Nominations for Bl Design & Innovation Awards Open

Nominations for the Boat International Design & Innovation Awards, previously known as the ShowBoats Design Awards, are now open.
 
With a new name and sharper focus, the refreshed awards programme will acknowledge not only the naval architecture and styling but also the design aspects that represent innovation and engineering amid the changing demands of owners and the increased technology product portfolio. The Awards, now in their 9th year, continue to be the pinnacle honour within the superyacht design community, bringing the specialist skills of the industry's most talented teams into the spotlight.

Read more about the new direction of the awards directly from Co-Chairmen, Marilyn Mower and Cecile Gauert of Boat International Media, using the link below.

The winners of the 2017 ShowBoats Design Awards

 This year will see several new categories introduced, which represent the dynamic shifts underway in the superyacht industry. New categories for 2018 include:

Best Lifestyle Feature Design
Honouring a single space or contiguous spaces either indoors or outdoors designed as a living or entertaining space on a yacht.
 
Best General Arrangement and Deck Design
Honouring smart ideas in layout design, incorporating crew and guest flow and enhancement of service, maintenance and operation by crew including stowage and launch of tenders and water access for guests.
 
Best New Production Yacht Design
Honouring new models for their practicality, research & development and anticipated commercial appeal. The new model must be introduced and launched during the entry period, and can be power or sail, but must not be a custom one-off.
 
Best Ecological Design and Operation Innovation
Honouring the yacht that best demonstrates concern for reducing the vessel’s impact on the planet today and in the future via critical thinking and smart use of available or new materials to reduce carbon output, demonstrate use of low impact, sustainable or recycled materials and end-of-lifecycle planning.

Yacht designers, builders and owners are encouraged to submit their nominations before the closing date of 13 October, 2017. The winners will be selected by a jury comprised of yacht owners, acclaimed designers and stylists from both inside and out of the marine industry.

Kitzbühel, in the heart of the Austrian Alps

To qualify, all yachts must be over 30m and have been completed and delivered to their owners between 1 November, 2016 and 31 October, 2017. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony held during the Superyacht Design Symposium, high amongst the Austrian Alps in Kitzbühel, in January 2018.