Last year, Christie’s International Real Estate named the U.S. Virgin Islands on its list of ‘10 of the World’s Best Yachting Locations’* The USVI Charter Yacht Show, set for Nov. 11-14 at Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas, is oversubscribed with cutting-edge exhibiting yachts, and it is seeing record charter broker registration. One of the many vendors lining up to introduce their products to show attendees is Sydney, Australia-headquartered Ankor Software. Now with over 200 customers in 15 countries, Ankor will introduce its tailored solutions for brokers like YachtNoter, Yacht Showcase, Design Studio and Trips.
“We understand the frustrations of yacht charter professionals dealing with inadequate technology and services. Our mission is to democratize yachting so that small and medium-sized brokers can compete on a level playing field and provide that personal touch to their discerning clients. In the second part of this year, we have spent a lot of time and energy bringing three new products/services to market – YachtNoter, Yacht Showcase and Design Studio – along with significant improvements to Trips based on customer feedback. We look forward to attending the USVI Charter Yacht Show to learn more about the Caribbean market and introduce some of our most popular and newest tools,” said Erin Pavane, chief revenue officer.
YachtNoter is a mobile app to elevate a broker’s yacht inspection notes; Yacht Showcase is a time-saving tailor-made yacht presentation that entices bookings; Design Studio is a service where Ankor’s design team collaborates to create a customized yacht presentation; Trips is a high-graphic itinerary presentation tool. Ankor representatives will have a table at the show where they will conduct demos and help brokers download YachtNoter from their Apple/Android store to test it out during the show.
“Each year, the USVI Charter Yacht Show enables brokers to convene, to view the yachts we present to clients, meet the crews, and see what’s new. Additionally, we get an opportunity to meet with the sponsors and marine vendors to learn about new products which enhance our workflow and help to bring this industry into the modernized era of the latest and greatest technology,” said Casey Grimes, founder and chief executive officer of the Yacht Collective, St. Thomas, USVI.
“I’ve been a huge supporter of Ankor since their initial launch. Ankor’s Trips function provides customized itineraries for our clients in a highly presentable manner. We can make changes for the specific boat we are pitching and alter the itinerary for the charter client’s preferences while also getting the captain involved in the process. The system generates an interactive approach to the standardized pdf itinerary,” said Grimes.
What’s New – Maho Crew Returns as Uniform Sponsor and Mixology Competition Sponsor
Sharply-attired crew has long been a trademark of yachting. Maho Crew, the crew uniform division of Niantic, Connecticut-based Maho Apparel, will supply show attendees with its new private line of T-shirts, while show staff will wear polos from the Maho Crew collection.
“Beyond the show-supplied apparel, we will display a large selection of crew uniform apparel and accessories. Maho Crew is the official North American distributor for Marinepool, which has long been a premium marine clothing supplier in Europe. Maho Crew will now provide the full line of Marinepool apparel including crew wear, formal wear, offshore jackets, accessories, and more,” said Katie Norris, president of Maho Apparel LLC.
Maho Crew will sponsor the show’s Mixology Competition, with the winning crew receiving a set (12) of custom engraved tumblers and a customized charcuterie board.
Exhibiting yachts can register for the mixology competition at: www.usviyachtshow.org/mixology-competition/
Sneak Peek @ Who’s Attending
A full capacity of over 70 yachts ranging in size from 42’ to over 105’, both power and sail, multihulls and monohulls, will be on display at Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas, for the show. One of these is the Lagoon 630 power catamaran, Hülya. Meaning “daydream” in Turkish, this adventure-style vessel is loaded for fun outdoors with a fleet of water toys and many creature comforts inside.
Attending this year’s boat show is of paramount importance because it is a golden opportunity to introduce ourselves, the Hülya crew, and our passion for the ocean to brokers and potential clients,” said Hannah Patten, chef/mate, who is owner-operator with captain John Garza.
A new chef, an investment in top-of-the-line wakeboards, the acquisition of a fleet of high-quality e-scooters for exploring ashore, an upgrade to DaFin snorkel equipment, and a brand-new air-conditioning system will be on display aboard Hülya.
Register Now!
Yachts can register at www.usviyachtshow.org/register/ with slip space available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but already with a waiting list.
Brokers can also register at www.usviyachtshow.org/register/.
The show is open for registration by all yacht charter brokers and marine vendors, both members and non-members, but is free for VIPCA members to attend. VIPCA membership offers additional year-round benefits including advertising opportunities and the latest industry updates, plus supports the association’s year-round work. Yacht show attendees can receive a discounted rate of $244 per night on accommodations at Bluebeard’s Castle by booking by phone and giving the discount code ‘VIPCA Yacht Show.’ A daily shuttle service will offer easy access to and from the marina.
Strong Sponsor Support
Sponsors of the USVI Charter Yacht Show include the USVI Department of Tourism; Yacht Haven Grande; IGY Marinas; Mango Media; Catamaran Central; the Gowrie Group representing Trawick and Cigna; Grey Goose, distributed by West Indies Company; Veuve Clicquot and Captain Morgan, distributed by Bellows International; VIYA Business Solutions; Cardow Jewelers; Yachtly; Ankor Software; Rockvision; Moe’s Fresh Market; The Market; Maho Crew; Offshore Marine; Parts & Power Ltd., distributor of Northern Lights; Island Life Watersports; Seachange; and the Charter Yacht Broker Association.
For more information about the USVI Charter Yacht Show, visit www.usviyachtshow.org. For information about VIPCA and its programs, visit www.VIPCA.org or email: info@vipca.org or call 642-0656
www.christiesrealestate.com/blog/9-of-the-worlds-best-yachting-locations/
