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Farewell Abu Dhabi... until next year
3 March 2010
It's Wednesday already and about time I posted the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show round up. Before you contemplate what happened to my Monday and Tuesday this week, I must state that I was not lost in a post-show sand/party-storm. I thought it would be better writing from my UK desk today, having returned to Heathrow yesterday.
I, along with many of our industry colleagues, was shocked to be informed that during the ADYS Mrs Castro, wife of the prolific yacht designer Mr Tony Castro, had passed away. The entire team at SuperYacht World would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere condolences to Mr Castro and his Family.
At the start of the ADYS the Interior Minister and Abu Dhabi family member passed away, which led to three days of mourning within the region. Many of the Sheiks decided not to visit the show until the last day out of respect. Never the less, all of the invited VIP guests were able to visit the world's leading super yacht builders, charter companies and brokers during the three days.
The show organisers were under immense pressure to deliver a very special event and we should be aware that the venue was changed at the last moment. Last year's venue was abandoned for Yas Island and the organisers had no part in the changes.
This year's show was certainly spread over a wide area and I was aware of complaints regarding logistics, air conditioning etc. With this in mind the Show organisers will strive to absorb the list of problems and ensure that next year's show has a seamless presentation.
I and many of the exhibitors completely understand the importance of having a Super Yacht Show in this extremely exciting region. We must all now look at the positives taken from this year's show and I am sure business was conducted on site. Without doubt I will receive quantifiable documentation in the days ahead from across the globe and I will share the facts at a later stage.
Oh, the rain on the last evening was truly amazing, driven by a wind that came from out of the blue. The accompanying lightning show certainly made up for the lack of fireworks on the opening night! ME
Next, SYW will be at the Antibes Yacht Show from the 8th to the 11th of April 2010
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Abu Dhabi Yacht Show: Day 2
26 February 2010
As I approach the end of day two at the ADYS, I feel the need for more time. Can I engage with all of our good friends by the end of tomorrow? Last night's party scene was rather subdued due to the lack beverages containing alcohol. Tonight is a whole different ball game and the vintage shampoo is already on ICE!
The yacht brokers have had a mixed business day, some talk of good solid meetings and others look forward to a nice long soak in a G&T. I will have an opportunity to apraise the show in the days ahead and I look forward to giving you my honest opinion.
I must mention the wonderful service extended to me by all of the YAS Hotel Team. The proximity of the hotel to the show could not be better. At some point this evening I will dine in one of the many restaurants. Fine dining or a Donna 2.30, I can't predict! One thing is certain, you can take a look at some pictures from this morning. A bit of a sand storm and subsequent bad hair day! The picture of the chocolate pudding was a little something I prepared in my room! Have a great weekend and blog you later, ME
See the Superyacht World gallery of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show
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A room with a view... The 2nd Abu Dhabi Yacht Show
25 February 2010
Yes, yes I know it is not the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the wilder beasts are obviously all tucked up in bed but this place is amazing. Jeremy Clarkson would wear a dress for a week to have a hotel room like this with a balcony overlooking the Abu Dhabi F1 racing circuit. The circuit winds its way past the hotel, then under it - it has to be seen first hand to be appreciated.
At this point I was going to write in detail about my delayed flight due to an engine problem. I don't care now as I am here at the second Abu Dhabi Yacht Show. This year the organisers have really pushed the boat out and brought all the elements together to create a super show. Many of our clients are here from New Zealand, USA and all of the big yards and brokers from across Europe. Exhibition space is at least 60% bigger this year and spread over a much wider area, the walking will do my diet the world of good!
This evening Oceanco are hosting a party and fashion show and after that there are another half dozen party opportunities...decisions, decisions! Tomorrow we have meetings set with our existing clients and some new ones. I hope to be able to tell you which superyachts have been sold and what the gossip was from the evening's events.
For those people visiting tomorrow, don't forget the show starts at 14:00 and finishes at 22:00. I am sure you will appreciate it is a long day... good job I packed my sandwiches! ME
See pictures from the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show 2009.
Latest update: This evening Elie Saab in collaboration with Weyves Couture and Oceanco unveiled the first of three megayachts to be designed by the Lebanese designer - the ES 117 - at the high-profile launch event just moments ago. Tomorrow you will see the pictures and you will not see a dress for miles...I am sure somebody said it was a fashion show, must get a new hearing aid!
