SHOWS Review: Australian Superyacht Rendezvous
SUPERYACHTS CENTRE STAGE
T
he third Australian Superyacht Rendezvous enjoyed a strong local
turnout but also attracted a diverse international guest list, with
attendees coming from Asia, Europe and North America.
Overseas visitors came from New Zealand and South Pacific
nations Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Tahiti, as well as from Hong Kong,
Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, while others flew in from as far as UK,
Monaco, USA and Canada.
The event at Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM) included
Captains, crew, brokers, agents, marine industry professionals and
superyacht owners, while Yacht Style was among media partners.
This year’s edition featured over two days of events and a fleet of
superyachts, for charter or sale, with a total value of over A$250 million,
according to organisers. Attending yachts included Atao, Aurora, Beluga,
Christella, Corroboree, Deep Blue, Dreamtime, Karanita, Masteka 2,
Ocean Alexander 88, Patriot 1, Silentworld, Sophia, Southern Cross II and
Summerwind.
A day ahead of the event, Benetti staged its first Australian Yachtmaster,
which attracted about 60 Australian Captains and industry professionals,
and featured presentations from Peter Mahony, Benetti’s Asia Pacific
General Manager, and other special guests.
The Italian superyacht builder made its debut at the event in 2018
last year and has a partnership with GCCM to ensure Benetti owners have
priority access to a one-stop shop for repairs and maintenance.
The official first day of the Rendezvous featured a four-hour industry
round table, drawing a capacity attendance of 180 owners, Captains,
brokers, agents, policy makers and industry experts from Australia and
overseas. The round table was followed by a micro-expo and later by a social
event for over 250 guests.
To give an insight into the luxury world of superyachts and associated
luxuries, the second day commenced with invited guests and a colourful
array of supercars assembling for the Yacht Hop. Porsches, McLarens,
Lamborghinis, Ferraris, a Bentley and Audis were among 20 supercars that
complemented the line-up of superyachts open for viewings.
The second and final day culminated in the VIP Gala cocktail event,
which celebrated Australia and the Asia-Pacific as a superyacht hotspot.Trenton Gay, CEO of GCCM and organiser of the Australian Superyacht
Rendezvous, said: “As more superyachts across the globe look to migrate to
the southern hemisphere, the message is that Australia and the Asia-Pacific
are more ready than ever with the cruising grounds and marine refit and
repair infrastructure that is second to none in the world.
“Australia offers affordable and high-quality marine skills, expertise and
reputation to ensure that superyachts can be safely and securely based and
serviced while accessing cruising grounds across the Asia-Pacific region.”
Among more than 40 sponsors and partners of the event, Adagold
Aviation, Benetti and GCCM were platinum partners, while Ahoy Club,
Aurora Global Logistics/Peters & May, City of Gold Coast, Hardy Brothers,
Hayman Estates by Mulpha and Seal Superyachts were gold partners.
For photos of the VIP Gala and first Benetti Australian Yachtmaster, see the
EVENTS section.http://www.australiansuperyachtrendezvous.comGuests from around the world attended the third Australian Superyacht Rendezvous,
which again promoted the Asia-Pacific as a superyacht destination.© DAMIEN BREDBERG