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60th Genoa International Boat Show opens today

by Confindustria Nautica 1 Oct 2020 01:07 BST 1-6 October 2020
Genoa International Boat Show © Stefano Gattini

THE WAIT IS ALMOST OVER FOR THE 60th EDITION OF THE GENOA INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW TAKING PLACE FROM 1st TO 6th OCTOBER THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE AT 10.30 TOMORROW MORNING WITH CABINET MINISTER PAOLA DE MICHELI, FOLLOWED BY THE INAUGURAL CONFERENCE “60 YEARS OF YACHTING, A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE”

A great sense of expectation surrounds the Ligurian capital as the yachting world awaits the opening today, Thursday 1st October, if the 60th edition of the Genoa International Boat Show, the only Boat Show in Europe to happen in the Covid era, scheduled to take place from 1st to 6th October 2020.

At 10.00am the local and national authorities will be met by the President of the Italian Marine Industry Association Saverio Cecchi on their way to take part in the traditional opening ceremony at 10.45 on the Blue Pavilion Terrace, where the national flag will be hoisted and saluted, marking the start of the world fair.

An inaugural conference will follow at 11.00 dedicated to “60 years of yachting, a bridge to the future”. Speeches will be expected from Paola De Micheli, Italy’s Cabinet Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Manlio di Stefano – Secretary of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Giovanni Toti – President of the Liguria Region, Carlo Ferro – President of the Italian Trade Agency, Marcello Sorrentino – CEO of Fincantieri Infrastructure, and Saverio Cecchi - President of the Italian Marine Industry Association. Moderating will be TG La7 Deputy Director Andrea Pancani.

“The wait is finally over. Tomorrow will mark the beginning of an emblematic edition, inspired by safety and effectiveness – affirmed Saverio Cecchi, President of the Italian Marine Industry Association. This year’s Genoa International Boat Show will act as a shining example of management in these demanding times and as a unique point of reference for global events, even beyond the yachting sector.

None of this could have been possible without the support of local institutions, with the Liguria Region’s President Giovanni Toti and Mayor of Genoa Marco Bucci coming together in a state of emergency to make this event happen. Special thanks also go to the Italian Trade Agency who, once again this year, are supporting the Genoa Boat Show and the industry as a whole.

We never doubted the event would take place, it is the corner stone of our Association’s mission. Our Boat Show will be a global icon of determination and Italian know-how, an event that will reflect Italy’s world-class industry, a strategic, international, must-see showcase of the Made in Italy brand.”

“I am especially proud – stated Liguria President Giovanni Toti - of the fact that Genoa and Liguria will be hosting the first Boat Show dedicated to the world of yachting after Covid. Just like after the Morandi Bridge tragedy, we have been determined to see the Genoa Boat Show take place: even in such difficult times, we need to give the world a sign that things are getting back on track, particularly when it comes to such a strategic sector for the Liguria region and the nation’s economy, in need of this world fair as a way to reinvigorate it: the fact that the Show will take place, as is tradition, in the city of Genoa, adds even more value to an event that is in itself an essential hub for the global market.

Tomorrow’s inauguration is a symbol of the exceptional efforts of all those involved, of the system’s capacity to react and, most importantly, of the will to keep looking forward. The health and safety protocols will be strict: a pool of experts and engineers will be monitoring the situation constantly, tickets can only be bought online, there will be two entrances, thermo-scanners, automated turnstiles and varied routes through the Show, all aimed at making sure the highest standards of health and safety are met when it comes to visitors and exhibitors. All who want to take part will find Genoa as magnificent and beautiful as ever, ready to welcome you”.

The opening ceremony and inaugural conference will be streamed live, on the website, and on the Facebook pages of I Saloni Nautici and the Italian Marine Industry Association (Confindustria Nautica). You will also be able to follow the main events, conferences and talks throughout the week on the same platforms.

This will be followed, at 1.00pm at the Breitling Theatre, by "Colour, beauty and innovation. A voyage of excellence from Genoa to Dubai", an event dedicated to the adventure that will see Italy and its territories take centre stage at the Expo2020 in Dubai. The event is organised by Gruppo Boero and the Italian Expo Dubai 2020 Pavilion, speakers will include Andreina Boero, President of Gruppo Boero, Marcello Fondi, General Committee Member for Expo 2020 Dubai and Giovanni Soldini – skipper ocean sailor. Moderating the event will be Antonio Macaluso, columnist for the Corriere della Sera. This will be part of the "One Year to Go" events calendar promoted throughout Italy to celebrate the road to next year’s Universal Expo as an opportunity for Italy to relaunch its own cultural, economic, scientific and tourism attractiveness on the global stage.

At 3.30pm the President of the General Confederation of Italian Industry will visit the Genoa Boat Show, welcomed by President Cecchi and by the members of the Italian Marine Industry Association’s Board. During his visit President Bonomi will meet with industry entrepreneurs and enjoy a visit through the trade fair.

The Forum Hall located in the Blue Pavilion, at 6.00pm will host a conference entitled “The alphabet of the future – tomorrow’s networks”, a tale of the Group’s papers and sites, held by La Stampa/ Il Secolo XIX, which will be touring Italy and will make a stop at Genoa for the International Boat Show: a journey through cities and a variety of topics, where the common denominator is innovation. Moderators will be Massimo Giannini, Director of La Stampa and Luca Ubaldeschi, Director of Il Secolo XIX. Speakers will include Alessandro Profumo – CEO of Leonardo Group, Carlo Bonomi – President of the General Confederation of Italian Industry, Giovanni Soldini skipper and ocean sailor, and Carlo Molaschi, e-commerce manager for Esselunga.

10.544 skippers have already registered for the Genoa - Trieste Regatta 2020, held by the Genoa International Boat Show and the Barcolana on the online platform virtualregatta.com, a digital event that will set sail tomorrow 1st October at 10.45am, a non-stop regatta that will cross its finish line in Trieste on the eve of the 52nd edition of the Barcolana scheduled to take place on 11th October.

On the website salonenautico.com you can find all the information to enjoy the Genoa International Boat Show and make the most of your visit. Remember that tickets can only be purchased online.

ALL OF TOMORROW’S EVENTS – 1st OCTOBER
Breitling Theatre
10.30am – 1.00pm: Live stream of the Opening Ceremony and Inaugural Conference: 60 years of Yachting, a bridge to the future
1.00 – 2.30pm: “Colour, beauty and innovation. A path to excellence from Genoa to Dubai" – organised by the Boero Group and the Italian Pavilion Expo Dubai 2020 – with Giovanni Soldini
3:30pm: visit: Carlo Bonomi, President of the General Confederation of Italian Industry
2.30 – 3.30pm: Press conference: Presenting the Coast Guard’s “Safe Sea” data and environmental campaigns– Organised by the Italian Port Authorities
4.00 – 5.00pm: Conference held by the Lega Navale: culture, sport and community, the yachting foundation for bodies and associations in the Third Sector.
5.00 – 6.00pm: Press conference held by Antonini Navi
Mezzanine Floor, Blue Pavilion
10.30 – 11.00am: Opening Ceremony – Blue Pavilion Terrace
11.00am – 1.00pm: Inaugural Conference: 60 years of Yachting, a bridge to the future – Blue Pavilion Terrace
6.00 – 8.00pm: The alphabet of the future – A tale of the group’s papers and sites: a journey through a variety of cities and discussion points, the common denominator of which is innovation – organised by La Stampa/ Il Secolo XIX – Blue Pavilion Terrace
7.00 – 8.00pm Press conference held by Suzuki – Forum Hall

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