“The Genoa Boat Show reflects a growing market. This is why we are optimistic.”

Alessandro Campagna, director of I Saloni Nautici, talks to us about the organisation of an event that has already sold out of exhibition spaces, and is seeing a boom in tickets sold – the 61^st Genoa Boat Show, taking place from 16 to 21 September. 2021 will be a show that will never be forgotten, in particular for the return of large brands, first and foremost the Ferretti Group, and for other changes tied to the work on the Eastern Waterfront in Genova.

What are you expecting from the Boat Show?

We are optimistic. The market, which the boat show has always reflected, is giving us very positive signs. The fact that we have sold out indicated that our image is reliable and authoritative, this is also the result of the huge work we did last year in creating and holding the only event in the industry during the pandemic. All the national and international players will be present, with some important returns and an extraordinary and ample range of businesses. As for the exhibition space, the new layout for the Boat Show will offer exhibitors and the public an even better quality and all-encompassing experience.

What are the changes to the 2021 edition?

There are so many new things. There will be over 1000 vessels and 1000 brands present in a surface area of 200 thousand square meters, with 14% more land space than 2020. The layout has completely transformed thanks to the work done for the Eastern Waterfront, begun in October 2020, completing in 2023 and ensuring an additional 200 mooring places, as well as a completely renovated indoor sports arena. The design has changed the layout of the Boat Show by knocking down the previous breakwater which separated the two docks, offering visitors a single 17-metre pier, guaranteeing an increase in water surface area of 19% and a truly singular view of the entire space.

How many premières are expected?

There will be over 20 premières presented at the 61^st Boat Show. There is the world première of the IY 14.98 by Italia Yachts, for the M’72 by Mylius, the Invictus TT280S outboard by Invictus Yachts and the new Clubman 22 Plus by Joaker Boat. Also in world première is the Amer 120, the flagship for Amer Yachts – Permare Group, with its attentive work in reducing its environmental impact both in construction and use, the Daytona 46 by Rio Yachts, created from the pen of one of the most talented Italian designers, Marino Alfani, and the new Stradivari 43 by Cantiere Capelli, which combines meticulous attention to details and finishes with innovative style. And there is more, among the other new presentations at the 61^st edition is the Absolute 48 Coupé by Absolute Yachts, the innovative BGX70 by Bluegame, the new Cranchi A46 Luxury Tender by Cranchi Yachts, Nautor’s Swan with its new Swan58 and it new Swan Shadow “engine”, the new Endurance 60 by Pardo Yachts, the Riva 68’ Diable, the new flagship of the historic Riva shipyard, and the Sunseeker Predator 55 Evo by the English shipyard, Sunseeker.

Alessandro Campagna (Photo by Claudio Colombo)

What are the flagships this year?

The flagships for the 61^st Boat Show are, for sailing, the Momi 80 by Vismara Marine Concepts, 26.20 metres long, followed by the Mylius 80, 25.57 metres long by Mylius Yachts, and the YI Yachts, 23.13 metres, by the Y Yachts shipyard by Michael Schmidt Yachtbau. In the super yachts sector, the flagship is the Sanlorenzo SD126, 37.95 metres long, followed by the Baglietto DOM 123, 37.30 metres and the Sanlorenzo SL120 Asymmetric, 36.92 metres. The flagship of the inflatable boats, with its 18 metres in length is the MX-18 Coupé by Cantieri Magazzù, followed by the Novamarine Black Shiver 18, 17.95 metres long, and the SACS Rebel 55, 17 metres. For the multi-hulls, this year the flagship title goes to the Bali 5.4 by Construction Navale Bordeaux with its 16.80 metres f.t., Lagoon 55 by Construction Navale Bordeaux, 16.56 metres f.t., and Dufour Catamarans 48 by Dufour Yachts, 14.70 metres f.t.

There are 1000 brands present and sold out months in advance: are there companies that were left out?

The exhibition spaces for the Boat Show have been sold out since June. We had to turn away a few, but at the 61^st edition, all the main national and international players will be present, with the return, after years of absence, of Ferretti, Baglietto, Cranchi Yachts, Absolute, Arcadia Yachts and Sirena Marine.

Is the return of Ferretti a further sign of the event’s growth?

The Boat Show’s growth has been consistent over the years, confirming the event to be a great showcase for national and international manufacturing. The fact that the exhibitor places have all sold out, reflects a growing market and is also the result of a 2020 edition that produced great results in terms of authoritativeness and credibility earned through the success of the last edition’s organisation, the only industry event to be organised safely in Europe during the pandemic.

Is one of your objectives to have the super yachts return to the Show?

Super yachts are already present at the Boat Show in the Yacht & Superyacht area, completing the event together with the other areas representing the market: Sailing World, Boating Discovery, Tech Trade and Living the Sea. The exhibition space for the Boat Show, in part already renewed by the work on the Eastern Waterfront, is becoming increasingly appreciated by exhibitors, who continue investing in the event. In 2023, once the work is finished, we will have 200 extra mooring places, a fully renovated indoor sports arena, and an exhibition layout that will completely transform the organisation of the Boat Show.

Giuseppe Orrù