Date released for 13th International Sailing Summit

The 13th International Sailing Summit (ISS) will take place in Amsterdam on Monday 17 November 2014. This is the day before the start of the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) which runs from 18th-20th November 2014. The International Sailing Summit will be hosted by British Sailing, one of the British Marine Federation's (BMF) group associations.

The International Sailing Summit is a worldwide sailing forum bringing together the best in the industry to drive positive change and promote sailing on a global scale. Since its inception in 1999, the ISS has become recognised as a world leading networking event for the sailing industry. Held in a different venue every year, it attracts many of sailing's key industry contacts, sporting legends and businesses involved in all aspects of the sport.

ISS Founder Alistair Murray commented: "We are delighted to confirm BMF's British Sailing are hosting this year's event. I would like to encourage the industry to attend and learn from leading minds about how they can be part of a winning team, growing the sport of sailing worldwide. I am also pleased to announce METS as one our principal sponsors. The sponsorship from METS recognises the show's support for the industry and the command our forum has in the sector."

The 2014 Summit theme will centre on 'Waking up the sailing industry – how sailing needs to modernise, diversify and develop to attract and retain participants' and will include:

• Recent innovations in the industry
• Growing sailing in Asian and other international markets
• Existing programmes successfully growing sailing amongst women and young people
• Examples of organisations & programmes that have re-invented themselves to grow through recent challenging times
• Alternative sports that have been successful in increasing participation

Alice Driscoll, Chair of BMF's British Sailing said: "We are delighted to be organising this event as it is fundamental to our industry as a whole. The opportunity to debate and collaborate on how sailing needs to modernise, diversify and develop is paramount for the industry to grow."

The Summit gives key industry leaders an opportunity to share their views on the current global state of the sport and the opportunities that exist, all with the key aim of promoting sailing on an international scale. Doris Colgate, from Offshore Sailing commented on a previous summit "Thanks for always pushing us to new heights. I am inspired and excited to step out of our somewhat comfortable box to inspire more people to try sailing. I came away with ideas that are going to push our management team in a different direction."

To register interest in attending, to become a sponsor or to nominate a presenter or topic please contact Amanda Simpson, Training & Events Manager at BMF on .