MYBA UPDATE
It’s Show Time
Jacqui Lockhart talks about the upcoming show season for MYBA
I
n little more than one week’s time, two important Med based Shows will be underway and uniting them both is a professional connection with MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association.
MYBA Charter Show At around the same time as this edition of On Board is being read, upwards of 60+ significant charter yachts will be assembling in readiness to slip into their pre-booked berth spaces at Marina Molo Vecchio in Genoa, therein forming the main attraction of the 26th edition of the MYBA Charter Show (28th April to 2nd May). Chairwoman of the MYBA Charter Show Panel and instrumental in the executive policy, planning and preparation of the Show, experienced Charter Broker, Jacqui Lockhart, had encouraging news when she said: “We were pleased to see an upsurge in early-bird bookings from shore-side exhibitors, which resulted in pretty much all available stand space being snapped up within three weeks from when applications first opened. “The shore based business side of the Show has grown in recent years and we were pleased to welcome fresh sponsorship proposals for our Business Seminar Programme and this year have extended the use of the seminar room from 8.00am until 1pm. “Every year we try to introduce new ideas for improvement and this year, have introduced a daily email / SMS service, so that visitors – upwards of 400 pre-registered charter brokers and yachting professionals – will be kept personally informed as to each day’s timetable of events. “The ever popular Chefs’ Competition makes a welcome return, so once again we are looking forward to being blown away by the skill and creativity of the Chefs and Hostesses who have entered the various categories. “In response to feedback from previous years, we have forsaken the traditional Gala Evening, in favour of a shorter length Cocktail Party which is located closer to the moored yachts. This came about so that we could give even more time over to the brokers, keen to display the splendour and excitement of their yachts as much during each evening as during the day.”
Palma Superyacht Show in partnership with MYBA Taking place between the 30th April and 4th May, the second edition of the Palma Superyacht Show gets underway as part of the 31st Boat Show Palma. In January this year, MYBA Board Members sat down with the organizers (members of the Balearic Yacht Brokers Association, who are all existing MYBA corporate members) and signed a formal agreement to become official partners to the Show. The main intention being to secure the future of the show for the industry, such that the Palma Superyacht Show can proudly claim to be the only public admission Brokerage & Charter Show organised by the industry itself. The partnership agreement made sense on a number of different levels: MYBA’s role as an industry association of 30 years standing, has always been one of responsibility, not just on behalf of its own membership, but by having an open and objective mind towards supporting other worthwhile industry events and causes. MYBA’s overriding objective being to promote, secure and maintain high standards of professionalism and ethical responsibility at all times. One aspect of MYBA backing the Palma Superyacht Show will ensure the cost of registration fees for participating yachts and brokers are kept to manageable proportions. Something, perhaps, which could not have been said for the Show should it have been allowed to pass into the hands of private organizers. Majorca is proving to be a great hub for the Show. Not only do the Balearics boast a significant high-net-worth community, but many residents are already yacht minded and have family, friends and business colleagues who may like to become so! An anticipated increase up by 50% from last year will mean that 60+ yachts of minimum length 24m for sale or for charter, plus an increased number of shore-side exhibitors will be enjoying the stylish surroundings of Palma’s Old Port. on board | spring 2014 | 131
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4/2/14 11:05 AM