Join us for the 3rd Annual Women in the Marine Industry International event at METSTRADE 2024! This dynamic panel will feature visionary female leaders from across the globe, exploring the theme: “Visions of the Future: The Impact of Technology, AI, and People on the Future of Work.” Enjoy thought-provoking, inspiring discussions, networking, and a light breakfast at the METSTRADE main stage. The event is produced by British Marine, the Soundings Trade Only Group, Marine Industry News and METSTRADE.
Please register to this event by sending an email to mets@britishmarine.co.uk with your full name, company name and your email address and we will add you to the registration list.

Women in the Marine Industry International

Hosted by Soundings Trade Only.
We’re pleased to invite all attendees and exhibitors to an exclusive and game-changing session where Michele Goldsmith, Vice President and General Manager of the Soundings Trade Only group, will reveal the highly anticipated results of the 2024 Marine Industry Global Workplace Study.
This marks the first time a global coalition of marine companies, associations, and media joined forces to dive deep into the workforce challenges and opportunities facing our industry. This groundbreaking study is set to redefine how we attract, retain, and develop top talent.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the conversation shaping the future of marine professionals worldwide. Be the first to access these powerful insights that will propel your business forward!

Unlock the Future of the Marine Industry Workplace at METSTRADE!

Michele J. Goldsmith is a seeker, artist, and marine media and industry leader. With a passion to connect and inform the recreational marine community. Michele utilizes media tools to drive progress and foster innovation. She is the vice president and general manager of the Soundings Trade Only group, the leading marine business-to-business multi-media brand, which is part of Active Interest Media. Her marine industry experience includes manufacturing operations, product development, and marketing and sales management roles to the OEM, aftermarket, domestic and international sectors.  Michele’s impact extends beyond her professional roles, as she has actively served the marine industry on the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) board of directors and its executive board, as chairperson of the NMMA MACD board of directors, on the Grow Boating and NMMA PAC board of directors, and the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) technical board of directors. Notably, she was honoured with the 2023 Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year award and the 2024 Alan J. Freedman award presented by the NMMA for outstanding contributions to the marine accessories industry through leadership, creativity, and personal motivation.

Vice President and General Manager

EMEA Marine Segment Director

Toro Data Systems

Head of Intelligence

Lift Ocean

Senior Project Manager Presso MARIN

Nico has a background in design engineering and has developed many skills in project management. He has 12 years of experience in designing, manufacturing and delivering composite marine applications for the marine industry.

Marine sales Lead

Director Application Engineering Marine

HEOL Composites

Idan Cohen founded Pick A Pier in 2017 to create a digital infrastructure that helps marinas optimize resources, boost profitability, and enhance sustainability. As Chairman of IMIA, he leads marine innovation initiatives. Pick A Pier now partners with marinas in over 10 countries, driving efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Founder & CEO

Vice President, North American Marketing

Anne Dunbar is the Executive Director of the International Boatbuilders' Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), North America’s largest technical marine trade show. With over 30 years of experience in the marine industry, Anne is at the helm of IBEX, guiding its strategic direction, fostering innovation, and ensuring the event remains the premier platform for showcasing the latest products, materials, and technologies shaping the future of boating. Her leadership is instrumental in maintaining IBEX’s sustained growth and its competitive edge in the global marine industry.

Executive Director, Former President of IFBSO

CEO 11th hour racing

CEO Edorado

Based in AkzoNobel’s headquarters in Amsterdam, Jemma leads the global business for the Yacht Coatings unit, including internationally recognised brands Awlgrip, Interlux, International, and Sea Hawk. Jemma is also on the global leadership team for AkzoNobel's Marine, Protective and Yacht (MPY) Business Unit. Having joined the company in 2015 after eight years in marketing research and consulting, Jemma has since held various marketing and commercial positions at AkzoNobel. Before taking over the Yacht Coatings business in early 2022, she was responsible for the Aerospace Coatings business in Asia-Pacific and has worked for AkzoNobel in Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Global business director