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Paddington Station to Pensord
17 February 2010
I always make time to sit next to the bronze Paddington Bear before I start my journey to the printers. One day I will leave a marmalade sandwich for the bear to eat or at least share some of mine! For the moment its rush-rush with five minutes to spare and full carriages - the prospect of standing on a train for nearly two hours was unbearable. Fortunately an elderly lady gave up her seat for me, good manners are rare in the world we inhabit!
Some time later I leave England and enter the country of Wales and meet the good people who print SuperYacht World. This is the twelfth issue and marks precisely two years since we launched the title. The covers are printed on a machine away from the main print hall and internal pages are printed on one of three huge German Heidelberg presses. Our printers appreciate the extreme standards we set and take great pride in the work they deliver. After many hours of proofing and fine tuning I leave the Pensord printers, very satisfied that number twelve will provide you with another unique and exciting issue.
The departure date for the ADYS is the 24th February and we are all very excited. Please take a look at a collection of images taken at last years inaugural show. That reminds me to buy a disposable camera in the duty free. I wonder do they still sell film cameras? Anyway, while I make my lists, SYW issue twelve is being distributed around the world and I do hope you enjoy it cover to cover. ME
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Sealions and snow drops
8 February 2010
The snow drops and narcissi have been in bloom for days. Spring arrives early in West Wittering and with it comes the pleasant fragrance that signifies summer is not too far away. Or is it a case of wishful thinking? One thing is certain, I must think about what to pack for the Abu Dhabi Show. Do I travel light as prescribed by Mr Whicker, or travel heavy as per normal - best leave it to the last second as per normal!
The list of ADYS exhibitors reads like a who's who in the superyacht business. Most of these good people are existing clients of our publication and some I am sure will be within our pages in the not-too-distant future. Blogs from the ADYS this year will report on the exhibitors thoughts on a day-to-day basis, as well as the inside track to the best parties.
Good reports from across the globe last week. Our yards are talking about strong prospects for the future and our charter brokers are now seeing some new green shoots! I think that's how we started. A client who has been with us from day one announced last Friday that "MY SEALION" had been sold. This is excellent news and our hearty congratulations go to All Ocean Yachts. We will now include brokerage news on a regular basis within the blogs.
Don't forget, keep the seagulls away from your ice-cream! ME
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Abu Dhabi Yacht Show
1 February 2010
They say the web is an opportunity for us all to amplify human nature, our own and others. Whilst most of my friends would agree I am an extremely complex character, who may benefit from an explosion of shared reflection or an opportunity to inform you all of the latest pattern on my tie, I feel I will never engage with my blog beyond thoughts and theories concerning the superyacht industry.
However, I was intrigued by the one hundred emails I have received during the past few weeks. They are all concerned as to my welfare, wondering what has happened to my blog, with some enquiring as to the state of my heath. I have in fact celebrated my 50th birthday, and before you consider why it has taken the best part of six months since my last blog, I should stress that I have been giving my undivided attention to the hard copy publication of SuperYacht World. 'Burning the midnight oil' is an underestimation of the resources required by all those concerned with creating a magazine now recognised as a leader in its field - or should I say pond, sea, ocean. Enough of this self adoration; my blue blazer is weighed down with self-presented medals.
I should now take the opportunity to introduce you to the second Abu Dhabi Yacht Show. You may recall my ramblings from almost a year ago, many of which were fuelled be the hubbly bubbly pipe. I should add at this point the tobacco was simply infused with peach and locally grown herbs, parsley and rosemary - you get the picture.
Ah, drifting again, a sudden lack of wind that is soon to be addressed by my diet in the Middle East. The ADYS this year has moved to a new location on YAS Island, a recently developed piece of sandy land. Certainly the YAS Island development has attracted great international interest over the past year. In November we had the unveiling during the first F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
We are now set for a marvellous show within these world-class facilities, a superyacht marina and an F1 circuit with the luxury YAS Hotel spanning the finishing straight - it simply must be experienced! So, during the next few weeks I will bring you some of the build up to the show and I will blog every day during the show. As a taster, take a look a the Abu Dhabi feature we published a few issues ago and please visit the show website.
