Biggest Yet Boat Builder Awards Launched for 2018

A new date on the opening night of METSTRADE, two new award categories, and spectacular entertainment promise to make this year's celebration of achievements in the boat building industry the best yet. 

The 2018 edition of the Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement, in association with Raymarine, is to move from its traditional Wednesday night date to the Tuesday evening, crowning the opening day of METSTRADE on 13 November. It will once again be held under the spectacular canopied courtyard of Amsterdam’s historic National Maritime Museum.

The fourth edition of the Awards, organised jointly by International Boat Industry magazine and METSTRADE organiser RAI Amsterdam, will introduce two new awards. The first will celebrate young talent in the industry, recognising the importance of skills development and retention, while the superyacht sector gains a specific category highlighting the critical importance of collaboration between builders and their supply chain.

“This year we will take the proceedings to another level, building on the successes of this globally recognised celebration of the importance of boat builders by expanding the number of awards,” said Group Director Maritime for METSTRADE, Irene Dros.

“We’ve also taken the opportunity to create a METSTRADE super Tuesday, with the show commencing with the always well attended DAME Awards and Breakfast Briefing in the morning and culminating with the stars of the Boat Builder Awards at Amsterdam’s National Maritime Museum. This will also enable us to place more focus on Boat Builder Award winners throughout the remaining show days in a special feature area, located within the I-nnovationLAB."

New Awards Categories

For 2018 the number of award categories will rise from eight to 10, to include the Rising Star award, recognising an individual up to the age of 35 who has had a major impact on the boatbuilding business they work for. Taking the growing popularity of METSTRADE’s Young Professionals Club as a guide, this category is expected to draw a very broad field of impressive nominees from across the spectrum and will highlight the critical importance of careers and skills development to the global marine industry.

The Awards will also enhance its focus on the need for close working relationships between shipyards and their partners by introducing a Collaborative Solution between a superyacht builder and its supply chain partner category for vessels of over 24m, sponsored by Lumishore.

New sponsors and opportunities

Such is the success of the Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement, in association with Raymarine, that many of last year’s sponsors are already committed to 2018 and are being joined by new partners such as Wells Fargo, which is sponsoring the International Distributor or Dealer Development award.

Some opportunities for sponsorship remain and companies interested in discovering how they can raise their image at such a high-profile event should contact Philip Pereira and Rens-Jan van Vliet. See for contact details below.

A memorable night

“We’re expecting more than 350 of the industry’s major boat builders and decision makers to attend what has become the global boat industry’s signature awards and networking event,” said IBI publishing director, Nick Hopkinson. “It promises to be a truly memorable night.”

A fleet of luxury river boats will transport attendees directly from the RAI exhibition centre to the breath-taking National Maritime Museum in the heart of Amsterdam, for a champagne reception followed by gala dinner and awards ceremony. New entertainment features are being planned for this year’s event, to punctuate the award announcements. Guests will then be able to retire to the after-dinner bar, sponsored by Viking, to toast the winners and network with colleagues.

The nomination portal at boatbuilderawards.com will open on 3 April. Entry is free and can be made by anyone wishing to highlight the excellent work of boat builders and shipyards, together with the people and supply chain businesses that make them great.

More detailed information about each of the award category, how to nominate and the full list of judges can be found on the website.

2018 Awards and Sponsors:

• Retail Marketing Initiative

• International Distributor or Dealer Development - sponsored by Wells Fargo

• Collaborative Solution between a production boat builder and its supply chain partner (yachts up to 24m) - sponsored by Ultraflex

• Collaborative Solution between a superyacht builder and its supply chain partner (vessels of over 24m) - sponsored by Lumishore

• Innovative Onboard Design Solution - sponsored by Fusion

• Innovation in a Production Process - sponsored by Dometic

• Environmental Initiative - sponsored by UCINA

• Best Apprenticeship or Training Scheme - sponsored by Marine Resources

• Rising Star working for a boatbuilder (up to age 35)

• Lifetime Achievement Award - sponsored by Sleipner (Side-Power)

The Boat Builder Awards is held in association with Raymarine and is additionally supported by after-dinner bar sponsor, Viking.