Alinghi RedBull Racing Simulation Engineer

Sales Manager

CEO/Co-Founder

GM Persico Marine

Technical Director

Promotinf composites and organizing the leading global event of composite materials every year in Paris, JEC World

President

CEO Gerris Boats

SuMoth Challenge Founder

Rhoda Schnitzer is the Leadership & Culture Director at Lippert EMEA, with over thirteen years of experience in human resources, specialising in leadership development and employee engagement. Rhoda’s global experience spans across Europe, Asia, and North America, where she has worked with diverse, multicultural teams for multinational corporations. A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and women’s leadership, Rhoda is dedicated to fostering inclusive work environments and empowering future leaders.

Leadership & Culture Director

Patty Lawrence has been in the marine industry for 14 years and served on various sailing boards since 1999. She is a life-long sailor and former teacher. As IBEX’s Education Director, her role includes planning the content for the seminar, Main Stage, and pre-conference programs.

Education Director

Sustainability Manager

With over 22 years of experience in boat and component certification, Ulrich Manigel represents IMCI as General Manager. His activities include participation as expert at various ISO working groups, representing IMCI at RSG meetings, giving lectures and workshops about CE certification of boats and components. Beside this, he serves also an NMMA inspector in EU.
Further to this, he is the first chair of the German Surveyor’s Association, VBS e.V.
 
Ulrich holds a degree as master craft boatbuilder, knowing the recreational craft industry over 30 years from scratch. He is also a certified quality manager and auditor for ISO 9001 and internal auditor for laboratories according to ISO 17025.

General Manager / CE & NMMA Inspector

Co-Founder

Founder Vento di Venezia srl.

Editorial Director

Senior project manager

Account Manager

Head of Sustainability and Chair IMEC

Gary Reich’s Bio: Gary Reich has nearly 35 years of experience in the marine industry. He transitioned to publishing from marine sales in 2002. Reich has been an editor at Waterway Guide, PropTalk and Soundings magazines and Anglers Journal. He was appointed as editor-in-chief of Soundings Trade Only in 2022.

Editor-in-Chief

Helena Lennerstedt is the CEO of Humphree, a leading Swedish marine technology company specialising in trim and stabilization systems for boats. Appointed in January 2023, Helena brings a wealth of experience from the Swedish industry, having held key leadership roles, including Vice President of Purchasing at Volvo Penta. With a master’s degree in engineering from Linköping University and additional studies in International Business, Helena is committed to building diverse teams and driving innovation in the marine sector. Her career is marked by a curiosity for new challenges and a strong focus on transformational leadership.

Kate Holden has been part of the marine industry for 26 years, working primarily in the B2B side of the industry. She has held roles in publishing, sales, marketing, and event management. As IBEX’s Marketing & Communication Director her role includes setting strategy for acquisition, reporting and analyzing show data, and developing and execute the branding and global presence for IBEX.

Marketing & Communication Director

General Manager

Principal Caponnetto-Hueber

Partnerships Manager

Darren Vaux is President of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), which represents the global recreational marine industry. He is also a Life Member, past President and current Director of the Boating Industry Association of Australia (BIA), and Chairman of the Ministerial Maritime Advisory Council in Australia. In his private capacity, Darren is the Owner and Managing Director of the Empire Marinas Group, and was the first franchisee of Freedom Boat Club in Australia. 
With over 35 years’ experience in the property and marina industries, Darren has a deep understanding of government policy frameworks in the marine industry and is passionate about sharing and using this expertise to drive change through embracing financial and environmental sustainability, technology and innovation.

Gabbi Richardson is the founder of Yachting Ventures, a pioneering global platform dedicated to supporting startups in the leisure marine sector. Before establishing Yachting Ventures, Gabbi honed her expertise at a venture capital-backed tech startup in London, where she worked closely with accelerators and investors to streamline the fundraising process. Her entrepreneurial spirit and deep understanding of the startup ecosystem drive her commitment to fostering innovation and growth within the marine industry.

