The U.S. Superyacht Association (USSA) is celebrating the success of its Third Annual American Pavilion during the 59th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The USSA Pavilion has historically established itself as “the place” to meet, network and do business within the show, and through its location in The American Pavilion, it has become the destination within the show to present its members with a number of unique networking opportunities and allow attendees to learn more about yachting, charter destinations and service within the Americas. The USSA has created the largest land-based exhibition designed to showcase its membership through exhibit space, a designated Members-only Lounge, a seminar stage, and networking events created to drive qualified traffic to Pavilion exhibitors and sponsors.
The show began on Wednesday with the American Pavilion Opening Ceremony, featuring a bagpipe processional, presentation of colors by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department & USSA President Kitty McGowan singing of our National Anthem. USSA Member, Oceanmax helped the USSA “Light up Halloween” with the launch of their newest product, Lightspeed. The Lightspeed team then helped kick-off the evening’s networking event with an interactive cocktail competition. Several top lighting companies joined forces with U.S. shipyards competed to create the best Halloween cocktail concoctions with the assistance of the Cocktail Guru. Hundreds of guests acted as judges to determine the winning cocktail! Fairhaven Shipyard took first place among the other great participants: Lauderdale Marine Center – LMC Underwater Lights Limited, Yacht Chandlers, Thunderbolt Marine and Propspeed. Special thanks to additional sponsors The Cocktail Guru, Propspeed/Lightspeed, and Crown Wine & Spirits!
Thursday evening once again featured the USSA’s Taste of Fort Lauderdale. This event showcases the best of Fort Lauderdale to visiting members and industry guests with a delectable array of tastings from the finest local dining establishments including B Ocean Resort, Fort Lauderdale, ETARU, Historic DownTowner, Red Chair Catering, Seasons 52, Whole Foods Market, and Extreme Action Park. Attendees were able to taste their way around Fort Lauderdale and discover the best spots for dining in South Florida. Sponsored by Crown Wine & Spirits, Marine Communications Ltd., Port St. Pete, and The Cocktail Guru.
Friday brought together more than 250 USSA Members, industry leaders, and media for the USSA Annual Meeting sponsored by Shore Premier Financial, Burger Boat Company, IGY Marinas, Superyacht Northwest, Port St. Pete and Chelsea Clock Company. The Association celebrated some of the industry’s latest accomplishments with the new U.S. Flag regulation approval as well as present our Golden Compass, Beacon and Chairman awards.New in 2018 were the presentation of the Association Partner and Refit Awards.
A British Invasion took place on Friday as Viking Crew announced their new U.S. office location with a “Pimm’s O’Clock cocktail party for yacht crew and industry leaders.
Daily activities in The American Pavilion included continental breakfast sponsored by RPM Diesel and beer, wine and spirits tastings sponsored by: Crown Wine & Spirits, and an exciting mix of informative presentations on the Superyacht Seminar Stage presented by Shore Premier Finance and Perry & Neblett P.A. – Florida Maritime and Insurance Lawyers.
USSA Members, exhibitors and guests closed the show in style on “Sound the Horn Sunday” with a champagne toast and noisemaker salute as the yachts on the face dock all honked their horns to signal the close of the show.
Superyacht Seminar Stage presented by Shore Premier Finance and Perry & Neblett P.A.
From Below Deck to Cocktail Guru – The Ultimate Cocktail with Jonathan Pogash and Adrienne Gang; Viveré Chocolates – Great Ganaches with the Fine Chocolate Man, Robert Bowden; Environmental Responsibility vs. Professional Yacht Maintenance: Can They Co-Exist? by Larry Capel of Ditec; Rise of the Blue City – by Arkup & Waterstudio.NL; Nova Scotia – Come for the Coastline…Stay for the Stories; Below Deck Mediterranean – Chat with Captain Sandy and Julie Perry; Why There Is Nothing Like Australia by the Australia Tourism Authority; Top Notch Tabletop Competition Awards Presentation; Panama and the Canal by Panama; Below Deck – Chat with Captain Lee and Julie Perry with Book Signing by Blue Water Books & Charts; Cruising the Bahamas – The Possibilities are Endless by Joe Dargavage of Romora Bay Resort & Marina and Earl Miller of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; GO WILD in Patagonia and Antarctica with Carlos Miquel of SASYS; Panta Interactive presents Nautical Lifestyle Fashion Show – Designs by Fidel Mora, Cynthia Cobos and Lucia Craciun models by IMMORTALITY and ; Below Deck – Chat with Captain Lee and Lee Savage of Between 2 Yetis.
Refit America Salon
The American Pavilion once again highlighted the Refit America campaign with a unique Salonto showcase America’s refit industry which is comprised of the world’s best resources for superyacht service, repair, building, and cruising. “The U.S. has the most talented craftsmen, the most progressive technologies, and the most generous tax incentives in the world,” McGowan stated. “When guests visit the yards featured in the Refit Salon, they will be able to cruise the world more confidently than ever before.” Refit America Salon exhibitors included Thunderbolt Marine, Inc., Tradesman International, Yatco, Port 32, Fairhaven Shipyard Companies and RMK Merrill-Stevens.
The American Pavilion Exhibitors
USSA Members and Partners Exhibiting in The American Pavilion included Advanced Mechanical Enterprises FunAir Humphree Ceramic Pro Americas Maritime Professional Training MHG Insurance Brokers DAN Boater Motor-Services Hugo Stamp, Inc Neptune Group Yachting Novamar InsuranceParker Yacht Rejuvenate Marine Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) / #SYNW RPM Diesel Engine Co Yachting Pages Media Group United Yacht Transport Marina Casa de Campo RH MarineTess Electrical Sales and Service YachtNeeds app Thunderbolt Marine Port 32 Fort Lauderdale RMK Merrill-Stevens YATCO Fairhaven Shipyard Companies DiTecMarine Tradesmen InternationalPanamaYachting Marshall Islands Registry Bluewater Books & Charts YachtProjects International
The American Pavilion Aft Deck Lounge Sponsors
USSA Sponsors in The American Pavilion included Crown Wine & Spirits, Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, Hodgdon Yachts, e3 Systems, Cape Charles Yacht Center, Viking Crew, , RPM Diesel Engine Co, Port of Seattle, Marine Communications Ltd., Safe Harbor Marinas, Port St. Pete, Viveré, YES – Yacht Entertainment Studios, Dianthus Miami and The Cocktail Guru
Special Thanks and Photo Credit to Tom Serio Photography.
The U.S. Superyacht Association (USSA) is a non-profit trade association incorporated in 2006, with the mission “To promote and support the U.S. Superyacht industry and its members worldwide through advocacy, marketing and education.” For more information on the USSA and the 2017 Superyacht Summit visit ussuperyacht.com, call 800-208-5801 or email info@ussuperyacht.com. Like the USSA on Facebook at /USSuperyacht.