50 Years of boot Düsseldorf

Happy Birthday boot Düsseldorf! The tradeshow celebrates 50 years this January as one of the top yacht shows in the boating calendar. The nine day event kicking off this Saturday plays a unique role as both a B2B and B2C show. Boasting 18 themed areas and almost 2,000 exhibitors, the show's size and scope ensures visitors' pedometers tally up a daily marathon...but there are few shows as diverse or important in Northern Europe.

This year, more emphasis than ever is being placed on the B2B side of the show with an expanded Interior forum beside the Superyacht Show. The editor of German Superyacht magazine Boote Exclusiv said, “Interior designers need a showcase of this kind. There is a huge selection of companies and specialists – from door handle manufacturers to surface finishers.”

The Superyacht Show (hall 6)

The Christmas period was marked by activity along the Rhine as 10 superyachts made their stately way inland to Düsseldorf. Worth 30 million euros in total, the yachts will represent Ferretti, Azimut, Monte Carlo, Riva, Pershing, Oyster Yachts and Sunseeker at the show.

The 22m Sunseeker 74 P on its way to boot Düsseldorf

The show has a packed schedule of seminars and talks to take advantage of. The Bluewater seminar is hosted by long-distance sailor Sonke Roever and covers all aspects of long-distance cruising to prepare you for everything from a circumnavigation to crossing the Baltic.

The “Love Your Ocean” section captures the zeitgeist by focussing on sustainability and ocean protection (hall 14). One of the show's highlights will be the awards ceremony when Prince Albert II of Monaco will present the Ocean Tribute Award to an individual or business promoting the most innovative and sustainable ideas in maritime conservation.

2018 winners of Ocean Tribute Awards: Green Boats, Ocean Foundation and Fairtransport

boot director Petros Michelidakis outlined the ethos: “We have been supporting projects and activists that are dedicated to ocean and water protection for many years now. Our guideline in this context is the sustainability principle issued by the UN; the objective is to encourage the preservation as well as the sustainable development and use of oceans and marine resources.”

Another special aspect of boot Düsseldorf is how it encourages novices to the water, literally, and promotes nautical pastimes and holidays for people of all ages and budgets. In the Activity Centres beginners can try a whole raft of watersports including surfing, sailing, fishing and canoeing. The simulator and balance boards give you a taste if you don't fancy slipping into a wetsuit.

 

boot Düsseldorf 19 - 27 January 2019 

Open 10:00 - 18:00 daily

Find tickets here. To celebrate their birthday, boot is offering one day free entry if your birthday falls between January 19 -27.

See what other yacht shows are coming up in our Yachting Calendar

 **Photo credit: All courtesy of boot Düsseldorf.