Superyacht Design Symposium: Industry insiders tell you why you should be there

The Superyacht Design Symposium is the most prestigious yacht design event of the calendar. Every year the biggest names in the design industry gather for two days of talks and technical workshops about the biggest yacht design topics of the year. But don't take our word for it — listen to these industry insiders and find out why you need to be there.

Andrew Winch, founder of Winch Design is a regular at the Superyacht Design Symposium, which he regards as “the most important conference for the yachting industry, yacht owners and yacht designers.” This year his studio will be represented by CEO Aino-Leena Grapin, who will be part of the Extreme Markets panel discussion.

One of the keynote speakers at the 2017 Superyacht Design Symposium, Leonardo Ferragamo, executive chairman of Nautor's Swan, describes the event as "very interesting and very inspiring".

"It’s a great point of reference in the yachting industry and I wouldn’t have missed it for any reason,” he added.

A key part of the programme is the Young Designer of the Year Award, in association with Oceanco. Marketing director Paris Baloumis (pictured above, centre) is proud to partner with the event, saying: "We come to the Superyacht Design Symposium because we feel like part of the family. It’s an ideal platform to meet your peers and to discuss where the industry is going to from the design and innovation side.”

Speaking at last year's Superyacht Design Symposium, Lamberto Tacoli, chairman and CEO of Perini Navi, said, “I’ve seen the event growing year by year and it’s the place to be. You can really mix with the industry; from owners to designers, builders and suppliers.”

Interior designer Celia Sawyer was part of one of the Future Lab panel at the 2017 Superyacht Design Symposium. “Meeting my fellow speakers was the most inspiring part of the event," she said. "I met a good cross-section of people and I really enjoyed listening to them.”

Superyacht law expert John Leonida is a regular at the Superyacht Design Symposium and is unequivocal about its importance, "The Superyacht Design Symposium challenges the standard, taking ideas from people outside our industry and making us think twice about what we do. The most exciting element is the willingness of the speakers to challenge the key figures in the industry.”

Interior designer Francesca Muzio (pictured above, centre) was one of the key speakers at the 2016 event. She said, "The Superyacht Design Symposium is somewhere we can share ideas directly with our colleagues. For a few days we can concentrate on design, new trends and of course some of the problems that we face in the industry. There are very exciting exchanges of thoughts between my colleagues, shipyards, builders and owners. It is quite a unique experience.”

Italian yard Fincantieri used the 2016 Superyacht Design Symposium to showcase its 85 metre Ottantacinque concept, which was developed in collaboration with Pininfarina. Head of market development Marco Mazzu (pictured above, centre) said, "I think the Superyacht Design Symposium is very important because it brings a blend of new ideas, new concepts and also some provocative points of view.”

Pictured above discussing whether the client is always right, Tim Heywood (left) and Francesco Lovo (right) were two of the key speakers at the 2016 Superyacht Design Symposium.

"The Superyacht Design Symposium is a fantastic event," said Heywood. "It’s great to be able to catch up with everybody else in the industry, to see what the latest thinking is and to just chill out and have a good time.”

"It is a rare occasion where you can face your potential customers, suppliers and competitors," added Lovo.

Superyacht designer Adam Lay (pictured above, centre) attended the 2016 event and had this to say, "I come to the Superyacht Design Symposium because of the thought-provoking discussion. It’s a great networking event, it’s a really fun location and a fun environment to be in.”