Middle East Superyacht Briefing

Thursday, 24 March, 2011
10am – 1pm
Yas Hotel, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Held alongside the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show

1st Middle East Superyacht Briefing – A Resounding Success

The 1st Middle East Superyacht Briefing  was declared a resounding success by the myriad of participants who attended this focused event, held alongside the 3rd Abu Dhabi Yacht Show. The Middle East Superyacht Briefing was designed to provide a unique opportunity for senior executives to meet, network and develop new business opportunities and relationships within this lucrative and fast developing market.

The event provided the ideal opportunity for participants to focus on the opportunities, destination updates and major developments within the Middle East Superyacht industry.  Almost 100 key decision-makers in the Middle East Superyacht industry attended and gained an insight into the current state of the Middle East Superyacht industry, factors driving its growth and development and must have information on the regulatory environment governing the Superyacht industry in the different Middle East countries.

The presentations helped address a serious dearth of information on the regional yachting industry and related businesses, such as marina development, regulation and security. The presentations highlighted the growing prominence of the Middle East, and the need to expand the global industry’s knowledge and understanding of it.  Attendees engaged in lively debate with regional decision-makers and the networking refreshment breaks provide the ideal opportunity to meet and develop future business relationships.

The Middle East Superyacht Briefing included the following presentations;

Super Yachting Redefined –An Industry Perspective from the Gulf
•    An assessment of the growth of the Superyacht business across the Middle East
•    Understanding and responding to the change in client’s requirements
•    Investing in manufacturing facilities in yachts up to 50m
•    The rationale behind the launch of the Gulf 95 expedition model

Super Yachting Redefined Presentation
Erwin Bamps, Chief Operating Officer, Gulf Craft
Download Here

Understanding Middle Eastern Clients and the Market for Superyachts
•    What kind of Superyachts do Middle Eastern clients prefer and why?
•    The role of brands in the eyes of Middle Eastern clients
•    How do clients use their yachts and where do they go?
•    Expected future growth and key developments

Middle East Superyacht Briefing Presentation
Constantinos K. Costantinou, President & CEO,  ART Marine
Download Here

Regulations and Cruising Permits
•    Definitions of a Superyacht in the Middle East
•    Essential requirements and compliance
•    The latest Government regulations and their impact
•    Obstacles to overcome and future opportunities

Henderson International Group Presentation
Alex Linnitt
Download Here

Superyacht Asset Management and Security
•    Essential requirements for managing Superyachts on behalf of Middle Eastern clients
•    Ensuring Superyacht safety and security is maximised
•    Security issues and mitigation

Maritime Security and Asset Management Presentation
Richard Skinner, Richard Skinner, Director, Orchid Office
Download Here

The Future of Megayacht Marinas in the Middle East
•    The critical infrastructure required to support the growing industry
•    A new standard for the design, development and operations of Megayacht facilities
•    The need and opportunities for ancillary service required to support the industry

Superyacht Facilities in the Middle East Presentation
Matthew Bate, Director of Operations, Mourjan Marinas IGY
Download Here


Erwin Bamps, Chief Operating Officer, Gulf Craft
Erwin Bamps is managing the daily operations of the holding group Gulf Craft, with its core business in motor yacht and leisure craft construction for worldwide export, under a variety of brands, Majesty Yachts, Oryx and Silvercraft.   Working subsequently in Japan, Belgium, Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, he has chosen to be part of organizations that are multicultural and multinational, with global ambitions.   With a strong engineering background, he considers people and negotiation skills to be his biggest assets to create & grow brands, and to improve bottom-line profitability.  Gulf Craft is continuing its expansion into the Superyacht business and its currently extending its fleet.

Constantinos Constantinou, President & CEO, ART Marine
Constantinos Constantinou,  joined ART Marine in September of 2009. A passionate boating and diving enthusiast, he has been professionally in the boating industry for over 25 years. Starting with his own boat and yacht distribution and services company which he managed for 10 years, he was eventually recruited in 1995 by US boat and yacht manufacturer Sea Ray as Vice President of International Operations. In that role, he recruited a competent team and provided the leadership resulting in the tripling of the company’s international dealer distribution network. He has negotiating and established contract manufacturing agreements and strategic distribution alliances world-wide. He remained with Sea Ray for 10 years reaching the position of Senior Vice President of International Operations and Strategic Alliances, after which he was recruited by Cobalt Yachts as their President. Constantinos’ higher education was attained at Switzerland’s University of Zurich. He is well known and highly respected in the marine industry internationally, having established a strong network of marine peers on a global scale.

