Everything You Might Have Missed From Superyacht Summit Adria

The first-ever Superyacht Summit Adria, held on April 18, 2024, in the picturesque city of Split, Croatia, concluded with resounding success. This event brought together 100+ distinguished guests from various corners of the globe, including the Adriatic region as well as Austria, the Baltics, France, Germany, Monaco, Turkey and the UK, under the theme of “Uniting the Adriatic Yachting Industry.”

Who Was There?

Set in a modern yet living-room style environment, the Summit offered a relaxed atmosphere with insights that surpassed all we could have imagined.  Forward-thinking discussions featured notable speakers including:  

• Darko Šupuk, Publisher at Yachts Croatia & Agency Owner at Touch Adriatic;
• Dan Lenard, Co-Founder of Nuvolari Lenard;
• Tristan Mortlock, Superyacht Captain & Director at Mortlock Yachts;
• Malcolm Jacotine, Megayacht Captain & Consultant;
• Rezida Ross, CEO at Family Office & Owners Rep;
• Katarina Larisa Ham, CEO at Quintessentially SEE;
• Jürgen Popp, Managing Director at Fil Bros Family Office;
• Teuta Duletic, Managing Director at Lürssen Design Center Kvarner.

A Note On Regional Insights 

Darko Šupuk, Yachts Croatia Publisher & Touch Adriatic CEO, shed light on regional insights such as on Italy’s dominance as a superyacht builder, Croatia’s good network of service shipyards and new superyacht development in Rijeka, and Croatia’s offering as home to the world’s largest bareboat charter fleet. 

The discussion extended to the importance of regional boat shows and skilled professionals supporting the industry – in the last 25 years there’s been strong development of superyacht agents, service and refit companies and domestic charter companies.  

Across the full-day agenda, discussions underscored the strong potential for growth in the Adriatic yachting sector, despite challenges such as infrastructure development. The thriving mini cruise ship market and omnipresent bespoke luxury in Croatia were noted as significant trends shaping the future of Adriatic yachting and luxury tourism.  

Reflecting On The Summit  

Stefan Stešević, Founder of Montenegro Luxury Association, reflected on the Superyacht Summit Adria.

“The event, offered us an enriching perspective on yacht design processes, emerging trends, and innovations in the superyacht sector. It was enlightening to learn about handling elite clientele and their unique requests, through interactions with some of the world’s leading lifestyle management agencies, such as Quintessentially. The summit’s intimate and exclusive nature stood out, enabling us to engage in meaningful and personal discussions with industry peers. This setting enabled a deeper connection among participants and enhanced our networking experience, making every conversation valuable and every introduction impactful. We left the event enriched with new knowledge and inspired by the potential collaborations that could further elevate our initiatives. The insights gained are invaluable as we continue to explore and enhance luxury experiences within and beyond Montenegro. Montenegro Luxury Association is impatiently looking forward to the next one!”    

Tristan Mortlock, Superyacht Captain & Director at Mortlock Yachts shared his firsthand knowledge about Croatia as a fantastic charter destination, and Malcolm Jacotine, Megayacht Captain & Consultant gave an excellent speech focused on the pricing, characteristics and storage considerations for Hydrogen – presenting the key takeaways in a user-friendly and relatable way! 

 A Pleasant Surprise!

The Summit had a few surprises:  Jürgen Popp represented FIL Bros Family Office and highlighted the build and global itinerary of M/Y Maverick on behalf of Tom Schröder, Explorer Yacht Owner and Main Shareholder at Cantiere Delle Marche. 

Lucie Gardiner took on an additional role as impromptu auctioneer for a spontaneous auction featuring original sketches by Dan Lenard, created during his live yacht design session. The auction not only showcased the creative spirit and enthusiasm of the yachting community but also supported a local charity, embodying the Summit’s commitment to giving back to the host region.

Trends & Market Insights  

Throughout the day, event delegates had a front-row seat to trends and market insights.     

“The event provided an opportunity to meet and connect with other industry professionals who share our interest in the Adriatic, the area in which we specialise,”

said Barbara Grgurević Škoda, Yacht Charter Manager & Broker at Yacht IN.

“We engaged in stimulating conversations about various aspects of superyachting, spanning from yacht design and shipbuilding trends to why the Adriatic is a prime spot for charters, along with the exciting plans for new marina infrastructure that could establish it as a year-round destination for superyachts. Additionally, we had the opportunity to spread the word about the newly established Croatian Yachting Association (CRO.Y.A). This association aims to unite luxury charter service providers operating in the Adriatic, promote the region for superyacht charters, and establish and elevate industry standards among its members.”

Feedback 

Feedback from the event attendees confirmed the Summit had attracted the right audience, comprised of industry professionals who were both experienced and keen to embrace new concepts and tap into the region’s potential.  

Wladimir Herman, Fleet Technical Manger at FEMA Marine, considered the event to be informative and beneficial:

“Croatia is a very important destination for our clients and it’s nice to be aware of the latest news in the region. Attending this full-day summit when all participants were in the same place was a great opportunity to meet new contacts, with very interesting speakers discussing various topics (design, technical, charter). Our company is growing and it was a good opportunity to highlight our activities to many people.” 

Rounding Off 

The Summit concluded with a memorable afterparty at Makarun in Split organised in collaboration with YACHTS Croatia, cementing its place as a must-attend event in the yachting calendar where yachting companies were ready to embrace feedback and develop industry connections.  

“We’re thrilled with the success of our inaugural summit and are excited to see what the future holds for the Superyacht community here in the Adriatic. Let’s continue to bring some fun into yachting,” said Bogdan Gusarev, organiser of the summit.  

Thank you to WeAreSuperyachts for the invitation to Superyacht Content to participate as a Media Partner at the inaugural Superyacht Summit Adria in Croatia.  

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