Notes of positivity at Venice Boat Show. Dates for 2026 confirmed
The sixth edition of the Venice International Boat Show in the historic Arsenale venue and closes today (2 June) and has hosted over 30,000 visitors, 300 boats, and 270 exhibitors. The event also presented 15 world premieres – among them, the Pershing GTX 70 and the Ferretti Yachts 940.
The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, has announced the dates of the next edition of the Salone, which will run 27 to 31 May 2026, again in the historic Arsenale venue. The mayor confirmed that the event is funded for the next two editions 2026 and 2027.
Quality client leads at show
The mood at the show is positive but brands flagged challenging geopolitical issues and normalising markets. However, several companies noted that the quality of clients present at boat shows such as Venice is proving increasingly important.
Marketing manager for Greenline Yachts, Janja Cerar, explains that for her company, it is quality over quantity. “We were present at the very first Venice International Boat Show. And, in addition to the beautiful scenery, we now see that even though it’s a smaller boat show the quality of leads that we receive is really high. It’s often visitors who already know about the brand, or interested buyers that are here visiting. So maybe it’s not about the quantity, because it’s a smaller, but it’s definitely about the quality. There are ready buyers.”
Based in Slovenia, Cerar points to the convenience as a key factor as well. “The boat show is really close to us. And our test centre is just a three-hour boat ride away from Venice.”
Cerar told MIN Greenline will be revealing some new innovations later this summer.
On-water demos bring opportunity
ExploMar, which introduced its Super/Island Battery Platform at the 2025 Venice International Boat Show, reported positive footfall and said the boat show was great for showcasing the technology in an on-water setting, networking and training with its dealer AS Labruna SRL.
Brand and Pr director, Louise Lu, says: “Venice International Boat Show gives us the opportunity to explore the market more and gain a deeper understanding of this local market and the potential of our product here.
“We have come to the Venice Boat Show this time with our dealer, AS Labruna, which is the pioneer in Italy to promote the electrofication of marine transportation. The show gives us the opportunity to work closely with our dealer.”
Electric boating and sustainability
This year, the Venice International Boat Show was dedicated to sustainability and tradition.
Marking its fifth year as the technical partner for electric boat charging at the show, Aqua superPower, the global leader in marine fast-charging infrastructure, unveiled its Electric Boat Compatibility Testing Service at the show.
Discussing the 12-step testing process Aqua superPower unveiled, Karen Gill, COO, says: “Safety is non-negotiable in the transition to electric boating. Our Compatibility Testing Service ensures electric boats connect flawlessly with our global charging network, prioritising user safety and system reliability. Launching this at the Venice Boat Show, where we’ve powered sustainable boating since 2021, reinforces our commitment to a safer, greener marine future.”
Read MIN’s interview with Gill on the future of electric boating and AquaPower’s vision.
Italian brands say quality is key
Besenzoni, the Italian designer and manufacturer of standard and custom-made products for sail boats and yachts including gangways, automatic roof systems, pilot seats and bathing platforms, says it is important for the Italian brand to support Italian shows.
“This is the sixth year in a row we have exhibited here. There are two main reasons we exhibit at Venice International Boat Show… firstly there are many owners in the area and thus we can address owners directly. We also have any shipyards that are clients in the region,” says Roberto Coven, area sales manager.
“We feel the boat show is growing. There are more yachts on the water and thus we can showcase our products to these clients.”
According to Besenzoni, things have stayed pretty stable overall across its different product categories. . However, helm seats and multifunctional ladders saw about a 20 per cent increase between 2023 and 2024. The ladder-gangways are currently performing best because they offer two functions in one product.
A spokesperson for Ferretti Group, a key exhibitor at the show, says that the Venice Boat Show has always been important to the company and is increasingly an “unmissable event” – the historic setting showcasing the boats in the best possible way.
There were over 30,000 visitors at the Venice Boat Show this year – primarily Italian, but also from Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Slovenia, the United States of America, Croatia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Poland – making a notable rise in international attendance, according to organisers.
Dealers provide positive feedback
Technohull also returned to Venice this year with two of its standout models, the Alpha 40 and GTX. The Greek shipyard presented its vessels in collaboration with its Italian representative, Campello Marine, to promote the brand’s plans for further expansion across Southern Europe.
Luca Campello, from Campello Marine, says that Venice International Boat Show is ideal for a product like TechnoHull, being “ideal for attracting the right clientele”.
“Attendance has been good, and the interest in TechnoHull came from a clientele specifically looking for the sporty features that the boat can offer, as well as its layout, which meets the needs of boaters with families,” says Campello.
