The International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA) in partnership with IGY Marinas announced they will organize the inaugural Caribbean Charter Yacht Show at Yacht Haven Grande – St. Thomas, USVI, from Thursday, December 9 to Sunday, December 12, 2021.
The show is expected to host 50 superyachts and exhibits from a range of support services, providing information on local cruising grounds, logistics, supplies, and shore support. There will also be a number of informative presentations, fun activities, and entertainment with a local U.S. Virgin Islands’ theme.
In one of the most popular charter destinations during the Caribbean season, Yacht Haven Grande is the perfect environment for the show, capable of berthing vessels up to 200 meters, low registration and dockage fees, and no minimum stay.
IGY CEO Tom Mukamal says in a press release, “As the leading superyacht marina owner and operator, over the years IGY has worked hard to provide a great platform for yachting businesses to connect with customers and each other and has implemented new, innovative, and frankly more economical ways for all stakeholders to generate [return on investment].”
For some time now, the industry has been discussing the future of boat shows and the challenges of the pandemic have put a greater focus on return on investment when participating in yachting events. Stakeholders want a more localized and targeted format, and with scaled-down events, stricter health and safety measures become more feasible.
“This will be a unique, intimate, secure, and value driven experience in a private marina in support of an industry that directly impacts local economies,” says IYBA President Bob Saxon in a press release. “While the need for certain large scale superyacht trade shows remain, we believe that an opportunity exists to begin to reset the boat show model and annual calendar with more targeted events like this.”