The organisers of METSTRADE recently announced that this year’s DAME Design Awards will feature an unprecedented total of 67 nominated products. 117 entries were submitted from 26 countries around the world, with no cap on how many products can make it to the final nominations, the decision, instead, based purely on the quality of products on display.
METSTRADE state that this is a 10% increase in comparison to the 2015 edition of the Awards. Commenting after the nomination day, Bill Dixon, Chairman of the DAME Award jury and owner of Dixon Yacht Design, stated: “The fact that we nominated so many products this year illustrates the high quality of the items that were presented to us. It was also very encouraging to see a wide variety of entries, even within individual categories, submitted by the smallest firms to the largest marine businesses from right across the globe."
“Outside of boating we have lots of gadgets and consumer products that are incredibly easy to use", he continues. “It’s good to see marine products reflecting that now, often being more intuitive in the way that they work than before – that’s really important. With a wider less experienced customer base there must be a better way than having to read a detailed manual. In the marine industry we collectively need to make boating much more fun for the end user. To do that we need products that are interesting and that make boating easier, exciting, enjoyable, comfortable and less stressful. This year’s Nominations provide great cause for believing we are heading in the right direction.”
The DAME winners will be announced during the Breakfast Briefing in Amsterdam RAI on the opening day of METSTRADE 2016, taking place 15 to 17 November in the Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre.
The SuperYacht Times team will all be present during the Show, and are looking forward to hosting the only social event during the show: SuperYacht Night Amsterdam. With tickets selling fast, remember to purchase your tickets here to avoid disappointment.