Cannes Yachting Festival to go ahead

The Cannes Yachting Festival has announced it is going ahead as planned on 8 to 13 September.

“After many weeks of uncertainty in light of the context, intensive discussions with our clients, the City of Cannes, our partners and suppliers; and a great deal of work with local authorities, we are pleased to have reached the final stretch before the opening of the Festival,” explains Sylvie Ernoult, show manager. “This year’s watchword is adaptation. We have adapted the festival format and its offer to best cater to our exhibitors’ needs in terms of space and budget constraints, and the new health standards.

“Faced with the challenges, thanks to their great flexibility and constant adaptation to the problems that have arisen, the departments at the City of Cannes, the Nice Côte d’Azur CCI and our suppliers (stands, pontoons, general installation, shuttles, etc.) have supported us, thereby enabling us to plan and prepare the Festival in record time. Organising the event is rarely smooth sailing, but these past months have brought us close to 12 on the Beaufort scale. Thanks to our loyal exhibitors, who have really stepped up, and the commitment of all the stakeholders involved in the event, we are confident in holding the Festival.”

In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the boats and stands have been installed in accordance with a General Health and Safety Plan (PGSS) drawn up by the Festival and presented to the Prefecture, the City of Cannes and suppliers. This plan is based on the health measures recommended by UNIMEV (the professional federation of the events industry) and presented to the government, and the reference document that Reed Exhibitions Group has produced for all its trade shows internationally. 

“Given the shutdown of many production sites and the ban on water-based pursuits, the nautical industry has suffered a great deal. This is why we have put all our efforts and expertise into ensuring that the 2020 edition takes place, thereby giving yachting industry figures the opportunity to come together, exhibit their products and new developments and be reunited with their clients face to face. We are aware that every exhibitor is in a unique situation and our aim is to provide each one with tailored support. We are working to make sure their presence at Cannes is a key factor in resuming their activities,” adds Sylvie Ernoult. 

While it’s full steam ahead in France, it’s day three of waiting for a SIBS announcement which we were told to expect by the commercial director on 1st July, and which we’ve now been told to expect later today. 

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