The International Sailing Summit will be held on Nov. 17 in Amsterdam on the eve of the annual Marine Equipment Trade Show.
Hosted by British Sailing, an association of the British Marine Federation, and sponsored by METS, the summit is a worldwide forum that enables industry leaders to drive change and promote sailing on a global scale.
Since its launch in 1999, the ISS has become a networking event that attracts many of sailing’s key industry contacts, sporting legends and companies involved in all aspects of sailing.
“We are very pleased that ISS 2014 will be held the day before METS gets under way,” Amsterdam RAI maritime domain manager Irene Dros said in a statement.
RAI is the convention center where both events will be held.
“As the marine industry continues to enjoy a fresh wind, it is more vital than ever that people from across the industry partner together to promote watersports in general,” Dros added. “METS offers the ideal occasion for this. We already host renowned congresses, such as the Global Superyacht Forum, and the addition of the International Sailing Summit offers clear added value to the METS proposition as a global platform.”
“I would like to encourage the industry to attend and learn from leading minds about how they can be part of a winning team, growing the sport of sailing worldwide,” ISS founder Alistair Murray said. “The sponsorship from METS recognizes the show’s support for the industry and the command our forum has in the sector.”
The theme of the sailing summit will center on “Waking up the sailing industry — how sailing needs to modernize, diversify and develop to attract and retain participants.”
Topics include recent innovations; the growth of sailing in Asia and other international markets; programs for women and youth; organizations/programs that have reinvented themselves to grow; and alternative sports that have increased participation.