Alan Linnitt, Director, Henderson
Alan Linnitt is the Managing Director of Henderson International LLC, a company celebrating its 25th year in the marine industry. Having started as Project Manager on a 38m Luxury Dhow Yacht, Alan was then promoted to Yachts Division Manager before becoming Managing Director in March 2010. Alan has been working closely with and advising the National Transport Authority on recreational yachting and opened the Maritime Training Centre at the Royal Yacht Club, Ras Al Khaimah in September 2010. Now in talks with numerous other marinas, Alan expects the yachting market to increase in the next few years.

Richard Skinner, Director, Orchid Office
Richard Skinner is a Director of the Orchid Group with responsibility for the commercial operations of the group in the Middle East and Asia. He has a number of years experience in the management of significant capital assets in various regions of the world. The work which the group does is focused on managing and maintaining the security of owner, crew and yacht through a range of risk management strategies. The current hot issue of piracy and combating this threat is a major part of company’s operations and many of the yachts which transit through the Indian Ocean region benefit from the expertise of the Orchid yacht security teams.

Matthew Bate, Director of Operations, Mourjan Marinas IGY
With over 15 years of experience, Matthew Bate is the Director of Operations for Mourjan Marinas IGY, providing innovative development and management solutions for marina lifestyle destinations. Matthew is responsible for the management of Mourjan Marinas IGY’s marina and waterfront projects in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, and he is also a vital part of the business development activities across the region.   Matthew also played an integral role in the restructuring of Island Global Yachting to Mourjan Marinas IGY in 2009.   Prior to working with Mourjan Marinas IGY and Island Global Yachting, Matthew was the General Manager of Rivergate Marina and Shipyard, Australia’s newest and most compressive Superyacht destination. In this role, Matthew helped raise the benchmark in the Australian Marina Industry for the design, construction and services for Superyacht Marinas and Shipyards.  He attended the International Marina Institutes Advanced Marina Management School in Fort Lauderdale and is one of the first to qualify worldwide to become a Certified Marina Manager (CMM).

The 2nd Middle East Superyacht Briefing 2012

Following the success of the first event, the Informa Yacht Group will be organising the 2nd Middle East Superyacht Briefing in 2012.  If you wish to discuss how you can participate as a speaker, delegate or sponsor, please contact:

In the United Arab Emirates
Ken Jamieson, Group Director, Informa Yacht Group on:  ken.jamieson@informayachtgroup.com, Tel: +971 4 4072666

In Singapore
Simon Turner, Event Director, Informa Yacht Group on: simon.turner@informayachtgroup.com, Tel: +65 6494 9267

1st Middle East Superyacht Briefing – A Resounding Success

The 1st Middle East Superyacht Briefing  was declared a resounding success by the myriad of participants who attended this focused event, held alongside the 3rd Abu Dhabi Yacht Show. The Middle East Superyacht Briefing was designed to provide a unique opportunity for senior executives to meet, network and develop new business opportunities and relationships within this lucrative and fast developing market. The event provided the ideal opportunity for participants to focus on the opportunities, destination updates and major developments within the Middle East Superyacht industry.  Almost 100 key decision-makers in the Middle East Superyacht industry attended and gained an insight into the current state of the Middle East Superyacht industry, factors driving its growth and development and must have information on the regulatory environment governing the Superyacht industry in the different Middle East countries. The presentations helped address a serious dearth of information on the regional yachting industry and related businesses, such as marina development, regulation and security. The presentations highlighted the growing prominence of the Middle East, and the need to expand the global industry’s knowledge and understanding of it.  Attendees engaged in lively debate with regional decision-makers and the networking refreshment breaks provide the ideal opportunity to meet and develop future business relationships.

The Middle East Superyacht Briefing included the following presentations;

Super Yachting Redefined –An Industry Perspective from the Gulf
•    An assessment of the growth of the Superyacht business across the Middle East
•    Understanding and responding to the change in client’s requirements
•    Investing in manufacturing facilities in yachts up to 50m
•    The rationale behind the launch of the Gulf 95 expedition model
Erwin Bamps, Chief Operating Officer, Gulf Craft
Click for bio

Understanding Middle Eastern Clients and the Market for Superyachts
•    What kind of Superyachts do Middle Eastern clients prefer and why?
•    The role of brands in the eyes of Middle Eastern clients
•    How do clients use their yachts and where do they go?
•    Expected future growth and key developments
Constantinos Constantinou, President & CEO,  ART Marine
Click for bio

Regulations and Cruising Permits
•    Definitions of a Superyacht in the Middle East
•    Essential requirements and compliance
•    The latest Government regulations and their impact
•    Obstacles to overcome and future opportunities
Alan Linnitt, Director, Henderson
Click for bio

