NZMEG chairman Owen Rutter, right, with fellow Event Clothing representative Duthie Lidgard
Chairman’s comments: Great NZ presence at MYS
Owen Rutter, New Zealand Marine Export Group (NZMEG) chairman, reports that September’s Monaco Yacht Show featured a very strong New Zealand presence.
“This year, with the change in New Zealand Trade & Enterprise funding, the boat show committee did an excellent job developing a fresh, new look for the New Zealand street – it was one of the best looking displays we’ve had,” says Rutter. “Monaco is the first of three international events where we work together under the NZMEG banner and, from all accounts, it was a very positive event.
“It was great to see Yacht Lifeline, with their new link with MedAire [see http://www.medaire.com/yachtlifeline/ for more details], move into one of the bigger sites and report they had a great show with strong business. North Sails joined us in ‘New Zealand Street’ for the first time, as did the international brand Harken. Both organisations enjoyed the great interaction that goes on with all the New Zealand companies particularly with major industry players such as Southern Spars, Yachting Developments, Fitzroy Yachts and McMullen & Wing. It was very common to see people walking between stands, introducing prospective customers to other Kiwi exhibitors. From Events Clothing’s point of view, Monaco is our number one show and we always enjoy talking with clients and contacts from around the world.”
Once again, the NZMEG companies hosted guests at an evening function. “This was one of our better parties I’d have to say, as it was a very popular function with many guests going on to other functions, then returning to ours later on. I also hear the Southern Spars’ breakfast was well received.”
From a business perspective, Rutter says the industry has moved on since the decrease three years ago. “It’s a little tricky to say at present, but it appears people accept there can be ups and downs in the financial markets without affecting our industry. Obviously there are issues in Europe to be worked on and we’ll all keep working to maximise all opportunities for business.”
Within NZMEG, there have been changes, reports Rutter. “NZMEG manager Jo Bridge is away on maternity leave and we send our congratulations to Jo and husband Anthony on the safe arrival of their twin girls Georgia and Chloe. We thank Tony Mitchell and Ned Wood for their service on the NZMEG board over the past year and we welcome Chris McMaster from Doyle Sails and Richard Thorpe from Oceanbridge Shipping to the board for the coming year. Chris and Richard join Stuart Robinson (Robinson Interiors), Garry Hassell (Hall Spars) and Andrew Liley (Stainless Downunder) Rodney Martin (Fitzroy Yachts) and Murray Mulcahy (Mulcahy Engineering) as our current board members, as we’ll confirm specific committee memberships and responsibilities at our first board meeting on 19 October.”
Rutter says he’s heard fantastic reports of the inaugural Superyacht Captains’ Forum. [See full report below.] “The feedback has been great and we thank organising committee chairman Garry Hassell and project manager Dima Ivanov for putting together an excellent programme which provided delegates with opportunities to learn, share and participate in worthwhile discussions. They have set a high standard for future events of this kind and the NZMEG board is keen to look other events like this in the future.
“Looking ahead, we have the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from 27 to 31 October and at METS from 15 to 17 November. Ned Wood, from Manson Anchors, has kindly agreed to continue co-ordinating various boat show activities with Stacey Hunter at NZ Marine to ensure this year’s shows run smoothly.
“We also have February’s New Zealand Millennium Cup to look forward to. Five superyachts have been confirmed to date; interestingly, four were built by Alloy Yachts, namely SY Janice of Wyoming, SY Imagine, SY Georgia, and SY Pacific Eagle, while our fifth confirmed entry, SY Silvertip, was also built in New Zealand by Yachting Developments and won the 2009 sailing of the Millennium Cup.
Rutter concludes: “It’s also good to see a continual stream of superyachts heading to New Zealand for summer cruising and maintenance work, with some having arrived a little earlier than usual for owners and guests to see some of the Rugby World Cup action. We wish them all an enjoyable stay in New Zealand.”
