Australian Superyacht Rendezvous 2019 - A true celebration of yachting in Australia and Asia Pacific
by Andra Bite 24 May 2019 06:27 BST
17-18 May 2019
Australian Superyacht Rendezvous © Ken Roney
Australia turned on a spectacular celebration of yachting and its superyacht capabilities when the third annual Australian Superyacht Rendezvous was staged on Friday, 17th and Saturday, 18th May at Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM).
Over two memorable days of business and pleasure, the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous told the world that Australia and the Asia Pacific is ready to welcome the world's superyachts to its waters for unrivalled charter experiences and world-class marine re-fit and repair services.
International guests arrived from Monaco, Hong Kong, Tahiti, New Zealand, Thailand, UK, USA, Canada, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Indonesia and Singapore to find out more about what Australia and the Asia Pacific region could offer a larger global superyacht fleet.
Superyachts making up the elite and diverse $250+ million fleet at the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous 2019 a mix of charter and sale vessels which range in size from 24 to 63 metres included Atao, Aurora, Beluga, Christella, Corroboree, Deep Blue, Dreamtime, Karanita, Masteka 2, Ocean Alexander 88, Patriot 1, Silentworld, Sophia, Southern Cross II and Summerwind.
Trenton Gay, CEO of GCCM and organiser of the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous said the collective enthusiasm and collaboration across Australia and the Asia Pacific was palpable and one of the many reasons why the region was such an ideal choice for global superyachts.
"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 re-fit and repair infrastructure that is second to none in the world," Mr Gay said.
"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," he said.
"Each year the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous gets bigger and stronger as more global eyes turn to why this region is superyacht-ready."
Australian Superyacht Rendezvous was a series of invitation events attended by captains, crews, brokers, agents, marine industry professionals and complimentary industries along with superyacht owners and corporate who's who.
The events kicked off with Benetti the world's largest shipyard and superyacht company making waves by staging its first ever Australian Yachtmaster event on Thursday, 16th May as a lead-in to Australian Superyacht Rendezvous. Now in their 19th year, Benetti's coveted Yachtmaster events have been staged around the world for superyacht captains and industry professionals to learn about the latest news and commercial practices from Benetti's two shipyards at Viaraggio and Livorno in the famed Italian region of Tuscany.
Around 60 Australian captains and industry professionals attended the Benetti Yachtmaster dinner with presentations from Benetti's Asia Pacific General Manager, Peter Mahony and other special guests.
Benetti made its debut at the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous last year (2018) in a bid to further understand the Australian market and evolve its brand within the region. Benetti's evolving presence in the Australian market has seen the development of some key partnerships including a strategic partnership with host venue, Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard (GCCM) to ensure Benetti owners have priority access to a world class "one stop shop" for repairs and maintenance with an impressive concentration of 80+ onsite marine trades.
On Friday, 17th the official first day of Australian Superyacht Rendezvous saw lively industry discussion at an Industry Round Table followed by a micro-expo concluding with a celebration by nightfall.
Over four hours with a capacity attendance of 180 owners, captains, brokers, agents, policy makers and industry experts from Australia and overseas, the Industry Round Table generated shared insights and ideas about the growth of the superyacht industry in the region.
By nightfall, the industry was ready to celebrate its allegiances and strengths and the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous swung into party mode with more than 250 guests turning out for the Industry Event to enjoy the very best of Australian hospitality along with Benetti's Botanicals Bar dishing up gin and negroni cocktails.
As an insight into the luxury world of superyachts and supercars, Saturday, 18th May commenced with invited guests and a colourful array of supercars assembling for a Yacht Hop. Twenty supercars including Porsches, McLarens, Lamborguinis, Ferraris, a Bentley and Audis joined the dazzling line-up of superyachts.
The Australian Superyacht Rendezvous culminated in the VIP Gala where the "who's who" of the Australian and international superyacht world including superyacht owners and buyers from around Australia gathered for a high glamour VIP cocktail event celebrating Australia and the Asia Pacific as a superyacht hotspot.
As the sun went down, chic and immaculate guests yacht hopped aboard the dazzling $250 milliion+ line-up of luxury superyachts to enjoy champagne, whiskey and oyster tasting bars, Cook Island Dancers and jewellery and timepiece showcases from Hardy Brothers Jewellers and Ulysee Nardin and yachts styled by Analu Luxury Italian Interiors.
While in the exclusive VIP marquee overlooking the superyachts with an overall tropical Australian rainforest theme, the Benetti Botanical Bar served Australian inspired gin cocktails and desserts and guests were wowed by botanically dressed wait staff and eye-popping and real-life "botanical lamps" who moved around guests, illuminated and creatively covered in body art, flowers and foliage.
Live entertainment included Welcome to Country and digeridoo performances plus jazz and swing from 'Rhydian and the Residuals' then beats from one of Sydney's hottest DJs DJ Feline, who had guests up and dancing the night away before a spectacular fireworks conclusion.
Channel 7 television personality Mark Beretta was the evening MC.
With more than 40 sponsors and event partners on board, platinum partners include Adagold Aviation, Benetti and GCCM while gold partners include Ahoy Club, Aurora Global Logistics/Peters & May, City of Gold Coast, Hardy Brothers, Hayman Estates by Mulpha and Seal Superyachts.
Further information about Australian Superyacht Rendezvous 2019 is available by visiting www.australiansuperyachtrendezvous.com