New superyacht exposition to be hosted at London’s Saatchi Gallery

2017 will see an exciting new addition to the superyacht calendar with the launch of SuperYacht Gallery, an innovative new high-end luxury exposition concept for the superyacht industry. Designed to inspire, educate and connect a new generation of superyacht clients, together with current yacht owners, their families and advisors, with the superyacht lifestyle the event will be held at London’s exclusive Saatchi Gallery from 1-3 June 2017.

SuperYacht Gallery is the vision of Merijn de Waard, managing director of SuperYacht Company, and Marijn Smit, former Manager Events & Multimedia at Feadship, and has already received the support of many of the industry’s biggest names including Lürssen, Benetti, Abeking & Rasmussen, Baglietto, Delta Marine, Winch Design, Espen Oeino, Bannenberg & Rowell, Claydon Reeves, Diana Yacht Design, Nuvolari Lenard, J.L. Coquet and D. Porthault.

Reaching out to a targeted audience of potential clients has long been one of the superyacht industry’s biggest challenges and this new event aims to present the one-of-a-kind world of superyachting in a fresh and exciting way that properly befits the incomparable experience that superyacht charter and ownership offer. Stepping away from the more traditional approach of trade shows and exhibitor stands, the event will create a visually striking gallery exposition that guides in the visitor through the entire superyacht lifestyle spectrum in an immersive and memorable way.

The overall visitor experience will be at the heart of every aspect of the event. “Many yachting events focus on selling space to exhibitors and completely forget about the visitor experience and attracting the right audience,” says Smit. “With Superyacht Gallery we did not want to create another mass event, but a high-quality and interesting exposition about the superyacht lifestyle; every aspect of the event has been planned with the visitors in mind.”

The exposition will feature a number of galleries, each with a different theme, that will both educate and inspire. These include: Imagination, focusing on the creation of a custom yacht; Exploration, taking a yacht off the beaten track and reaching unforgettable destinations; Performance, looking at high-speed motor and sail yachts like; and Innovation, looking at boundary-pushing superyachts and advanced thinking and technology.

Complementing the gallery set-up, the three-day exposition will also see workshops and seminars conducted by world-leading builders and designers, intended to both engage the audience through storytelling and inform by providing expert insight. To complete the package, the top floor of the Saatchi Gallery will play host to an exclusive VIP deck serving food and drinks with access limited only to VIP guests and event partners. Over the three days, several functions will be hosted including a VIP opening on the first evening and a preview for international and yachting media.

SuperYacht Company director and event co-founder Merijn de Waard is firm in his belief that the event will prove an invaluable addition to the superyacht industry. “From a very young age I have been passionate about superyachts and for me it is a dream come true to create this exposition,” says de Waard. “With SuperYacht Company’s background in creating content and our connections with both owners and professionals, along with our passion for superyachts, I am convinced this will be a unique and inspiring exposition”.

In order to advise the organisers a SuperYacht Gallery Committee will be established, consisting of approximately 12 superyacht owners who will work together with our team, to make sure the event exceeds the expectations of its visitors. 

As a high-end venue that corresponds with the exclusivity associated with the superyacht lifestyle Saatchi Gallery is the perfect venue for the inaugural SuperYacht Gallery event. Ideally situated in Chelsea the venue is just a short distance from Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Westminster and Belgravia. 

“I truly believe that we have to do things differently in this business and focus more on the needs and wishes of the (future) superyacht clients,” concludes de Waard. “SuperYacht Gallery does exactly that, as it is has been specifically designed as an event for clients, organised with the help of clients.”

If you want to become a partner of SuperYacht Gallery, or if you are interested in becoming a member of the SuperYacht Gallery Committee, then please contact Merijn and Marijn at:

Merijn de Waard

[email protected]

Marijn Smit

[email protected]