ME
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Kicking off in the Carribbean
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12 January 2010
The highly successful 48th Annual Antigua Charter show (7-11 December 09) attracted record numbers of participating yachts, charter brokers, sponsors and exhibitors to the marinas of English Harbour and Falmouth.
There was little talk of world recession on the docks at this year's show when 93 of the worlds most high profile charter yachts (eight of which being massive 'mega-yachts' of over 250ft) were exhibited by vendors from such far-reaching destinations as the Galapagos Islands, the U.S.A and Europe all enjoyed the fabulous hospitality provided by the shows organiser, the Antigua Charter Yacht Meeting. (ACYM)
This year's Welcome Dinner Party drew 650 guests to enjoy the historic Copper and Lumber Store hotel followed by a beautifully orchestrated West Indian buffet dinner with formal seating arranged on the lawns of Nelson's Dockyard.
The event not only kicked off the 2009/10 Caribbean season in style, it also offered a boost to the local economy with hotels in the English Harbour and Falmouth area fully booked, restaurants buzzing and marine service companies profiting from the early season boost of business.
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Growing confidence in the charter industry
8 May 2009
Buon giorno da Genova, a city known as the "Superba" was one of the most powerful cities in the world. I love its wonderful architecture, the narrow alleys of the medieval old town together with the noble historical renaissance palaces that have recently become UNESCO world heritage sites.I will never understand what possessed planners and government just a few years ago to approve the building of "La soprelevata", which is essentially the M25 on stilts. This concrete carbuncle certainly does a brilliant job of taking your eyes away from the beautiful water front buildings.
The purpose of Bess and I visiting Genova is to be part of the MYBA Charter Show 09, currently on day five. The Boats and Brokers were attracted from all four points and it was great to see some of the boats we have featured within the pages of SuperYachtWorld during the past fourteen months.
A number of Brokers have gained charters from this show and certainly confidence is growing around the global charter business. I will file a full report during the next few days, in the meantime please take a look at the snaps and yes the weather was glorious yesterday, today it's umbrellas and leaking deck shoes !!
Ciao, ME
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Off to Genoa
30 April 2009
Please forgive the rather long interlude between the Antibes blog and now. I have a list of excuses as long as my arm, quite simply I have been totally focused on SuperYachtWorld issue 7... 'now on sale'.
I was somewhat disturbed to discover today we have a UK Bank holiday this Monday and on the same day in Italy, the MYBA Charter Show gets under way in Genoa. Best pack a small bag with speed, although I don't recall unpacking it from Antibes, not good !
Bess and I will be attending the Genoa Show from Wednesday the 6th May and the 21st edition of this Show is officially opened on the 4th through to the 8th. This show will be attended by the best Charter agencies and Superyacht Brokers from around the globe, along with an exclusive display of ancillary services.
This Show is impeccably run and I have no doubt visitors and attendees alike will be well catered for.
I now look forward to writing and posting pictures from the Show...Vederia dopo!
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Green shoots of recovery at Antibes
14 April 2009
More than 12,000 people attended the 2009 edition of the spring show in the French port, now into its third year. This year 170 yacht owners exhibited their vessels.
The small resort town, located between the more famous towns of Cannes and Nice, is on the southern coast of France.
Featuring an area called "Billionaire's Quay", this year's event also included a fashion show, a golf driving competition and a kayak contest.
A major highlight of the show was the exclusive release of the new Mercedes "E Class" vessel. The whole event defied the current international downturn.
Yacht owners and boating enthusiasts also used the show as an opportunity to hold seminars and share knowledge of the latest nautical news and technologies.
Visit our Antibes photo gallery
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Is there room for another Yacht Show?
31 March 2009
I had real doubts during the months preceding the inaugural Abu Dhabi Super Yacht Show 09. Certainly the opening ceremony was impressive and was presided over by his Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. I recall Alf Barnes opening the old London Boat Show for many years; he was given sole responsibility for the main doors at Olympia.
The Abu Dhabi exhibition hall lay tantalizingly close on the other side of the official red tape and the now obligatory x-ray machine. Security was tight, but thanks to the organisers my all area pass worked a treat…… my name was down and I was getting in.
