The RAI exhibit hall in Amsterdam was in full preparation mode for Metstrade, which opens tomorrow and runs through Thursday. The sounds of hammers and power tools preparing booths, exhibitors ripping open boxes for display materials, and forklifts moving crates of engines and other equipment, echoed across the show’s exhibit halls. About 1,650 exhibitors, including 250 new companies from 35 countries, will display at the show.
“This is an event arranged by the people of our sector for the people of our sector, and that is key to its ongoing growth,” said Irene Dros, Maritime Director of Metstrade, before the show.
With the additional participants, organizers announced that a number of large exhibitors have expanded their footprint at this year’s show. Celsus UK has doubled its floor space as it introduces the Kicker marine audio and Dynamat heat control brands to the European market. Dometic Group said it will showcase its entire marine portfolio together for the first time at Metstrade, including SeaStar Solutions and Dometic Blinds, which were consolidated into a single Dometic brand.
Greek distributor Lalizas has expanded its presence to accommodate its 30 staff members—its largest staff ever at the show. Volvo Penta Europe, International Paint and Liqui Moly have also expanded their booth spaces.
Soundings Trade Only also has a larger booth (12.331) in the U.S. Pavilion, and will conduct multiple live-stream interviews from global marine industry executives from Tuesday through Thursday on its Facebook page. The interviews will also be archived and available at tradeonlytoday.com.
Metstrade will officially launch tomorrow morning with the presentation of the Dame Award winners, and a keynote speech by Henk de Vries, Feadship director, on how to successfully grow a family company and make it sustainable for the future. There were more than 200 new products entered into this year’s Dame awards. A panel of judges will announce the overall winner, seven category winners and multiple honorable mentions.
As Metstrade readies to launch, companies released new product announcements. Vetus announced new glazing products and new bow thrusters. CMC will show two electric stabilizers. Yanmar is introducing an MFD YD42 display and YD25 LCD switch-panel display. The company will also show its recently launched 4LV sterndrive marine diesel engine models at the show.
Hundreds of other new products will be on display across the show’s multiple country pavilions, superyacht pavilion, marina and yard pavilion and construction and materials pavilion.
The event will also have special displays that include the Construction in Process Stage, E-nnovation Stage, Young Professionals Club Stage and I-nnovation Stage. There will also be a “Speakers Corner” where presenters will continue the discussions after the presentations.
The Metstrade I-nnovationLAB will host three panel discussions on sustainability issues, specifically on global biofouling, end-of-use boats and the latest environmental situation in the recreational marine sector as a whole.
This year’s Material District presentation focuses on bio-based and recycled raw materials. The E-nnovationLAB stage will focus on electric and hybrid information.
“The ultimate goal of our educational and knowledge-sharing program is to cover current and future topics which relate to the developments of the industry,” Dros said. “Over the past five years, we’ve been actively increasing the number of sustainability initiatives at three distinct levels: reaching out, networking and sharing information about sustainability-driven initiatives.”
