The countdown has begun for the Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement 2017. For the third year in a row IBI and the RAI, organisers of METSTRADE, will present a spectacular evening for the industry’s elite at the National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam on November 15.
Raymarine returns as headline sponsor
Once again headline sponsored by Raymarine, awards will be presented in eight categories: Retail marketing initiative; International distributor/dealer development; Boat builder and equipment manufacturer collaborative solution; Innovative on-board design solution; Innovation in a production process; Environmental initiative award; Best apprenticeship and training scheme; and the Lifetime achievement award. We welcome back this year Ultraflex, Dometic, Lumishore, Fusion, Marine Resources and Side-Power as award category sponsors.
Recognition of key players taking our business forward
“It’s great to be back and once again celebrating the skills and diversities of the boating industry,” said IBI’s Publishing Director Nick Hopkinson. “As the recovery gathers momentum, innovation has never been greater or more vital to our future success. These awards have always been about recognising those key players taking our business forward. We welcome the opportunity again this year to celebrate those pioneers.”
Industry's premier business award
With luxury canal cruisers ferrying guests direct from the RAI exhibition centre on the night, the evening kicks off with welcome drinks at 7.30 pm followed by live entertainment, a three-course dinner and the awards ceremony itself. “We’re expecting over 300 guests in what promises to be a dazzling evening,” added Irene Dros, Group Director Maritime for RAI Amsterdam. “The event has quickly established itself as the industry’s premiere award, focusing as it does purely on the nuts and bolts of our business rather than on the boats themselves. We’re truly excited about hosting this, the third edition.”
Lifetime Achievement Award Winners Robert Braithwaite and Paolo Vitelli
“In 2016, our founder Robert Braithwaite was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, the most prestigious accolade at the Boat Builder Awards and one which was warmly celebrated by every employee. We very much look forward to attending this year’s event during th METSTRADE Show which recognises the exceptionally high standard of design, innovation and creativity that is found every day in the marine industry.” Phil Popham, CEO of Sunseeker International
“To get the Boat Builder Awards was a special honour, because this award is given by the industry itself and not only by a well reputed media. The qualified jury in fact is made up of long experienced journalists and experts of the yachting business...” Paolo Vitelli, Lifetime Achievement award winner, 2015.
Nominations and ticket sales
Nominations will open when the new Boat Builder Awards website goes live in July. As in previous years, the nominations will be collated in early October to be considered by our group of international judges that includes naval architects, industry veterans and respected journalists and editors from the world of yachting. Shortlisted finalists will be contacted mid-October, before the winners are revealed on the night.
Tickets will go on sale via the website Boatbuilderawards.com in July. Discounts will be available for group bookings and it’s advised that interested parties book early to avoid disappointment.
About the Boat Builder Business Achievement Awards
The IBI METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement are organised jointly by METSTRADE Show organiser RAI Amsterdam and IBI publisher Boating Communications Ltd.
METSTRADE is the world’s leading platform for professionals in the leisure marine equipment industry with its flagship event METSTRADE Show; the largest trade exhibition of equipment, materials and systems for the international leisure marine industry worldwide.
International Boat Industry (IBI) is the leading business-to-business magazine and website (IBI-plus.com) covering the global recreational marine trade. The magazine and its related daily newsletter, IBI-plus.com, are received by over 14,000 professionals in the industry.
