Countdown to a safe, successful and realistic METSTRADE 2021

As one of the first global leisure marine shows to reopen its doors, METSTRADE 2021 promises to be a special moment. From 16 to 18 November, RAI Amsterdam will host the physical reunion of the industry after over 1,5 years of virtual meetings. METSTRADE 2021 will be a genuinely hybrid event including three full days of live broadcasts via the all-new METSTRADE TV.

As conditions improve on a daily basis and vaccination rates soar across Europe, METSTRADE 2021 will benefit from the RAI’s industry-leading COVID-19 protocol for face-to-face meetings. “The main goal of RAI Amsterdam and our partner ICOMIA is to create a safe, successful and realistic gathering of the leisure marine industry,” says METSTRADE director Niels Klarenbeek. “The enormous appetite among exhibitors and visitors to come together again in Amsterdam has been both inspiring and humbling.”

Klarenbeek is also encouraged by the large number of exhibitor applications, which has now topped the 1,300 mark. “We see hardly any changes in terms of participation from all across Europe and North America. Exhibitors from other markets are being very creative to ensure representation on the exhibition floor, underlining the fact that METSTRADE 2021 will be a truly global show again.”

One-year floor plan

As a consequence of the challenges caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, METSTRADE 2021 will be held at the Europa Complex (Hall 1-7, Europa Foyer & Elicium) of RAI Amsterdam. “We will have a one-year floor plan that will enable us to welcome almost as many exhibitors as the record-breaking 2019 show,” explains Klarenbeek. “A degree of reallocation was inevitable and exhibitors will start receiving their stand allocations in July.”

The temporary layout ensures a safe and easy-to-navigate trade show. It features a smart use of floor space and together with the state-of-the-art extension to Hall 5, completed in 2020, will ensure a first-class trade show in every respect. In addition to all the country pavilions, the specialised SuperYacht Pavilion (SYP), Marina & Yard Pavilion (MYP) and Construction Material Pavilion (CMP) have all been well accommodated. The Superyacht Forum will take place from 15 to 17 November while other partners such as HISWA-RECRON, Global Marina Institute and NMEA also intend to organise events again at METSTRADE 2021.

New: METSTRADE TV live

The hybrid nature of the event will ensure a second stream of visitors have the opportunity to enjoy METSTRADE from their home or office via the METSTRADE Connect platform. This online participation will be significantly enhanced by the introduction of METSTRADE TV, broadcast live and on the internet from a special studio in Hall 6.

Pernille La Lau, who successfully anchored the virtual METSTRADE event last December, will host a wide variety of programmes over the three days of the exhibition. These will include interviews with leading lights of the industry, expert panels discussing the latest developments and live reports from the exhibition floor. Crucially, METSTRADE TV will offer regular opportunities for interaction with the worldwide audience who can contribute questions that will be answered by experts on the ground in Amsterdam. The feed will also be available on the devices of visitors at the show and broadcast on screens in the catering areas. A wealth of content will be created with ICOMIA, IBI, The Superyacht Group, Marina World magazine, Soundings Trade Only, Professional Boat Builder and the Water Revolution Foundation. The comprehensive programme will also feature the 30st DAME Awards Competition, a series of TechTalks, sustainability sessions and a retrospect of the Boat Builders Awards ceremony.

The preliminary schedule is available here.

Making connections through METSTRADE Connect

All attendees, in-person and online, will have access to the online METSTRADE Connect platform, which will include exhibitor profiles. In addition, they will be able to see who else is joining and easily make contact with them, including prior to and after the event. The algorithms behind the Connect platform will make recommendations based on that professional profile. METSTRADE Connect also allows the attendees to make a personalised agenda, set up appointments and enjoy a livestream of METSTRADE TV.

“Taken as a whole, all these innovative tools and content will ensure exhibitors and visitors alike gain maximum efficiency from their visit to Amsterdam,” adds Klarenbeek. “There is a tangible desire within the industry to meet in-person and discuss issues they’ve experienced such as disrupted supply chains. We know the audience requires the proper tools to make the most of their trip and both the RAI and the METSTRADE team are doing everything in their power to deliver them.”

Safe and secure

While external developments in terms of the pandemic are moving in the right direction, this year’s show will be organised in accordance with RAI’s stringent COVID-19 Protocol. “As a venue the RAI is ready to work with the EU’s Digital COVID Certificate (DCC),” concludes Klarenbeek. “This will ensure RAI Amsterdam is a safe venue and that METSTRADE 2021 is a successful and pleasurable experience for the many thousands of exhibitors and visitors.”