The 27th Annual Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach was clearly a classy rival to the Cannes International Boat Show, another yacht and jet set mega confab. Miami's red carpet gathering continues to be distinguished as one of the world's most prestigious marine industry events taking place in Florida's own version of the French Riviera.
Miami Beach, FL - The Yacht & Brokerage Show unspooled along the mansion strewn, mile-long Indian Creek fairway between February 12-16, 2015. The multi-million dollar display showcased the world’s most respected yacht designers, builders and brokerage firms. Spreading over 1.2 million square feet the man made marina moors over 500 mega yachts valued at over a billion dollars. Showcases of luxury automobiles, exotic pavilions and cocktail lounges also served to delight the over 50,000 guests.
Throughout the Marine Exhibitions and the myriad of yachts on display, were a number of exclusive events. The Ferretti Gala on February 13 was one of the standouts. “If it is on the water you will find it at the Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show,” according to Thomas Begier of the Forex Capital Fund and guest at Ferretti and Allied Marine’s opening night gala.
Among the invited guests were Christian Johnston, intrepid Director and Filmmaker (Complexfilms.com), Thomari Story-Harden, 8th round draftee Dodger’s first baseman and philanthropist for Teamavenuebaseball.com, Angela Armenakis, a starlet in the beauty industry, Vasiliki Karlin founder of Nayked Botanicals, the purest Skin, Hair & Body products and Jennifer Breton and Vernon Jones of Time Seal Cosmetics and miraculous concealer. Julio Flores of BlackStone® said, “Guests were ‘decked’ to the nines, the Moet Chandon Ice Imperial bubbled over with compliments of gourmet bites by Festabank and Chef Max.
The over two hundred, by-invitation-only guests were given a first hand reveal of the new 2015 70’ Pershing, making it’s US debut at the show! According to Captain Gary Goldman, Senior Sales Executive at The Ferretti Group,“there were several discreet emissaries from the Middle East and Italian cognoscenti assessing the suppleness of the hand stitched leather throughout the Pershing and Riva Yachts, and the hand crafted customized appointments, large hull side windows, and huge fold down “teak beaches”, all standard compliments of the Ferretti Yachts.”
Esteemed marine writer, Kevin Koenig identified leading trends that are rising to the top of many mariners’ lists. With the economy on the uptick and gas prices spiraling down center consoles are growing exponentially. Marine designers and enthusiasts agree it is less about the proportion between the length of the hull and the center console and more about a growing preference for outdoor ‘wind in your hair’ style of boating.
Catamarans are also gaining in popularity with their wider hulls and fly bridges combined with their increased, family friendly at-sea stability. Clever Koenig encouraged the curious to check out the ever growing number of catamarans that are on display saying, “Curiosity is not such a bad thing when it comes to ‘cats’.”
Koenig also sighted a trend toward ‘Keeping It Simple’. Cruising should be less about gadgetry and GPS's and more about dropping the anchor and reconnecting with friends, family and the planet. Like eco excursions, yoga spas and wellness retreats the appeal of powering down is growing in popularity for those seeking quality of life and ‘face time’ rather than socializing with 'selfies' on ‘Facebook’.
The sleekest design technology, innovation, luxury and performance is still to be enjoyed by the thousands of guests. Coupled with the allure and magical appeal of Miami Beach is it any wonder that the show attracts such a wealth of marine enthusiasts from around the bend and around the world?
The $15 million 108’ Ferretti Custom Line Yacht appeared at the top of many's Valentine wish list. Running concurrently with the Yacht & Brokerage Show, the NMMA’s Progressive Miami International Boat Show featured countless items on display with price points more within reach. From monogrammed deck ready fashion to hand tied fishing lures there was something that would make any nautical novice to a serious mariner swoon.
Located in the Miami Beach Convention Center, among several other area locations, this alternative water world had 3000 boats and 2000 exhibitors. From Aloe Infusion’s™ line of breakthrough skin care products fashioned from natural ingredients extracted in Clearwater, Florida to the other Florida natural; the crowd pleasing Papa’s Pilar Aged Rum mojitos were generously served on-the-house. Brand Ambassador, Pam Obando confirmed the delectable aged rum is named after Ernest Hemingway’s famed fishing trawler. "The Hemingway family honors their family tradition by donating their royalties to Florida Reef Restoration,” Pam confirmed.
For many, the highlight of the Convention floor was The Officer Snook Water Pollution Program. Officer Snook is a leader in Environmental Education and grand master of the department’s popular, educational brain teaser. The game tests the length of time it takes debris and garbage to disintegrate in our water ways. Diapers, plastic, cola cans and glass shards return to our eco system in a few weeks to up to 500 years.
Casting an ever wider net the event also includes other Miami International Boat Show locations with the New Yacht & Power Boat Show at Sea Isle Marina and Strictly Sail® at Miamarina in Bayside.
Is it any wonder that Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mikhail Gorbachev founder of Green Cross International in 1993, building upon the work started by the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil predicted “that water sustainability would be the biggest crisis facing our collective survival.” According to Scott Sevin, Assistant Director of the Coast Guard funded Officer Snook Water Pollution Program, “Exercising a bit of caution and ecological awareness along with spending significant time in the water, is what defines many Floridians."
For more info: www.fxcapitalfund.com
Photos by Tom Serio Photography
For more photos by Tom Serio of the Ferretti Gala, visit YouTube.com at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPOaKL01h_Y
Media Contact
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City: Ft Lauderdale
State: Florida
Country: United States
Website: http://www.alliedmarine.com/