Innovamarina

Founder

Innovation Project Manager

Team Leader PoliMi Sailing

Niels Klarenbeek has managed the METSTRADE team since early 2020, overseeing the strategy and growth of the world’s leading B2B event for the recreational marine industry.
He also serves as President of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO), where he promotes an agenda focused on making boat shows more inclusive, sustainable and engaging.

Director METSTRADE | President IFBSO

VP Innovation and Sustainability

James founded the business in 2003 whilst working in the marine industry as a boatbuilder - having recognised the need for a specialist leisure marine recruitment company with the ability to speak with clients and candiates at an industry and technical level. James has maintained this ethos ever since, whilst maintaining his passion to deliver a personalised service of excellence and honesty to meet the needs of every individual client.

Business Development

Mary Velline came to the marine industry having transitioned from a distinguished career in the automotive and fire, rescue, and EMS sectors. As the former Senior Vice President of Business Development for MADA, Director of the Twin Cities Auto Show and Group Show Manager at Cygnus Business Media, she has a proven track record in revitalizing businesses and forging impactful partnerships.

Show Director

Cindy is from the Netherlands, where she studied in Amsterdam and obtained a Masters in Artificial Intelligence.
She started sailing at a young age, and through university she worked as a skipper on sailing yachts, where she experienced many of the inefficiencies in the yacht charter industry first hand.
Besides sailing she is passionate about cycling, hiking and trail running, and when she is not working you will most likely find her in the mountains with her bicycle!
With her skills as software engineer, her 5+ years of experience as a skipper and her vision for Floatist she set out to solve the many challenges yacht charter operators face on a day to day basis.

Co-Founder / CEO

Team Leader

As Managing Director for Marina Projects, Mike heads up the consultancy and has an involvement in every project undertaken by the company. He is qualified in civil engineering, with an extensive project management background and has over 35 years’ experience in all aspects of the delivery of marinas and marine construction works, including site appraisal, conceptual design, master planning, procurement, pontoon installations, dredging, environmental/legislative issues, business case and viability studies. He has particular skill in identifying a concise scope of work that will meet the project requirements and the delivery of clearly structured and strategic guidance and advice to the client.
Mike has significant experience in the preparation and development of business case analyses and viability studies.  He applies his logical approach and breadth of industry knowledge to the provision of strategic, well considered and evidence-based advice that enables clients to make soundly based investment decisions.
Marina Projects has a proven and unparalleled track record of securing consents for marine related projects in sensitive sites and unlocking the potential for marine leisure use and Mike has had responsibility for all of the consent work undertaken by Marina Projects. He has a depth of knowledge of the complex consent regime borne out of 25 years involvement in this area and enjoys key relationships across the industry.

Managing Director

Superyacht Project manager

Marco, a lifelong boating enthusiast and catamaran owner, has crossed the Atlantic and spent longer periods navigating the Caribbean—experiences that sparked his passion for advancing boat design and operation. In 2018, driven to transform the marine industry with electric and hybrid propulsion, he partnered with EPTechnologies. With expertise in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and a background as an airline pilot, Marco is committed to designing innovative, efficient systems with robust backups to enhance vessel performance and operator satisfaction. Marco’s dedication makes him a voice in today’s discussion on the future of propulsion. He’ll be sharing his insights on how eFuels and electric propulsion can coexist, and the infrastructure adaptations required to support this evolving landscape in the industry.

COO & Co-owner

Terry Hutchinson is a distinguished American sailor and a veteran America’s Cup competitor with participation in six America’s Cup cycles. He notably served as a winning tactician in the Louis Vuitton Cup, and now includes serving as President of Sailing Operations and Skipper for NYYC American Magic. With seventeen World Championship titles and multiple North American and National Championships, he has left an indelible mark on the world of competitive sailing. He is a two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year and has received numerous accolades for his sailing prowess. A proud alumnus of Old Dominion University, Terry continues to inspire and lead in the sport of sailing.

