IGY’s Caribbean Yacht Launch a Welcome Boost for the Season

As the Caribbean season fast approaches, the yachting industry finds itself in a very different position this year.

With that in mind, IGY is gearing up to host an event tailored to our times, bringing brokers and industry professionals together in a safe and protected environment to maximise and increase awareness of what exactly is available for the 2020/2021 winter season.  

Built as a ‘yacht gathering’ rather than a show, the inaugural IGY Caribbean Yacht Launch takes place over three days from Wednesday, December 2^nd to Friday, December 4^th at IGY’s state-of-the-art Yacht Haven Grande in St Thomas, USVI – recently named 2020 Superyacht Marina of the Year by The Yacht Harbour Association for a third time.

Specifically designed to support retail charter yacht bookings and charter support service companies at a time when the need for assistance could not be greater, the event will also celebrate the arrival of the Caribbean season in style.

Charter brokers will be able to access valuable information on destinations via daily webinars as well as up-to-date news on local travel and Covid-19 regulations.

A limited number event, there are no entry fees and all participating yachts will receive a complimentary dockage voucher for any Caribbean IGY marina equal to each night stayed during the show.  Standard dockage pricing applies with no additional stay required.

Charter yacht profiles are also available to all participating yachts, which will be promoted across the extensive IGY global customer network.

Tom Mukamal, IGY’s CEO, tells OnboardOnline: ‘Over the years IGY has worked very hard not only to serve as the leading superyacht marina owner and operator but also as a great platform for other yachting oriented businesses to connect with customers and each other to deliver meaningful content in furtherance of a better, more transparent, and enjoyable experience for all stakeholders. 

‘We have always discussed and tried to implement new, innovative and frankly more economical ways for stakeholders to generate ROI.’

Naturally, strict health and safety measures will be in place at all times to ensure that guests can relax and enjoy the proceedings safely with the knowledge that their protection is paramount. Registration for the event is mandatory and reservations are required for all activities. Rapid onsite Covid-19 screening will also be available.

Highlights include IGY’s IronCrew competition, USVI, BVI, St. Maarten and St. Barths updates on how to enjoy a successful yacht charter season, Covid-19 testing and availability, current accessible destination itineraries throughout St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix as well as a guide to which major attractions remain open in the region.

Provisioning and security updates will also be available and delegates can enjoy visiting participating yachts (numbers on board will be limited and face masks and social distancing are required.)

And once the work is done, attendees can look forward to a casual yet elegant and socially distanced Dock, Dash and Dine experience, which will run from lunchtime into each evening at Yacht Haven Grande’s acclaimed restaurants Navy Beach, Enkai Sushi and Moe’s Fresh Market. Socially distanced sporting fun can also be had at the organised tennis, gym, volleyball and yoga initiatives.

Adds Tom: ‘The pandemic has now added the element of health and safety to the category of “security” which is an area we’ve historically placed a lot of focus. To continue to deliver on this mandate, so to speak, trust and relationships will matter more now than ever.

‘We are hopeful that our track record and relationships will help us to deliver a high value, safe and more intimate event which is not established as an independent profit center but is intended to drive enhanced value to yacht owners, guests, brokers, agents, captains and crew.  

‘The more we can safely facilitate activity and the more we can help our clients enjoy their charters and yachts, the better the ecosystem is for all of the support companies and other stakeholders.’

Yacht Haven Grande is the perfect environment in which to host this event, as one of the busiest charter destinations during the Caribbean winter season, capable of berthing yachts up to 200m (656 ft).

Caribbean Yacht Launch will close on Friday, December 4^th with an informal awards ceremony and some elegant pool chilling time during which guests can continue to build and cement new friendships while socialising in a stylish and protected environment.

‘This will be a unique, intimate, secure, value driven experience in a private marina environment in support of an industry that directly supports local economics,’ adds IGY’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Bert Fowles.

‘The global pandemic has forced businesses to re-evaluate how our industry can best showcase products and services to customers and facilitate the exchange of useful content. 

‘While the need for certain large scale superyacht trade shows may remain, IGY believes that an opportunity exists to begin to reset the boat show model and annual calendar to more intimate events like this.

‘IGY sees its global network of marinas and industry partners as a platform for such events. Working together, we look forward to this process of reinvention and to better benefit the industry and its stakeholders.’

For further details on how to register for Caribbean Yacht Launch, please contact info@IGYmarinas.com

Download EVENT BROCHURE.

View PROVISIONAL AGENDA.