By Michael Howorth

With five months to go before the newly created Abu Dhabi Yacht Show opens in March 2009 the organisers Informa Yacht Group (IYG), the group behind the Monaco Yacht Show, has announced that 80% of 7,000 square meters of exhibition space has already sold out, suggesting that the region’s first superyacht show will introduce a new viewing concept to the rapidly developing luxury yacht market in the area.

The show will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), one of the world's most modern show venues, and especially constructed marina. 350-metres of quay wall will provide stern to berthing for at least 20 super yachts of 30 metres or more in length has been constructed in a channel adjacent to exhibition complex. The marina zone is part of the final phase of aUS$2.3bn investment to create a business centre and residential micro-city development that will, when completed, offer restaurants, shops, entertainment facilities and low-rise, sea-view marina homes.

Franck Dailles, Group Director for the show said, “This is a unique yachting event serving to provide an excellent networking platform for top yachting professionals and high net worth individuals to do business in a convivial atmosphere.” He told us, “Over 70 exhibitors are currently signed, representing shipyards, naval architects, marina developers, yacht brokers, designers and yacht service companies from all over the world.”

Those yachts that have confirmed their presence include the 88.5 metre yacht Lauren L owned and operated as a charter yacht by Liveras Yachts, WallyPower, the 36 metre high speed craft from Wally and the first of the 40 metre timeshare yachts from YachtPlus. Westport Yachts have confirmed they will exhibit a 40 metre yacht and Rodriguez will show a 31.4 metre Mangusta. Azimut plan on taking three yachts over 30 metres, ISA will have their 48 metre yacht on display together with fellow Italian builders Benetti who are bringing one of their 30 metre Tradition Class to the show. Locally built yachts will feature, with Gulf Craft stating that they will have three yachts in the show, including one of 31 metres and another of 37 metres.

Other exhibitors expected to confirm that they will have yachts in the water for the show include, Custom Line, Palmer Johnson and Sunseeker with brokers Burgess hoping to display a 65 metre yacht.

The by invitation-only show is expected to a very specific focus on superyachts, where the organisers hope to provide a show that is distinguishingly different from other yacht and boat shows across the globe.

Headline Sponsor for the show is the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority who seek to promote Abu Dhabi as an historic and well-established city with a rich and diverse culture, which because of its on the Gulf makes it an ideal platform for promoting the exclusivity, style and luxuriousness of the yachting experience expected by visitors at the show.

For more information and full exhibitor list, see www.abudhabiyachtshow.com