Readers of my blog will already be aware of my enthusiasm for this show from the first hours. The world's leading Super Yacht builders were ready and willing to discuss any possible new and exciting projects and I had the rare opportunity to sit and chew the Super Yacht cud with the industry leaders, something that is unheard of during the Monaco or Fort Lauderdale Shows.
Once you had strolled around the exhibition hall, there was then a short walk through a newly built bridge which spanned six lanes of costal highway. You were then met on the other side by what can be best described as the 30M Club. The best part of 500 million dollars worth of floating fun was polished and waiting for you to have nosey around.
Next to the hard and in poll position lay the 90M Dubawi and Lauren L, another 90M Show stopper, along with the award-winning 68M Aviva a few positions away. I should mention the 85.3M Alysia - which boasts a seven-star interior and has been titled a 'Resort' afloat. The rest of the boats were all well presented and all the boats present had busy viewing diaries for the entire three Show days.
I and most of the visitors were impressed with the organization and certainly the after show parties were some of the best I have ever attended; the on water Super Yacht Ballet as a prelude to the gala dinner was simply stunning. This show will grow from strength to strength and Abu Dhabi is the perfect host. All of this bodes well for the first F1 race to be held in the city in November. I was lucky enough to see the plans and I can reliably inform you there will be a Super Yacht Marina as an integral part of the F1 Circuit……
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Partying with the great and the good
13 March 2009
I hope this is not a case of fiddling while Rome burns ? At the end of a long day treading the boat show boards, there is nothing better than a good 'Do'. The Show management did not disappoint and laid on one of the best after show parties it has been my pleasure to attend. The great and the good from the world of Super Yachts were seen and enjoyed being seen. If you can't pose here with a glass in your hand, where can you ?
The consensus of opinion after day one was filled with optimism. Be mindful that many of the exhibitors are made up from people who weld bits of metal and sand lumps of wood, the end result is a super product, a Super Yacht. Oh, and there was a good scattering of end users and a jolly nice scent wafting around them. The smell of money does not do it for me, I am more Old Spice !
You will see from the pictures the party went with a swing and the strolling 'Blues Brothers' gave it their all. Finding my way to a chilled hotel room was now on the cards as my self allocated three party hours had elapsed. This is where the story takes a sudden turn whilst waiting for a taxi. Around these parts it is not difficult bumping into people you know and on this occasion I met an old chum who insisted I join him for a night cap ! This involved a further three hours of my liver, sorry, life and all I can tell you is, shisha pipe, belly dancing and ................Taxi !
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Impulse purchases
12 March 2009
It's a case of quality and not quantity with respect to the amount of people visiting the Show during day one. You would naturally think that the purchase of any boat requires careful deliberation and months of planning; not in the UAE. The Super Yacht impulse purchase is alive and well at the Abu Dhabi Show. I've seen at least two black Amex cards being handed across in order to secure a Super Yacht purchase. At this stage we are talking deposits only, four million, "That will do nicely Sir".
We are told that the Sahara Desert was hit by a monster sand storm a few days ago and Abu Dhabi today is bathed in a sandy haze as the remnants of the storm hit town. I would imagine SY crews are going to be kept busy into the early hours sweeping, vacuuming and hosing down the decks. That is not such a big deal as it always done after a party and that is exactly were I am heading in the next few minutes. I hope to take some interesting pictures through the sandy smog and will post them over night.
Fire up the Camel James !
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Show opens - just in time
12 March 2009
The First Abu Dhabi Yacht Show was formally opened today by HH Sultan Bin Tahnoon.
It was a delight to see all of the exhibition stands complete and highly polished. Last evening the exhibition hall resembled a very large DIY Shop and I salute all the teams for working through the night.
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Live from the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show
11 March 2009
The Abu Dhabi Yacht Show starts tomorrow...12 March.
This inaugural meeting is more proof that the large yacht industry is very strong. This 'Invitation only' Event was full six months ago and is now set to rival the annual Monaco Yacht Show in terms of A-list invitees and the top-tier exhibitors.
The UAE's rapidly developing marine industry and exclusive property developments are designed to cater for super and mega yachts and the luxurious lifestyle that accompanies them.
I shall be reporting from this exciting venue on a daily basis.......including the parties ! ME
See more photos in our Boat Show gallery or visit the official Abu Dhabi Yacht Show site.
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