Despite the plethora of boat shows worldwide, whether dedicated to megayachts or all-inclusive in size, none really emphasizes what happens after the sale. Certainly, refit yards, major brokerage houses, crew-recruitment agencies, and others exhibit at traditional shows, but the focus is always on what’s new: a new build, a product introduction, etc.
To draw more attention to the important factors that come into play once a yacht has departed the build shed, a group of yachting associations and chambers of commerce in the Tuscany region of Italy have decided to create a highly specialized show. It’s called YARE, for the Yachting After Sales & Refit Exhibition.
To be held from March 31 to April 2, it’s being hosted in what’s arguably the superyacht capital of the country, Viareggio. If you’ve visited the famous seaside town, then you know full well that in pretty much every direction, up and down pretty much every street, there’s a yacht builder, supplier, brokerage office… you name it. Even more ideal, displays will be in the water and on land along Via Coppino, the street that’s home to Azimut-Benetti, Perini Navi, The Crew Network, and many other megayacht businesses.
Bolstering the efforts of the various associations and organizations behind YARE is The Yacht Report. The well-known business-to-business yachting magazine is hosting the second Italian Superyacht Forum concurrently with YARE, so that should attract more exhibitors and interested parties.
The exhibitor list for YARE is not yet available to the public, unfortunately. However, the illustration here reveals how the show will dedicate special areas to each sector of after-sales businesses: refit, classification and flag registries, brokerage, yacht management, surveyors, crew agencies, marinas, designers, and more. The two in-water displays are expected to showcase refitted yachts as well as ones available for charter. In addition, shipyards and other businesses already located on Via Coppino will allow visitors to tour their facilities. Not to be left out, companies located in nearby Massa, Pisa, and Livorno will also organize tours.
Even though this is the first event of its kind, YARE’s organizers anticipate it will be well-received. They also are in the midst of creating a partnership with Seatec, another Italy-based show dedicated to technical aspects of yachts, megayachts, and commercial vessels. Seatec is held each year in February in Carrara.
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