Superyacht Asset Management and Security
•    Essential requirements for managing Superyachts on behalf of Middle Eastern clients
•    Ensuring Superyacht safety and security is maximised
•    Security issues and mitigation
Richard Skinner, Director, Orchid Office
Click for bio

The Future of Megayacht Marinas in the Middle East
•    The critical infrastructure required to support the growing industry
•    A new standard for the design, development and operations of Megayacht facilities
•    The need and opportunities for ancillary service required to support the industry
Matthew Bate, Director of Operations, Mourjan Marinas IGY
Click for bio

Erwin Bamps, Chief Operating Officer, Gulf Craft (add picture)
Erwin Bamps is managing the daily operations of the holding group Gulf Craft, with its core business in motor yacht and leisure craft construction for worldwide export, under a variety of brands, Majesty Yachts, Oryx and Silvercraft.   Working subsequently in Japan, Belgium, Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, he has chosen to be part of organizations that are multicultural and multinational, with global ambitions.   With a strong engineering background, he considers people and negotiation skills to be his biggest assets to create & grow brands, and to improve bottom-line profitability.  Gulf Craft is continuing its expansion into the Superyacht business and its currently extending its fleet.

Constantinos Constantinou, President & CEO, ART Marine (add picture)
Constantinos Constantinou, President & CEO, joined ART Marine in September of 2009. A passionate boating and diving enthusiast, he has been professionally in the boating industry for over 25 years. Starting with his own boat and yacht distribution and services company which he managed for 10 years, he was eventually recruited in 1995 by US boat and yacht manufacturer Sea Ray as Vice President of International Operations. In that role, he recruited a competent team and provided the leadership resulting in the tripling of the company’s international dealer distribution network. He has negotiating and established contract manufacturing agreements and strategic distribution alliances world-wide. He remained with Sea Ray for 10 years reaching the position of Senior Vice President of International Operations and Strategic Alliances, after which he was recruited by Cobalt Yachts as their President. Constantinos’ higher education was attained at Switzerland’s University of Zurich. He is well known and highly respected in the marine industry internationally, having established a strong network of marine peers on a global scale.

Alan Linnitt, Director, Henderson   (add picture)
Alan Linnitt is the Managing Director of Henderson International LLC, a company celebrating its 25th year in the marine industry. Having started as Project Manager on a 38m Luxury Dhow Yacht, Alan was then promoted to Yachts Division Manager before becoming Managing Director in March 2010. Alan has been working closely with and advising the National Transport Authority on recreational yachting and opened the Maritime Training Centre at the Royal Yacht Club, Ras Al Khaimah in September 2010. Now in talks with numerous other marinas, Alan expects the yachting market to increase in the next few years.

Richard Skinner, Director, Orchid Office (add picture)
Richard Skinner is a Director of the Orchid Group with responsibility for the commercial operations of the group in the Middle East and Asia. He has a number of years experience in the management of significant capital assets in various regions of the world. The work which the group does is focused on managing and maintaining the security of owner, crew and yacht through a range of risk management strategies. The current hot issue of piracy and combating this threat is a major part of company’s operations and many of the yachts which transit through the Indian Ocean region benefit from the expertise of the Orchid yacht security teams.

Matthew Bate, Director of Operations, Mourjan Marinas IGY (add picture)
With over 15 years of experience, Matthew Bate is the Director of Operations for Mourjan Marinas IGY, providing innovative development and management solutions for marina lifestyle destinations. Matthew is responsible for the management of Mourjan Marinas IGY’s marina and waterfront projects in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, and he is also a vital part of the business development activities across the region.   Matthew also played an integral role in the restructuring of Island Global Yachting to Mourjan Marinas IGY in 2009.   Prior to working with Mourjan Marinas IGY and Island Global Yachting, Matthew was the General Manager of Rivergate Marina and Shipyard, Australia’s newest and most compressive Superyacht destination. In this role, Matthew helped raise the benchmark in the Australian Marina Industry for the design, construction and services for Superyacht Marinas and Shipyards.  He attended the International Marina Institutes Advanced Marina Management School in Fort Lauderdale and is one of the first to qualify worldwide to become a Certified Marina Manager (CMM).

The 2nd Middle East Superyacht Briefing 2012

Following the success of the first event, the Informa Yacht Group will be organising the 2nd Middle East Superyacht Briefing in 2012.  If you wish to discuss how you can participate as a speaker, delegate or sponsor, please contact:

In the United Arab Emirates
Ken Jamieson, Group Director, Informa Yacht Group on:  ken.jamieson@informayachtgroup.com, Tel: +971 4 4072666

In Singapore
Simon Turner, Event Director, Informa Yacht Group on: simon.turner@informayachtgroup.com, Tel: +65 6494 9267

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