Super Yacht Americas WPB Edition 4 - 2025

The 4th Super Yacht Americas 2025 WPB is organized by Mare Forum and supported by our leading partner, Cayman Registry.

This conference will be attended by: yacht owners, yacht builders, yacht designers, executives from the yacht, shipping and maritime industries, lawyers, flag and port states representatives, brokerage companies, key investors in yachting, bankers, consultants and entrepreneurs, classification societies, marine and yachting equipment manufacturers, financial institutions, regulators, and the media.
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There are no boring company presentations or long and predictable speeches, only dynamic and lively discussions between the panellists and audience participants.

‍‍This prestigious gathering is to exchange views, visions and valuable information on the yachting future, making this forum another imperative and meaningful event.

‍It will be inspiring, Be there, Be heard.

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P R O G R A M

Canopy by Hilton West Palm Beach - Downtown

08:30 - 13:00 Mare Forum Conference
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch hosted by Cayman Registry
14:00 - 17:00 International Superyacht Society Leadership Series
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08:30
Registration & Networking Coffee

08:50

Opening and Welcome

Organizer:
‍Georgios (Ilios) Kostoulas, Executive Director, Mare Forum
Conference Chairman:
- Peter Southgate Regional Director Americas, Cayman Registry
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09:00

Session 1

‍Wealth Trends

‍- Wealth and the multi-billion super yacht market outlook.  
- Trends in Yacht Finance

Session Chair:

- Sherice Arman Partner, MAPLES
Discussion Panellists:

- Pascal Savoy U.S. President, Camper & Nicholsons
- Barbara Amerio CEO: Sustainability Director, Permare/Amer Yachts
- Ralph Dazert Head of Intelligence, SuperYacht Times
- Nurettin Caliskan President Foreign Relations, Turkish Shipbuilders Association / GISBIR
- Tony Vamvakidi Chairman, North Star Yachting

10:00

Session 2

Creating Future Talent in Yachting - Investing in People.

Addressing the human capital trends essential for the industry’s evolution.
‍- Skillset Demands: The necessity for new skills, charisma, diversity, and talent in yachting. How to achieve this?

- Attracting New Talent: What are the strategies to engage and recruit the next generation?
- Crew shortage retention: What actions need to be taken?
- Training: The increasing number of fires related to electric water toys and hybrid yachtsrequires specific battery fire training for the crew.

- Educational Role: What is the role of yachting education in a sustainable context?

- Future Trends: Understanding what the younger generation seeks in a career.

- Industry Image: Strategies for improving the public perception of yachting. 

Session Chair:

- Fiona Johnson CEO, Blue Star Standard International
Discussion Panellists:

- Norina Edelman CEO, International Marine Management
- Graeme Lord President, Professional Yacht Crew Cayman
- Gabriella Cramer President/Founder, GC MARITIME Consulting & Training, LLC
- Captain Shane Mace Master, M/Y Jodi Ann

11:00

11:30
Session 3

Legal, Regulatory, and Risk Management Challenges – What is urgently needed?

Examining regulatory frameworks, risk management, and the need for enhanced governance in the superyacht sector. The Multi-Relationship Dynamics: What is the role of yacht owners, regulators, charterers, class societies, capital providers, and all other service providers in balancing risk and interests within the multi-relationship structure, focusing on a sustainable and commercially viable yachting industry?

- Navigating Regulations: How can the yachting industry be proactive and create proactive approaches to regulations?
- What are the regulatory gaps and implementing measures to address safety concerns.
- How can safety and operational standards in the yachting industry be enhanced?
- New regulations and standards are needed to address safety concerns, particularly around lithium-ion battery systems and water toys.
- There is a need to impose insurance regulations on unregulated vessels and the roleof insurance companies in driving compliance.
- There is a need for a common voice at the IMO to address regulatory challenges. Action to be taken
- Overregulation is a real challenge for yacht owners.
- Taxation and registration complexities across jurisdictions.

Session Chair:

- Peter Southgate Regional Director Americas, Cayman Registry
Discussion Panellists:

- Erin Ackor President, International Superyacht Society
- Louis Montello Fouder, Montello Law
- Michael Moore Founding partner,  Moore & Co
- Thierry Voisin Chairman, European Committee of Professional Yachting
- Engel-Jan de Boer Global Yacht Segment Director, Lloyds Register
- Alex Chumillas Managing Director, Tax Marine & Aviation

12:30

Final Thoughts and Call to Action - Conclusions and Recommendations

General discussion with all conference participants

Conference Chair:

- A. Joel Walton CEO, Maritime Authority of Cayman Islands

13:00 -14:00‍

Networking Lunch hosted by the Cayman Registry

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14:00 - 17:00

International Superyacht Society Leadership Series (also accessible for non-ISS members attending the general program)

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Session Structure:

14:00 – Case Studies
1.      Review and discuss real-world (hypothetical) case studies presented by each panelist.

15:30 – Coffee Break

15:45 – Strategic Recap & Audience Engagement
1.      What have we learned?
2.      Open discussion with the audience: Key takeaways and lessons learned.

Moderator:
- Rick Thomas

Panelists:

- Captain Ken Bracewell
- Egil Nordstrom Head of Fleet Compliance, Hill Robinson Yacht Management
- Engel-Jan de Boer Global Yacht Segment Director, Lloyds Register
- Michael Moore Founding partner,  Moore & Co
- Peter Southgate Regional Director Americas, Cayman Registry
- Rob Carron US Yacht Practice Leader, Aon Private Risk Management
- Teresa Bennett Founder, The Boat Lawyer

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17:00-18:00

Networking Drinks hosted by Mare Forum & PARTNERS (for Mare Forum ticket holders)

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