Plenty of exhibitors at the 2018 Versilia Yachting Rendez-Vous

More than 170 exhibiting companies will attend the second edition of the Versilia Yachting Rendez-vous, the international event dedicated to the high-end nautical sector held in Viareggio from May 10th to 13th.

Four festive, action-packed days in the heart of the Tuscan nautical district, a lively, functional open-air factory that will be welcoming lovers of the sea and operators in the sector.

The event was presented last week in Milan during a press conference in the studios of Radio Monte Carlo, the radio partner of the VYR. The event, significantly driven by Nautica Italiana, is organised by Fiera Milano, in collaboration with the Distretto Tecnologico per la Nautica e la PortualitĂ  Toscana, with the support of the Tuscan Regional Authorities and the Municipality of Viareggio, with the intention of involving the entire industry, as well as national and international associations in the sector.

In the Darsena Italia and Darsena Europa docks in Viareggio, in a body of water of almost 50,000 square metres, there will be about a hundred vessels with an estimated range of more than 30 metres and which, if put one behind the other in a row, would form a line about 2.5 Km long.

“We are approaching the second edition of the VYR with the awareness that we have accepted and met the requests of a leading sector under the Made in Italy label, where there was great demand for an event that could represent the luxury range. An event that was synonymous with typically Italian excellence and quality”, said Paolo Borgio, exhibition manager of the Versilia Yachting Rendez-vous. “The objective is to continue to grow, and we have all the elements we need to reach it. We have recorded an increase in the request for spaces by exhibitors coming from all over the world. That is why we needed to extend the exhibition offer, also occupying the docks of the Marina, which will ensure a larger number of vessels in the water.”

“After the miracle of the first edition of the VYR where, together with Fiera Milano, we organised a new trade fair with international appeal in just over a month, we are very satisfied with how the second edition is developing”, said Lamberto Tacoli, president of Nautica Italiana. “This enthusiasm was shared both by our partners and by all the exhibitors – a symptom of a lively and recovering market, with numbers clearly confirming it. In fact, 2016 recorded an overall turnover for the Italian nautical sector of 3.4 billion Euro. A significant increase, especially if we compare it with the 2.4 recorded in 2013”.

“The Tuscan nautical sector is growing with its district”, said Vincenzo Poerio, president of the Distretto Tecnologico per la Nautica e la PortualitĂ  Toscana. “This context is changing and adapting to a type of market which, at an Italian level, involves boats above 24 metres in a leading and growing role. Participation of Tuscan businesses, shipyards and suppliers in the Versilia Yachting Rendez-vous is growing, and this is proof of this event’s acknowledgement within the field. In this second edition, we will bring international brokers with an event within the event, like the B&ST – Broker and Shipyard Trading – which will allow this world to connect with innovative b2b methods, visits to shipyards and on board, and at the same time also to attract international clients.”

The event will showcase the best of yacht and mega-yacht manufacturers in Italian shipbuilding: Apreamare, Baglietto, Canados, Cantieri di Sarnico, Cerri Cantieri Navali, Codecasa, Fincantieri, Giorgio Mussini, GP Yachts, Gruppo Azimut-Benetti, Gruppo Ferretti, Perini Navi, Sanlorenzo Yachts, Phi Yacht (Skipper importer) and Novamarine. Foreign exhibitors include Bertram, the first American company to participate in the event for the second time. There will also be ample space dedicated to the maxi-rib sector, which will involve the participation of leading brands such as Sacs, MagazzĂą and Tecnorib.

There will also be many companies that deal with accessories and components for large yachts: we can confirm the participation of Volvo, a company specialising in the design, construction and sale of energy generators and motors; brands like Besenzoni and Opacmare, both leaders in the production of walkways and lifting systems for large vessels; Furuno, manufacturer of specialised GPS equipment for navigation at sea; Bertazzoni, a leader in the lift sector; Guidi, a company that deals with the production of certified purification filters, outlets, seawater inlets, valves and connections, and Mase Generators, a company specialised in generator units; Boero Bartolomeo, Jotun and Azko Nobel, all leaders in the paint products sector; Videoworks, a company that deals with designing, creating and installing audio/video, communication and networking, home automation and entertainment systems.

There are many new additions in this second edition, starting from the new exhibition concept. A new fair layout, made up of more ample and functional areas equipped with WiFi technology, capable of making the relationship between operators and exhibitors more comfortable, as well as a new location for the ticket offices, which will be positioned on the seaside promenade in Viareggio, in viale Regina Margherita, next to the pier and before the entrance to the port. On the promenade, there will also be an area dedicated to classic cars (VYR Preview), an area dedicated to car lovers, where there will be exclusive models and authentic examples coming from the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo in Arese. There will then be two entrances that will lead the visitors to the docks, both positioned to the North, on the Lungo Canale Palombari dell’Artiglio.

In the Darsena Italia dock, there will also be the new Exclusive Court, an area dedicated to contributions from outside the sector, as well as to luxury products and services. An extraordinary corner where you can relax and get to know the products designed for those who are driven by a passion for the nautical field and for high quality. But the second edition of VYR will also involve the presence of an exceptional partner: Maserati. The Trident Marque will provide a courtesy car service. Exhibitors will be able to book the service for their top clients, by inquiring at Maserati’s spot inside the Exclusive Court. Exhibitors will also be able to offer their clients a VIP Card, which will give them the right to numerous benefits, like the possibility of obtaining two VIP tickets to the VYR, valid for the four days of the event; access to the VIP areas and lounges at the show; two invitations to the exclusive party on the day of the inauguration; a concierge service offered by the Augustus Hotel & Resort of Forte dei Marmi, and the possibility of making use of a personal shopper, an assistant that will accompany and guide the client around the best boutiques in Versilia.

To entertain visitors, the Gold Floating Lounge will be set up at the centre of the Darsena Italia Dock, a floating island from which professional musicians will perform the music of the composer from Lucca, Giacomo Puccini, as well as jazz music. Moreover, the upcoming edition will involve the entire Versilia with a unique fil rouge, celebrating the combination of Boating, Art, Design, Fashion and Food.

On Thursday 10 May, an exclusive party reserved for exhibitors will take place in the exclusive clubhouse at the Augustus Hotel & Resort in Forte dei Marmi. Friday 11 May will be the VYR happy hour evening: along the docks and in the surrounding streets of Viareggio – including the famous via Coppino – exhibitors, visitors and residents will be involved in an open-air party, animated by a DJ set organised by Radio Monte Carlo. Finally, Saturday 12 May will be the day dedicated to Art. In collaboration with the Municipality of Pietrasanta, an artistic, cultural, and convivial itinerary will be created in the beautiful setting of Versilia.