Buzzing on full power

The world’s largest leisure marine equipment trade exhibition once again sprang to life 15th-17th November with the welcome buzz of thousands of industry professionals gathering from around the globe for meetings, research, networking and much-missed socialising.

Metstrade 2022 showcased a total of 1,400 exhibitors from 49 countries across ten halls at Amsterdam RAI covering every facet of marine equipment, systems and materials. The Marina & Yard Pavilion (MYP) comprised over 50 international exhibitors. Given ongoing travel restrictions in some parts of Asia, the base of companies and products on display throughout the show was equitable with the impressively broad reach of the 2019 event, which hit new records.
A thriving Young Professionals Club, glittering Boat Builder Awards event and first-for-show Women in Marine Industry breakfast networking session were significant highlights, complemented by the programme of panel discussions held in the theatre in the newly styled Hall 13. Unmissable, given its core location, the stage was used for a busy series of presentations with good audiences engaging with key topics of the day. Two topics, hosted by Marina World, were very well attended (see separate articles).
Metstrade also saw the welcome return of associated programmes including the 30th anniversary of the SuperYacht Forum Live, International HISWA Symposium, HISWA Marina Symposium and NMEA.
Tech Talks, conferences, show talk and general exhibitor and visitor feedback pointed to specific key trends for 2022/23 as the industry rebuilds after the pandemic. These were highlighted as: greater integration and collaboration; sustainability; the offering of complete ‘plug & play’ systems; and a focus on shortening supply chains.
Products from 48 winners and nominees of the 2022 DAME Design Awards were displayed alongside the theatre, and the award presentations took their usual star turn at the Breakfast Briefing before the show opened on Tuesday 15th November. The RescueME PLB3 AIS personal locator beacon from Ocean Signal won the DAME Award. In the marina sector, products from GH Cranes and Aqua superPower were amongst the 48 nominees and Aqua superPower’s marina fast charging system was awarded a Special Mention.
The Marina World team was pleased to welcome exhibitors and visitors to join them on the Marina World stand in the MYP for Waterfront Drinks & Networking on Wednesday 16th; a great opportunity to reunite, exchange news and socialise.
Niels Klarenbeek, maritime director Metstrade, was delighted with the event and very proud of the efficient team that made the all-important 2022 event such a success. “There has been an incredible amount of work happening behind the scenes this year. We wanted to ensure that Metstrade was completely fit for purpose in resuming its critical role as the epicentre for the whole global marine leisure sector during three very busy days in Amsterdam,” he said after the show closed. “The feedback we have received suggests those efforts have paid off, with exhibitors and visitors able to take maximum advantage of meeting up together again. It was incredible to witness large numbers of visitors gathering even before the show opened each morning and to hear the buzz of conversations and business being made around the many stands and meeting spaces right across the show.”
Metstrade 2023, in a break from the normal Tuesday to Thursday timeline, will be held from Wednesday 15th November through to Friday 17th November.