Focusing on the need of a comprehensive and holistic E.U policy exclusively for yachts.
Limassol Marina in collaboration with Dacor Advertising and Media Ltd, successfully organised the second “Limassol Boat Show Conference: Cyprus, the new yachting hub of the East Med” on 24th of May 2024, as part of Limassol Boat Show 2024, at Limassol Marina. The conference gathered industry professionals together to analyse if there is a need for a comprehensive / holistic E.U policy exclusively for yachts.
Conference panelists and guests were welcomed by Nikiforos Pampakas, General Manager of Limassol Marina Ltd. The main panel discussion featured Vassilis Demetriades, former Deputy Minister of Commercial Shipping, Evros Symeonides, Head of Sunseeker Greece and Cyprus, Stavros Caramondanis, Representative of Cyprus Marina Association, and Stavros Katsikadis, President of the Board of Greek Marinas Association who introduced the subject. Four panel discussions were then held to address the need for a comprehensive and holistic EU policy exclusively for yachts.
The first panel discussion, comprising Alexis Tselepis, Managing Director at Chelco VAT Ltd, Vassilis Psyrras, Senior Associate at Elias Neocleous & Co LLC, and Gregory Dellas, Chief Compliance and Innovation Officer at EcommBX, focused on the fiscal and legal regulations. The second panel discussion, consisting of Jonathan Harris Lowe, Managing Director Guernsey of Trident Trust, George Karapateas, General Manager of GAP Insurance Agency, Captain Nestor Negrin, Manager at BSM Maritime Training Centre, Captain Maria-Louise Saghbini, Managing Partner and Director at Maritime Training Division, discussed Crew Management / Recruitment / Training / Licensing. The third panel discussion comprising of Despoina Theodosiou, CEO of Tototheo Maritime, Alan Priddy, Environmentalist serial adventurer, Nicolas Mesaritis, Chief Technology Officer, and Nikos Karaolis, CEO of Karnic Powerboats Ltd, looked at new technologies and their implementations. The final panel discussion, comprising of Dr Angelos Menelaou, Associate Professor, Charles Redway, RYA Instructor, Tomasz Lipski, Chairman of Administrative Council IYFR Commodore for Eastern Europe and Dr Demetris Kletou, Marine Biologist and Director at MER Lab, talked about Environmental Management.
Attendees at the conference represented a range of professions, all of which play a pivotal role in expanding, servicing, and supporting the superyacht and yachting industry. Panel discussions were of the highest calibre, providing key insights on the need for a comprehensive / holistic E.U policy exclusively for yachts. Limassol Boat Show Conference 2024 undoubtedly confirmed the significant interest that exists in growing the industry further, which together with the delivery of top tier service within the sector, will make Cyprus not only a destination to visit but also one for the luxury vessels to call home. Conference participants were extremely inspired by information presented and noted that the coming together of stakeholders, policy makers and professionals to transform Cyprus’ developing yachting industry into one of the country’s fastest growing market can be achieved.
The conference concluded with closing remarks and a networking session during which participants had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation, exchange insights and foster connections within their respective industries.
The 3rd edition of the Limassol Boat Show Conference is anticipated to take place next year, within the framework of the Limassol Boat Show 2025.
