METSTRADE opens registration and announces event details

METSTRADE, the marine trade exhibition organiser, has opened registration for its 2024 event. Further details have been revealed about the event, which will take place from 19 to 21 November at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center. 

Back to its usual Tuesday to Thursday running schedule, the show spans 11 halls and, building upon last year’s attendance, will welcome over 1,500 exhibitors and global leisure marine professionals from more than 130 countries. 

Niels Klarenbeek, director of METSTRADE, says: “Feedback consistently informs us that participants heavily rely upon METSTRADE as their pivotal annual professional platform to network, research, create business opportunities and source solutions. We take those expectations seriously.

“We’ve put together an outstanding line-up, with an extensive, carefully curated programme of presentations, features and discussions, centred around highly relevant industry themes: emerging technologies, sustainability, and accessibility and inclusion.”

Kicking off the show with the keynote speech at this year’s Breakfast Briefing is New York Yacht Club American Magic skipper and president of operations Terry Hutchinson on 19 November. 

The exhibition will feature several key components, including the DAME Design Awards, which recognises marine equipment design, and the Foiling Technology Pavilion, which showcases advancements in sailing technology. Meanwhile, the Next Generation Propulsion Zone will highlight the latest in electric propulsion, hybrid technology, alternative fuels, and battery systems with daily panel sessions. 

The event will also mark the 10th anniversary of the Boat Builder Awards, celebrating technical improvements in yacht building. Winners will be displayed following a ceremony at Amsterdam’s National Maritime Museum on 20 November. 

METSTRADE 2024 will introduce further elements to its programme. The Superyacht Forum, recently acquired by METSTRADE, will be integrated into the event from 18-19 November. This addition, facilitated by METSTRADE’s Superyacht Content Board, aims to create a comprehensive platform for the superyacht industry. The Yacht Racing Forum will also make its debut in Amsterdam, running alongside METSTRADE from 20-22 November. 

The event continues its focus on industry development with initiatives like the Young Professionals Club & Career Zone, in partnership with Marine Resources, where meet and greet workshops and one-to-one coaching sessions have been added. Returning for its second year is the Start-Up Pavillion, in conjunction with Yachting Ventures, with 15 new businesses showcasing innovative ideas and products. New for this year is a collaboration with Feadship, recruiters from the Dutch suepryacht builder will be offering shipyard tours to select young professionals. 

Sustainability remains a key theme, with an expanded Superyacht Sustainability Route highlighting exhibitors listed on the Water Revolution Foundation’s Hub of Verified Solutions, and the Equipment Recyclability Hub making return appearances. The METSTRADE Theatre will host presentations on various sustainability topics, including updates on ICOMIA’s Propelling Our Future research.

The Women in Marine Industry Event, now in its third year, will address the impact of technology, AI, and people on the future of work in the marine sector. Organised by METSTRADE, Marine Industry News, Soundings Trade Only, and British Marine, the panellists for this year’s event have now been announced. Last year’s event exceeded the maximum capacity, so organisers are encouraging interested parties to register as soon as possible.

Additional partner events running in parallel with METSTRADE will include the 28th HISWA Symposium on Yacht Design and Construction, the HISWA MARINE Symposium, and special courses by the National Marine Electronics Association. 

Registration for METSTRADE 2024 is now open to trade visitors and is free until 12 November, after which a €70.00 online registration fee applies. Access to the METSTRADE Theatre is free for all attendees. Further information of all activities is now available on the METSTRADE website.