Visit to Monaco

This September, Maren’s Liz Travers flew out to Monaco – the world’s second smallest country and hub of Mediterranean fun and glamour. Located on the French Riviera coastline and surrounded by rugged mountains, Monaco hosts the premier event in the yachting industry calendar. The show welcomes around 28,000 visitors, 500 companies and 100 super yachts each year, and 2010 was its 20th anniversary.

As always, the event gave Liz a golden opportunity to meet up in person with customers and contacts: “For me, the Monaco Yacht Show provides a few days of convivial networking and a chance to see the latest developments in the market”, said Liz. “I really enjoy being part of this vibrant industry, and marveling at all the latest fabulous products on show. It’s a stunningly beautiful location to do business in … despite the occasional heavy rain shower!”

Captains are notoriously hard people to pin down, but many take the time to attend the show; some are on board the yachts on display, showing prospective clients around their immaculate floating mansions. The place heaves with high net worth individuals, journalists and industry professionals, and Port Hercules buzzes with well-dressed attendees of all nationalities. Hotel rooms are at a premium so many visitors and exhibitors choose to stay nearby and travel along the scenic railway line into the principality each day. The Thursday of this year’s show proved to be a challenge for some, as a national rail strike was called – no doubt the taxi drivers benefitted, however!

The exhibition also offers the opportunity to meet up with current and future clients and suppliers. It is fascinating to admire the latest innovations on the numerous stands – from luxury interiors to the latest communication systems and products and services of all kinds.

For Liz, the Monaco Yacht Show continues to be well worth a visit – perhaps she will see you there in 2011!

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