YachtSalesInternational.com/Greenline Yachts

Eddy was fortunate to grow up in one of the most influential families in the yachting industry.  His grandfather founded Broward Marine, his father founded Denison Marine, and of course, his older brother took over Denison Yachting and has turned it into one of the most successful brokerage firms in the world. He won the “Rookie of the Year” award as the top selling first year broker at Denison Yachting, as well as earning his CPYB (Certified Professional Yacht Broker) certification, while working on new builds, refits, and crypto-currency deals, making him a versatile broker. Eddy’s true passion is all things marine electric, which has heightened with the current push by the marine industry into environmentally friendly engines and technology. He looks forward to continuing his career and contributing to his family’s high standards and legacy. Eddy believes with education and honesty he can help more clients enjoy getting out on the water and making memories with families and friends.

Ethical Yacht Wear

Lauren Wardley owner and founder of Ethical Yacht wear started out as a stewardess 6 years ago due to her passion for the hospitality industry and her immense love for the ocean. An entrepreneur at heart, Lauren’s desire was to create a company that could give back to our oceans and planet. After a series of ventures Ethical Yacht Wear was born. Ethical Yacht Wear specialises in providing the international yachting industry with sustainable, luxury uniform and industry apparel. The uniform is designed using a combination of the most earth friendly fabrics available, predominantly utilising organic cotton and recycled performance material incorporating ocean plastics. The company operates on a circular business model, having prevented over half a million plastic bottles from entering the world oceans and providing vital necessities to families living in poverty through sustainable uniform sales. Ethical Yacht Wear’s mission is to support their ocean and land based clientele through the transition to high quality, fair trade, sustainable uniforms and in turn provide the opportunity to give back to our oceans and planet that make the yachting industry possible. Lauren’s dream came true through the evolution of Ethical Yacht Wear and the company’s ability to be utilised as a force of good.

Teakdecking Systems

Richard Strauss is the CEO of Teakdecking Systems (TDS), headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, and offices in Ft. Lauderdale. Under his tenure at TDS, the company has expanded its reach to an international level by establishing a company in Barcelona and a factory in Valencia (Spain) to accommodate their global clientele. With a career spanning 40 years in the marine industry, Strauss graduated from Florida Tech, and has held positions in product development and engineering, manufacturing, and management.

TDS is globally recognized as the premier supplier for manufacturing and installing teak and composite decks. In addition to their decks, the company also offers a line of maintenance products designed to ensure their decks’ longevity. TDS remains committed to responsible practices by sourcing legally harvested teak, green teak, or plantation teak while also investing in R&D to create new and innovative products. Furthermore, TDS continues to seek alternative wood sources worldwide each year.

As an employee-owned company, TDS employs over 140 individuals, and in 2023, the company celebrates its 40th anniversary in business.

Water Revolution Foundation

Robert is co-founder and executive director of Water Revolution Foundation. He’s responsible for the daily operations of the foundation, the relations with partners and the successful completion of its annual programmes. He has 15 years experience in the yachting sector, starting as intern at Feadship, then 12 years at the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) and in between 1 year in South Florida with MIASF.

Water Revolution Foundation description

Having started from within the yachting sector, our mission is to drive sustainability in this strategic industry through collaboration and innovation, leading the way towards neutralising its ecological footprint and preserving the world’s precious oceans. Healthy oceans are not just vital for the future of the superyacht industry, they are crucial for the planet’s wellbeing

Susan Zellers is an accomplished dynamic leader, with a background in association management, workforce development, economic development, advocacy, community coalition building and event management.

For two decades, she led the Marine Trades Association of Maryland as their Executive Director.  In that role she worked as a state lobbyist for recreational boating interests, representing the boater and the trades.  She initiated the Marine Trades Industry Partnership for Workforce Development through a grant from the State of Maryland which was recognized nationally for pre-apprentice training.  She planned and coordinated conferences, trade shows and social events for the organization.

Prior to MTAM, Susan held the appointed position of Director of Economic Development for the City of Annapolis.  Here she served as a liaison with the business community while working to recruit new businesses to Annapolis and Maryland.

In December of 2021, she was awarded the ‘Chesapeake Bay Ambassador’ award by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.  One of the highest and most prestigious awards that the state confers upon citizens who are active leaders in supporting a better Chesapeake Bay. Through the pandemic, she served on the City of Annapolis’ and the State of Maryland’s business recovery task forces.  She has served on national task forces for recreational boating career marketing and been active in the National Marine Trades Council.  In Maryland, she chaired the Visit Annapolis board of directors and served on the Executive Directors Council to Maryland Tourism Development.

Zellers is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.  Go Buckeyes!

With an empty nest and the new-found ability to work remotely, Susan relocated to Sarasota, FL in September of 2021.

Chief Programs Officer

The International Seakeepers Society

Tony Gilbert is a Miami native who has always had a love for the ocean. Most summers were spent in the Florida Keys, sailing, fishing, and wakeboarding. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Florida State University in Tallahassee, he moved back down to Miami, where he spent years in the Fashion Retail Industry in operations, logistics, and marketing. He then received a Juris Doctor degree with a focus on Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law. While in Law School he worked as a legal assistant as well as in the business development department of a high-profile architecture firm. His diverse background and experience have now led him to The International SeaKeepers Society as Chief Programs Officer, engaging the yachting community in the pursuit of scientific research, education, and conservation of our oceans.

Diane M Byrne is the Chair of the U.S. Superyacht Association. Contact Me Here

Diane M. Byrne is one of the best-known and highly respected yachting journalists worldwide. Among her nearly 30 years of overall reporting and editing, nearly 25 of them have been in yachting. She founded MegayachtNews.com in 2007 and continues to operate the site today, overseeing all aspects of content creation and design.

Diane has been covering megayachts since 1993 and is closely involved with the leading professional organizations not just in the yachting field, but also in journalism and entrepreneurship. She has been a member of the U.S. Superyacht Association since 2009, serving as chair the annual Superyacht Summit since 2015 and becoming Chair of the Board of Directors in 2021.