360 Wifi Lounge, the hexagon-shaped building at the end of the marina's main dock, will be the headquarters for many of these events. VIPCA organizers are pleased to announce that Brava Solutions is the Show's official communications sponsor.

"The VIPCA show has become the perfect launch for our charter season in The Virgin Islands. It's a time to meet new crew and reconnect with our favorite crews and managers we have known for years. It often feels like a family or high school reunion," says Mandy Walker, owner/charter broker of BVI-based WLMS Yacht Charters.

Making Connections

Everything from yacht crew and broker registration to crew happy hours, seminars, the Mixology Competition, and the Awards Ceremony will occur at the Brava by Viya 360 Wifi Lounge, centrally located to the docks and yachts. Brava, formerly Viya Business Solutions, is a customer-centric company headquartered in the USVI dedicated to simplifying complex IT and security technologies by designing and managing solutions that connect and protect businesses. This enables businesses, such as yacht brokers and yacht crews, to focus on what matters most - offering guests an incredible Virgin Islands vacation on the sea. Brava's suite of services to enhance business operations and provide dependable, easy-to-use solutions are Brava Connect, Brava Synergy, Brave Cloud, and Brava Stronghold.

"By showcasing these services in our Brava by Viya 360 Wifi Lounge, Brava Solutions creates an ideal setting for brokers and crews to experience firsthand how our solutions foster a productive, secure, and seamless work environment," says Carla Delage, global communications expert. "Stop by and see us at the Brava Launch to learn how we can simplify how you do business with our tailored solutions to your needs."

New to Charter Yachts on Show

There will be more than 65 power and sail, multihulls, and monohulls, from 40- to 130-plus feet. One is Some Kind of Wonderful, a unique custom-built 72' Fountaine Pajot. She was previously privately owned and is now new to charter. She is lighter, faster, and stronger than the standard 67' Victoria, ensuring guests reach their destinations quickly and smoothly, whether under power or sail.

Some Kind of Wonderful, Courtesy Paradise Yacht Management - photo © VIPCA

"The highlight of the yacht is the exceptionally large flybridge, which boasts an oversized c-shaped sofa, two cocktail tables, two bench seats, two lounge/day beds, and a versatile awning. The flybridge's convenient refrigerators maintain cold beverages and cocktails to enhance the picturesque views, tranquil sunsets, and evening breeze, and the flybridge overhead shades the substantial aft deck," says Jill Bailey, director of operations at Paradise Yacht Management, in St. Thomas, USVI. "Having connectivity throughout the charter is a must for modern-day guests who desire to stay in touch on social media and must check in to work on the occasional."

The Some Kind of Wonderful crew for the 2024-2025 season are industry veterans, born and raised U.S. Virgin Islander, Captain Lukata Samuel, and Chef Benita Marshall.

Strong Sponsor Support

Sponsors of the 2024 USVI Charter Yacht Show include the USVI Department of Tourism; Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas; IGY Marinas; Mango Media LLC; Catamaran Central; Risk Strategies representing Trawick and Cigna; Grey Goose and Soca Shores distributed by West Indies Company; Veuve Clicquot and Captain Morgan, distributed by Bellows International; Brava by VIYA; Cardow Jewelers; Yachtly; Rockvision; Moe's Fresh Market; The Market St. Thomas; Maho Crew; Offshore Marine; Parts & Power Ltd., distributor of Northern Lights; Harbor Shoppers; Nautical Trips & Consulting; Julius Jackson, LLC; and the Charter Yacht Broker Association (CYBA).

For more information and registration, visit usviyachtshow.org