President of Sailing Operations/Skipper

Sales Director

Co-founder

Robert Newsome is the Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), responsible for overall organizational operations, alignment of strategy in support of the recreational marine industry, membership and member engagement, human resources, technology, the Marine Industry Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) program, and product certification (NMMA Certified) programs for boats, yachts, PWC, marine oils and boat trailers.
Robert is the past Chairperson of the National Safe Boating Council, serves on the Board of Directors of the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) and the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA), and on the National Safe Boating Advisory Committee (NBSAC) by appointment of the Secretary of Homeland Security.  He has extensive experience in representing the marine industry in standards development and safety issues through numerous committees of ABYC, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Robert has authored and presented on numerous industry, economic, boating experience and safety topics prevalent to today’s recreational marine industry, and serves as a spokesperson for the Discover Boating program.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame.  Today, he continues his education on operational and technology strategic excellence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 
Robert is an avid power boater, fisherman and a life-long sailor on Lake Michigan and the lakes of the Midwest.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) & Senior Vice President of Operations

I started my career at the Maritime Institute Willem Barentsz in the Netherlands, graduating as Maritime Officer. After a short period serving as engineer on board both seagoning and inland vessels I've been working for the Netherlands Shipping Inspectorate as Flagstate Control and Port State Control Officer and Accident Investigator. After that I had a positition as Maritime Accidnet Investigator with the Dutch Safety Board for 4 years, before I started working as a Human Factor Specialist at Marin. In the meanwhile I started a master study in Risk Management in order to close the gap between maritime operational knowledge and experience and Human Performance

Specialist Human Factors

President, Navico Group and Chief Technology Officer

General Manager Three 60° Srl

CEO Oceanflight Technologies

Creative Director

Philip Easthill is the Secretary-General of European Boating Industry (EBI), which represents the European recreational boating and nautical tourism industry. The mission of the association is to advance and represent a sustainable boating and nautical tourism industry #MadeInEurope. Key topics that EBI is working on at a policy level and in cooperation with its members are sustainability, circular economy, tourism, taxation, qualifications, access to finance, and international trade.
He has been in the position since September 2019 and previously worked in Public Affairs and Regulatory Affairs at EU level. With an academic background in Politics and Business Management, he is also an avid sailor and worked in the nautical tourism industry previously. Philip Easthill represents the industry towards the EU institutions, as well as in high-level fora and Expert Groups relevant for the sector.

Secretary General

Sophi Horne is a Norwegian designer and the originator of the initial Racebird concept. Her career started in the marine industry designing interiors for superyachts at SH Maritime. Driven by a desire to make leisure boating much more accessible, she went on to create Seabird Technologies which has since overseen the design and build process of the innovative electric foiling raceboat used in E1.

Director of Water Mobility Mer Concept

Partner

Principal

Business Development C-Tech Composites

Frederike Volmer entered the marine industry in 2022, building on her background in hospitality and event sales. She is a member of both the METSTRADE and IBEX teams, giving her valuable exposure to the international market. At IBEX, she is responsible for international sales including managing the international pavilions.

International Sales

Weight Controls, Ineos Britannia

Director Propulsion Technology

Head of Development

Mechatronics Engineer

Executive Chairman

Simon has been a Project Manager with Marina Projects for 8 years, providing specialist marina consultancy to a range of national & international clients from both private & commercial organisations to government bodies. As an experienced yacht charter captain qualified in environmental science and geography, Simon has a wealth of operational experience in the marine leisure industry. He is a highly motivated team member, who has a detailed and focused work ethic.  Having worked in the marine leisure industry in a variety of capacities, he understands the importance of delivering exceptional customer service and maintaining high standards.
Simon has managed charter yachts in a variety of worldwide locations, Caribbean and Mediterranean, creating a specialist knowledge of marina operations.  This experience has meant he has developed an ability to problem solve and identify what is required to create successful marina developments.

Director

COO Amanufacture

Content Director

CEO Group Beneteau

Rise Institute

ICOMIA Confindustria Nautica

Tenair

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