As new owners of the Newport Charter Yacht Show, the Newport Harbor Corporation wants to give back to the marine community and has announced its official charitable partner of 2012 as humanitarian organization YachtAid Global© (YAG). The Newport show, now in its 30th year, is the only one of its kind in the U.S. and will be held June 18-21 at the Newport Yachting Center in historic downtown Newport, R.I. The four-day event will host industry professionals and consumers (attending with brokers) and showcase world-class charter yachts – ranging from 50 to 200 feet – as well as ancillary boating goods, services and educational information.
YachtAid Global, a non-profit organization that coordinates the delivery of humanitarian aid aboard superyachts cruising to isolated regions, consists of a network of over a 500 yachting industry professionals including superyacht owners, captains, crew, agents and brokers.
“For the Newport Harbor Corporation, this is a very simple equation,” said event chair and Director of the Newport Exhibition Group Tom DeLotto. “If, through our support of YachtAid Global, the organization is able to make connections with owners and yacht captains who are willing to provide help, then everyone wins.”
Since its inception in 2006, YachtAid Global has successfully delivered aid to over 45 beneficiary locations in 13 countries; 38 luxury yachts have been involved with 385 crew volunteering their time and expertise to move aid to over 1800 children. Beneficiary locations span from 52 degrees south to 57 degrees north.
While the organization continues to orchestrate the delivery of aid to new regions, founder Mark Drewelow has new goals for this year, which he plans to release at the Newport show.
“YachtAid Global is growing pretty rapidly, and we are looking at ways to harness our growth for maximum impact. Our primary internal focus is building a Founding Members Board that will provide enhanced leadership and help us develop consistent funding to take our charity to the next level,” said Drewelow.
As the Newport Charter Yacht Show charitable partner, YachtAid Global will have a consistent presence at the event. A brief presentation will be featured at the Captain's Briefing on June 17 and the Welcome Reception on June 18 to educate the audience on how superyacht owners and crews are increasingly cruising with a charitable cause and provide more information on the Founding Members Board.
“I met Mark at the Antigua Yacht Charter Show in December and was impressed with his vision and passion for executing that vision,” said DeLotto. “Supporting a worthy cause with the sole mission of providing aid to communities that lack resources-even in remote areas and those experiencing natural disasters-is the best and most direct way we can think of to make a difference in the world today.”
YachtAid Global
+1 619 630 4626
[email protected]
www.iYAG.net
Newport Exhibition Group
Tom Delotto
+1 401 846 1115
[email protected]
www.newportexhibition.com